DELHI CENTRIC INDIA

DELHI CENTRIC INDIA

Musings on Republic Day

Spinning Yarns

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer: This yarn is a spoof. Please read this post only if you have a sense of humour. So first convince yourself that you have a sense of humour and only then read the post, take it with a pinch of salt, and have a laugh.

Many years ago, when I was “greenhorn Subbie” in the Navy, we had a senior who possessed a delightful sense of humour.

He would keep us regaled with his amusing observations and witty comments, sometimes laced with delicious incisive barbs and sharp satiric wit.

This witty raconteur was a true seadog and whenever he spoke everyone listened with rapt attention.

Once during our customary make-and-mend elbow bending in the wardroom he asked us: “How many commands are there in the navy?”

“Three,” we all answered in unison, referring to the Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands, which were the sentinels of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean respectively, the waters around the three seaboards surrounding the Indian peninsula.

“You’re wrong,” he said, “you have forgotten the most important naval command – the Northern Naval Command.”

“The Northern Naval Command?” we asked in surprise.

“Yes. The Northern Naval Command at Delhi. You will understand what I am saying when you grow senior in service,” he said and he suddenly downed his glass of beer down-the-hatch and walked off.

Later when I was posted to Delhi, I understood what he had said.

Indeed there seemed to be more “brass” in landlocked Delhi than on the high seas or on the sea shores.

There were a large number of “landlubber sailors” who spent most of the naval career pushing files in Delhi rather than sailing on the high seas.

These officers did go for sea tenures but they just did the minimum specified sea-time required for promotion and soon were back at their desks in Delhi.

Careerwise, these Delhi-Centric “sailors” did much better than the true-blue sailors slogging it out at sea or on the seashores. If you were in Delhi you were in the “know of things” and it was easier for you to “work” the system and get yourself promoted.

For all you know, if this Delhi Centric trend continues, a day may come when the number of Admirals sitting in Delhi may outnumber the number of Admirals posted all over in the rest of India.

I realized that the power centre of the Navy was in Delhi and sailors at sea did not matter much.

As I said, if you were in Delhi you were in the “know of things”.

To me, it seemed to be a “Delhi Centric” Navy. 

The fact that the navy is associated with the sea was almost forgotten by these “Delhi Centric Sailors” since the blue sea was a long way off almost two thousand kilometres away from Delhi.

Soon I realized that this Delhi-Centrism applied not only the Navy but almost everything seemed to be “Delhi Centric”.

Yes, India is an increasingly Delhi-Centric Country even now.

Look at the electronic media, for example. Just switch on any mainstream news channel on your TV and you will see how Delhi Centric the coverage is.

Delhi gets top priority in each and everything – sports, modernisation, even welfare schemes like Aadhaar Based Cash Transfer starts from Delhi, whereas most of the intended beneficiaries may be located in remote areas of the hinterland.

This Delhi Centric thinking seems to be the reason for many of our shortcomings and deficiencies.

Let us take the example of ex-servicemen.

Whereas most of our soldiers come from rural areas, all facilities are concentrated in Delhi.

Retired Soldiers (ex servicemen) are entitled to many benefits.

However most of these benefits remain on paper and cannot be availed of by the intended beneficiaries.

This is because most ex servicemen live in villages and towns in the moffusil areas and they have no access to the various facilities created for ex-servicemen like CSD Canteens, ECHS Hospitals, Social Amenities, Housing Schemes, Welfare Programs, Re-employment, Rehabilitation etc.

But if you live in Delhi you have the best of CSD Canteens and Top Class Medical Facilities at the most modern Military Hospitals at your disposal. Since the decision making is centralized in Delhi obviously the administration will be Delhi Centric.

If you live in Delhi you can avail of various Social Amenities, Ex Servicemen’s Housing Schemes and other welfare facilities since most of these are concentrated in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR)

Even while serving, it is better to be in Delhi because you can get many things done through the “Delhi Network”.

Let me give you one more example of Delhi-Centrism.

I am of an academic bent of mind.

Long back, more than 30 years ago, when I was posted in Delhi, I became a life member of an academic institution called the United Service Institution of India (USI).

USI, located in Delhi, had an excellent library which I fully made use of since I was an avid reader. I also attended many lectures, seminars and academic events organised by USI in Delhi.

After that I was never posted to Delhi again and my only connection with this august institution is the quarterly USI journal they send me by post.

The USI organises a number of academic events, lectures, seminars and has excellent facilities for study, research and recreation, but despite being a life member, I am deprived of the same since you can enjoy these events and facilities only if you live in Delhi.

Service officers, serving and retired, live all over India.

So I wrote to the USI a number of times asking them to open regional centres and organise events in other places too.

I got no reply and the USI continues to be purely Delhi Centric.

It looks like living in Delhi makes you swollen headed too – your thinking becomes so Delhi Centric that you care a damn about the rest of India.

Delhi has the best social infrastructure and excellent transport facilities like the Metro, the Best Airport and the best Railway connectivity. But the same cannot be said of most other cities of India.

Seeing the advantages of staying in Delhi vis-à-vis other places, I wish I had settled down in Delhi NCR after my retirement as many of my friends and colleagues have.

This lopsided Delhi Centric approach is having ramifications in other areas like politics too.

Centralizing and focussing on Delhi and neglecting other parts of the country has caused a sense of alienation which has led to the rise of many regional and local political parties and this splintering may not augur well for the unity of the nation as a whole in the long run. Maybe this Delhi Centric mindset is a result of years of feudal administrative system and colonial rule which were exercised from the seat of power in Delhi.

The increasing disparity due to Delhi Centrism is causing migration towards the relatively prosperous Delhi from impoverished rural areas and leading to increasing urbanization of India, which may not be a good thing in the long run. 

Delhi is the capital of India and it can be understood that a capital must get priority, but the imbalance and disparity is too much and the gap is increasing day by day. This inequity causes alienation. To alleviate this problem, the rest of the country must be developed too.

What is the solution?

I remember a bureaucrat who used to keep saying: “I will not entertain any Delhi-Centric Proposals.”

He belonged to a Southern State and was quite unhappy at being sent to Delhi, unlike most others.

[Luckily I had taken to him a project proposal which did not pertain to Delhi (in fact it was in his home state) and he recommended it with alacrity]

I think that’s the answer to correct the imbalance – NO MORE DELHI CENTRIC PROPOSALS  (at least for the time being till the other underdeveloped parts of the country develop to a reasonable level)

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this article?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook

If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

POLITICS PERCEPTION and THE REAL ISSUES

POLITICS PERCEPTION and THE REAL ISSUES

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

As I watch with hapless amusement the LPG fiasco which is causing tremendous negative sentiment among most of the citizens, I am quite surprised as to why seasoned politicians are allowing bureaucratic bungling to proliferate and letting the situation worsen day by day.

Bureaucrats do not have to win elections. Their jobs and career progression are guaranteed. That is why bureaucrats do not have to bother about public perception.

Politicians have to be sensitive to public perception. They have to win elections every five years and cannot afford negative public sentiment.

Of course, there are two types of politicians in India:

1. Those who have to go to the people and get their votes to win elections and get elected to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

2. Those who are nominated by their parties to the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Councils. This second category of politicians don’t have to go to the people every five years to get elected and, like bureaucrats, they have an assured tenure, and if they remain in the good books of the party leadership then they can hope for a second or third tenure as well. Hence, like bureaucrats, they do not have to bother about public perception and they need not be sensitive to the problems of the common man.

Therefore, it is only from the first category of “elected” politicians that a common man can seek hope and redress of his grievances.

And I feel that a common man will certainly vote for the person who is sensitive to his problems.

You may say that most people vote as per “vote banks” based on caste, creed, religion, language, region etc, but sometimes an emotive issue can turn the tables and history bears testimony to this fact as there have been many occasions when even big leaders were defeated in the elections. 

An issue like price rice is certainly an emotive issue which affects every citizen and can cause immense negative sentiment which can turn the tide. The recent inept political handling of the LPG Domestic Cooking Gas issue, further exacerbated by the bureaucratic bungling (of removing subsidy, capping cylinders, blocking connections, confusion created by distributors and oil companies regarding procedures for KYC, rumours of artificial shortage and potential for black-marketing of cylinders, perpetual fear of price rise of unsubsidized cylinders, etc) is causing great harassment and anxiety to the consumers, especially housewives, and the common perception is that the government is acting in an insensitive and clueless manner, as far as this LPG issue is concerned. 

There is adage in “systems theory” – DO NOT DISTURB A SYSTEM WHICH IS RUNNING WELL.

The LPG Domestic Gas Supply System was running smoothly so it was best not to disturb it. Hence, it will be advisable for the powers-that-be to restore status quo ante.

Sometimes reversing a decision can pay dividends and in this LPG case, reverting back to the old tried-and-tested “subsidized” system will certainly undo the damage in perception and also prove that politicians are sensitive to the needs of the common man.

Many politicians and the media feels that corruption is the main issue for a common man. Yes, corruption may be an important issue but it is not the cardinal issue. As far as the common man is concerned the main issue is PRICE RISE since price rise affects each and every individual – man or woman, rich, poor or middle class.

Yes, corruption may have contributed to price rise but again the main issue is Price Rise which you experience every day as you buy things from the market for your daily use.

Of course, the bureaucrats and “nominated” politicians need not be sensitive about price rise since they don’t have to fight the next election, but I feel that those seeking election must give due consideration to this aspect. I will certainly vote for those who take tangible and visible steps to contain price rise.

Meanwhile, it may be interesting to see if there is any difference in the attitudes and actions of:

1. The Ministers from the Lok Sabha who are aspiring to fight the next election in 2014 and hence they have to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of the common man

vis-à-vis

2. The Ministers from the Rajya Sabha who can afford to be insensitive, bureaucratic and complacent since they do not have to fight elections and their tenures are assured irrespective of whether their party wins or loses in the next elections.

It is the same with the opposition parties too. Only those political leaders who have to face the electorate need to be sensitive about real ground-level issues like price rise which affect the common man (rather than engage in political one-upmanship which does not alleviate the distress of the aam aadmi).

In conclusion, I request all politicians to please take steps to contain inflation and tackle the issue of price rise. To start with please reverse the decision of capping LPG cylinders as the new system is not only causing distress to the common man but also seems to be practically difficult to implement and is likely to lead to more corruption, confusion and cause harassment to the aam aadmi.

I also hope that the opposition parties will constructively take up such practical day-to-day tangible issues which affect common citizens.

It is sad to see opposition parties wasting their energies by indulging in futile political one-upmanship on intangible matters.

It is demoralizing to see politicians create disharmony in inter-personal relationships by engaging in political duels in the media which produce no results on the ground, as far as the aam aadmi is concerned.

These negative vibes created by politics of conflict are avoidable and it will be good to see politicians synergize together and tackle the problems facing the country and alleviate the distress of the common man. I hope they focus on taking up the issues of Inflation and Price Rise. To start with, let us see all politicians get together and resolve the LPG fiasco.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this blog post? 
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a large number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.