We are used to
people taking credit for works done by others. Their tribe is larger than what
one may normally expect. They generally belong to the rank and file of any
social group. One won’t normally expect a leader of any worth to do that. All
great leaders give due credit to what their followers do. They are generous
with appreciation so that more work will get done without unnecessary hassles. Credit-seeking is the business of the
inefficient people. Those who cannot achieve anything great but want to appear
great nevertheless take credit for the achievements of other people.
When a person
who is occupying a very eminent position in any society creates a huge suspense
and huger hype about his silly credit-taking, it becomes farcically hilarious. Just
imagine the Prime Minister of a country like India which has a population equal
to that of the entire Europe and North America put together creating a hype and
suspense about an announcement he wants to make to the nation.
The social
media went berserk with conjectures and predictions about what Narendra Modi’s
announcement was going to be about today when he created the hype and suspense
much before the announcement was made. People thought he was going to declare
an Emergency. Or was it going to be another insane demonetisation (which is
often and pithily abbreviated as DeMon – Demon)?
Or a war with Pakistan or China? Or a proposal to evict all antinational people
from India to various countries of perceived loyalty such as Pakistan and Rome
or the Vatican?
Finally when
the announcement came, it was a farcical anti-climax. Not because the
achievement of the scientists who shot down a live satellite is a mean
accomplishment but because the achievement did not deserve anything more than a
front page three-column headline in the daily newspapers.
What was the
Prime Minister trying to tell the nation anyway? That we have become a nation
of satellite shooters? That we have entered the star wars club? That we are
advanced warriors or sophisticated savages?
Well, if the
announcement was about some way to shoot down poverty from the nation, it would
have deserved all that hype. If it was about creation of jobs, implementation
of Sbka Saath Sabka Vikas or something like that, the nation would applaud in
appreciation. Couldn’t we concentrate more on shooting down mounting hatred,
the rising prices, or the spreading corruption?
“In the journey
of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic
impact on generations to come,” said Modi in his historic announcement. Indeed there are. But he does not know what
they are. What a pathetic leader he is! Worse still, how stupid to grab the
credit for something that others have been working on for a decade or so?
Ah, we get the
anti-climaxes we deserve!
:) maunam, sammati soochakam.
ReplyDeleteMy silence owes itself to weariness. I began to feel that i was living in the midst of people who refuse to open their eyes and see. Are people really so foolish?
DeleteI appreciate the thoughts expressed in this article. I also feel the same way. People are not foolish Sir but they are being considered as fools by their revered leader.
DeleteI hope people will exercise their voting rights wisely.
Delete