It is sheer coincidence that
the potential goodness of the human race is the theme common to the book I am
now reading and TJS George’s weekly column in The New Sunday Express. The
book is Rutger Bregman’s Humankind: A hopeful history, which I mentioned
a number of times in earlier posts. The book is taking more time than usual to
complete for two reasons: 1. I like the book and hence I read it slowly
savouring the thoughts it offers; 2. CBSE has made quite many changes in the
curriculum and they keep me engaged most of the time.
Bregman seems
to be an incorrigible optimist. But George is certainly not that. No journalist
in India can be so optimistic. Optimism dies in India’s corridors of power,
whether in the parliament or in the state assemblies. George concludes his cheery
column on a cynical note suggesting that Derek O’Brien’s [a Rajya Sabha MP]
comparison of Modi’s governance to the making of papri chaat is “unfair
to papari chaat.”
George’s
entire article is about some ‘good’ rich people of India: people like Azim
Premji and Shiv Nadar who spend substantial amounts on humanitarian work. There’s
a pretty long list in which you’ll find Mukesh Ambani’s name too. Well, there’s
some goodness in everyone, even in an Ambani. According to the reckoning of the
Reliance Foundation, the Ambanis have extended their generosity to some 12
million Indians in the last nine years.
The
benevolence of the affluent Indians seems to be doing more good to the needy in
India than the Indian government. This is where Bregman interrupted my
reflection on George’s article. Most people are good at heart, Bregman argues.
Most people would do good to others if they are given the right ambience, an
ambience that supports such goodness. Who creates such ambience in a country?
If you are
led by a person whose entire outlook is founded on hatred of certain sections
of citizens, can you expect him to create any such ambience? If the party in
power is rooted in hatred, what can we expect from it?
The answer to
those questions is why George has to end his article on the benevolence of
certain Indians on a cynical note. This is also why you won’t find any
journalist in India who is not tainted by some degree of cynicism.
Today, being
Sunday, is a good day for some fantasy if not contemplation. Just fantasise a
situation: we have a good leader who is capable of coordinating the benevolence
of all Shiv Nadars and Azim Premjis of India. And thus create a system that
fosters the goodness in people. Just imagine. Hope needn’t die yet.
PS. This post is a
part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.
Hari OM
ReplyDelete...I sit smiling. A little glimmer there! True, it is very difficult not to be cynical about the state of play at government level and, it has to be said, that some 'altruists' still have self interest (tax breaks, plain old conscience, hopes to offset agami karma...) But, nonetheless, those who benefit from the benevolence have gained and this cannot be denied.
Now if only both our governments understood this purpose of daana!!! It is nice to dream for a little while. YAM xx
Perhaps politics has something irredeemable about it. I wonder why 'good' people don't become politicians.
DeleteI would like to fantasize that good, capable leaders become politicians. Will it just remain a fantasy or ever become a reality ?
ReplyDeleteSo far there's no reason for it to become reality 😅
DeleteI've missed reading your posts. And I hope to correct this 'malpractice' soon:)
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons for my absence is an app called 'Clubhouse.' I've been using it to a) listen to Hindi/Urdu literature read aloud by stalwarts. And b) to practise my spoken word skills in open mic sessions.
What struck me today, after reading your post, is that the political writer has always used cynicism as a useful tool to comment on current affairs. Satire catches our imagination or perhaps it's a more palatable form of commentary.
Earlier today, I was listening to Hariwansh Rai Parsai's pieces about the state of the Indian Govt. and its economic policies in the early 1970s and if you didn't know any better, you'd think he was talking about India 2021.
Like you, I do wonder why 'good' people don't take to politics and choose instead to comment upon it? Or does politics, by its nature, turns people?
I missed you too. It's always nice to hear your view on a post. But I understand how life keeps people like you busy.
DeleteI have a friend who is a journalist with a national newspaper. He says that a journalist cannot but be a cynic because of the shocking gap between what he has to write and the truth.
Good people can't succeed in politics. Power is not good people's concern.
I'm pinching this gem "Power is not good people's concern." for my notebook. Thank you.
DeleteGood people exist! The system, the hatred existant, doesn't allow goodness to show up, but not for long! Hoping that an environment will soon be created!!
ReplyDeleteLet me share that hope of yours though I know such good things happen only in stories and movies. In real life, we are condemned to mediocrity in public spaces though the mediocrity often masquerades as greatness.
DeleteYeah, hoping is not bad for how long for certain people in India? Sunday fantasy is good for a change like doing the prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou can never say when a new leader will emerge. Miracles are possible.
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