Most of the news in the media these days is frivolous, biased and whatever is engaging is negative and depressing. Our leaders and our government gives us much to despair about and yet we are possessed by this disturbingly unhealthy craving for news.
In spite of its best efforts at concealment and misinformation, such is the magnitude of blatant mismanagement, frauds, siphoning of funds and grand thefts, the government simply cannot stem the flood of information into the public domain.
Every parliamentarian takes an oath to serve the nation and
the people yet many of them seem to have forgotten that pledge or is it that they simply do not care?
The writing on the wall and in the streets is clear. The
government has to act, and act now, to stem the rot and look after the security and welfare of its people. This is the first and only duty of any legitimate government.
Power without accountability is dictatorship, and dictatorship
is what the politicians and bureaucrats seek. A government must stand on both legislative right and moral authority. The government has lost all moral authority and therefore it has only the one leg of electoral representation to stand on. It is our government and we want to support it but for that the leaders and the government must win the hearts and minds of the people. Not by tokenism and useless speeches full of empty promises but by actions that will win the government and our leaders, the love, respect and gratitude of its citizens,
Amidst this cacophony an inspiring European leader
comes to mind.
____________________________________________
Fredrick II, the Prussian King (1712 - 1786) also
known as 'Fredrick the Great', was once informed by a visiting British envoy to his court, "Your majesty, your people are protesting on the streets! "
Fredrick II replied, "I and my people have come
to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are free to say what they please and I am to free do what I please"
Fredrick considered a political and military genius
with many successes to his credit, did not deem it necessary to be accountable to anyone but himself as absolute monarch. |
Maybe the current government in power has not noted the difference. India is supposed to be a modern democratic republic and the citizens opinions and concerns do matter. Ignore the writing on the wall and the price to be paid maybe simply too significant for the leaders.
Unlike our government, Fredrick II was an effective ruler. He continuously lowered taxes, food prices, and provided the best education system in Europe and generally people loved and revered him. Fredrick II invested in building infrastructure making Prussia one of the leading economic powers in Europe from an economic backwater.
Fredrick II secured his borders and internal law and order was extremely good and stable. Justice was there and minorities felt safe and wanted. Trade and commerce flourished.
On the other hand the Indian people are disgusted and angry with their leaders, for bad governance, high inflation, increasing poverty, lack of justice, no accountability either of politicians or government servants. We now seemed to be possessed by the worst possible combination of traits in our leaders, selfish, manipulative, incompetent, unethical and very powerful. God, help us!
Mr. Anna Hazare the civil activist and his team have once again taken it upon themselves to crusade against the government for its numerous acts of omission and commission. My research shows a growing support for them and what they stand for.
Maybe the leaders in the government wish to emulate the overbearing confidence of leaders like Fredrick II. However it would be wise if they also emulate his integrity, capabilities and quiet dignity.
The next few days in India promise to be exciting, entertaining and educational. Undoubtedly in the end we will have a vibrant democracy, a stronger society and hopefully a more accountable government that works.
I love my India, if you do too, then stand up and be counted
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