The Delhi gang-rape has awoken the social conscience of many people I know. I have been largely sceptical of their new-found activism largely through social media. This has been supplemented in some cases with symbolic gestures like candle-light marches. I have maintained a cynical view that all the above are largely feel good measures by people who don't really care about society unless threats come knocking too close home.
I have not expressed outrage even though I probably have the same degree of social responsibility as most of these facebook activists.
When I graduated I never even contemplated working for the government and making a direct contribution to society or governance. To that extent I chose material comfort over social responsibility and do not grudge those who chose roles in government with motives other than governance. For all I know, some of them had no other option. If they choose to excel in their profession and make a material difference to society, it's a bonus. It's not like all these social media activists are great at their day jobs. It's just that our day jobs are so irrelevant, competence or lack of it makes no difference to the bulk of the country.
However, are we grooming the next generation for anything different? Do parents with law-school going kids wish them the life of a public prosecutor? Most seem to clamour for prestigious law firm slots ideally in fancy sounding areas like Intellectual Property Rights. Progeny who demonstrate above-average flair for communication are dispatched to foreign universities to seek "higher education". Seldom do I see encouragement for a career in investigative journalism. And yet, we expect society to reform by itself. With our contribution being restricted to interventions that call for absolutely no sacrifice .
We then come to the issue of changes in law wrt Rape. As a test, I asked 6-7 of these self-styled activists the meaning of a "non-bailable offence". Each of them believed a non-bailable offence was one where a Court could not grant bail! Mind you, all of them possess credible post-graduate degrees and some occupy responsible positions in organisations. With such levels of illiteracy on Law, these people believe they are competent enough to push for changes in Law. The trouble may not be with their intelligence. The average corporate citizen restricts his understanding of the System to reading newspapers, periodicals and interacting with others of his own breed. Cocktail conversations therefore tend to be of the "one blind man leading another" sort. If only they took pains to interact with a few people engaged in civil administration, some understanding of pulls and pressures in governance could be comprehended.
So does that leave us with no choice to contribute in a more meaningful manner? How about a movement that ensures there is enough pressure on the Government to at least consider some of us for roles in the government? Collectively we could force a debate on ridding some vital roles in the administration from the preserve of an antiquated bureaucracy. I am certain some FB activists have the financial stability (or indifference) to give up current levels of emoluments and work for a better governed nation. THAT in my mind is true contribution. Feel-good activism may not have negatives. But it can take you thus far and no further. And am not sure the distance it shall take us is significant anyway.
When I graduated I never even contemplated working for the government and making a direct contribution to society or governance. To that extent I chose material comfort over social responsibility and do not grudge those who chose roles in government with motives other than governance. For all I know, some of them had no other option. If they choose to excel in their profession and make a material difference to society, it's a bonus. It's not like all these social media activists are great at their day jobs. It's just that our day jobs are so irrelevant, competence or lack of it makes no difference to the bulk of the country.
However, are we grooming the next generation for anything different? Do parents with law-school going kids wish them the life of a public prosecutor? Most seem to clamour for prestigious law firm slots ideally in fancy sounding areas like Intellectual Property Rights. Progeny who demonstrate above-average flair for communication are dispatched to foreign universities to seek "higher education". Seldom do I see encouragement for a career in investigative journalism. And yet, we expect society to reform by itself. With our contribution being restricted to interventions that call for absolutely no sacrifice .
We then come to the issue of changes in law wrt Rape. As a test, I asked 6-7 of these self-styled activists the meaning of a "non-bailable offence". Each of them believed a non-bailable offence was one where a Court could not grant bail! Mind you, all of them possess credible post-graduate degrees and some occupy responsible positions in organisations. With such levels of illiteracy on Law, these people believe they are competent enough to push for changes in Law. The trouble may not be with their intelligence. The average corporate citizen restricts his understanding of the System to reading newspapers, periodicals and interacting with others of his own breed. Cocktail conversations therefore tend to be of the "one blind man leading another" sort. If only they took pains to interact with a few people engaged in civil administration, some understanding of pulls and pressures in governance could be comprehended.
So does that leave us with no choice to contribute in a more meaningful manner? How about a movement that ensures there is enough pressure on the Government to at least consider some of us for roles in the government? Collectively we could force a debate on ridding some vital roles in the administration from the preserve of an antiquated bureaucracy. I am certain some FB activists have the financial stability (or indifference) to give up current levels of emoluments and work for a better governed nation. THAT in my mind is true contribution. Feel-good activism may not have negatives. But it can take you thus far and no further. And am not sure the distance it shall take us is significant anyway.
