1914-2008
Prologue
Gifted with unique
potential, everyone on planet earth is a leader. On several occasions, I was amazed observing
the innovative skills of unskilled workers to improvise!
Uniqueness is
progressively hindered conforming to societal norms such as Culture, Marks,
Career, Survival of The Fittest, Rituals, Money/Power/Status, different
‘Isms’—Cast-ism, Socialism, Capitalism, Fundamentalism and so on. Ironically, the most crucial ‘ism’ (Humanism)
remains submerged deep within. What matters is ‘my pound of flesh’! Question—Can
we be secure in an insecure environment promoting 'I' Culture?
One dichotomy
perpetuated in human history is exploitation of majority by incompetent
minority. Dynamics of it have been described in gripping style by Ms Ayn
Rand in her best seller Atlas Shrugged, 1957.
Incredible Yet True
Total strength of Elected
Representatives (ER) for Parliament & State Legislative Assemblies/Councils
including total number of Public and Government Servants in India is around three percent. Of them, applying the Pareto Principle 80:20,
Successful Leaders are over 80 percent:
Successful Leader: Characteristics
 |
| Image that became viral. Bureaucrat wiping dust off Mayavati's shoes |
Self before Service; Lack personal and professional
integrity. Conformist (yes man) and Sycophant; Man of double standards; Career
conscious; Amenable to wrong doings for personal gain; subservience could be as
extreme as dusting shoes/touching feet. (07 sep 2015—Govt official publicly touched
feet of Mulayam Singh at a rally in Mainpuri UP)
Less than three percent
Incompetent Minority direct and control 97 percent Indians! Situation is
no different globally. What a farce of tall claims regarding inclusive
development!!
Total strength of
Elected Representatives is less than 5000 ie 0.00004 percent of India’s population. Ironically, only 0.00004 % ERs
have unfettered powers for governance. Let us look at the score card.
Consequences
1)
Preamble
of Constitution has been turned on its head.
2)
Rampaging
corruption.
3)
Social
and economic injustice.
4)
Assets
of 1 % would soon exceed that of 99 % of world population!
5)
Global
warming causing natural calamities frequently.
Power
of Bureaucracy
‘Yes Minister’—An
extremely popular BBC TV serial in early 1980s.
Total dependence of ministers on manipulative bureaucrats. Each episode
was so comical that smiles and guffaws kept the viewers glued. I seldom missed
it.
The plot is as relevant in Indian context. No politician
can function without the support of Bureaucrats,
Police & Armed Forces. Unfortunately, these three pillars of the executive
have progressively become too compliant to stand up against political bosses. Patronized
by political masters, Successful Leaders flourish. Drought of ‘Good Leaders’ is
conspicuous.
To name few inspiring
mavericks—Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha whose historic judgment on 12 Jun 1975
dethroned Indira Gandhi, then PM; Justice SN Dhingra—mortally feared by shady politicians; Ashok Khemka,
uncompromising despite frequent transfers;
Sanjeev Chaturvedi, recipient of Magsaysay Award recently for
professional integrity; July 2015, IG Amitabh
Thakur filed FIR against Mulayam Singh Yadav.
I have personal
knowledge of Leaders with enviable life style. Profiled are few worthwhile episodes.
EPISODE 1
Story of ‘X’
His dilemma started
few months before retirement for taking initiative to resolve dispute between two
officers; senior Colonel (Col) and his subordinate Major.
Disciplinary action had
been initiated against the Major for insubordination. Allegation—use of abusive
language which was denied. No witness was there to corroborate the allegation.
Major was disturbed as leave was withheld pending finalization of case.
One day Major
approached ‘X’ to mediate. He confessed his
guilt assured of confidentiality. As decided mutually, ‘X’ approached the
aggrieved Colonel unofficially to settle the case once Major confessed guilt and apologized.
He betrayed and officially reported the dialogue.
Consequently, Enquiry
Officer hurriedly summoned ‘X’ to record statement. By then news had spread
like wild fire. All including accused Major were on pins. Conviction was
certain if ‘X’ stated the facts.
Moral
dilemma of ‘X’:—
Telling
truth would betray the trust reposed by Major.
Lying before legal authority could jeopardize retirement benefits of ‘X’.
Statement
of ‘X’ before the Enquiry Officer:—
‘It is unfortunate that my name has
been dragged into this case unnecessarily. I have no further comments to offer’.
Major went home on leave
and ‘X’ retired peacefully and still feels proud of his stand!
| Scholarly Subservience |
EPISODE 2
Story of ‘X’
Recruitment rallies
build undue pressures on Selection Committee (SC) to select nominated
candidates by the top boss. Successful Leaders, irrespective of seniority, are
forever willing to bend rules to conform. Fair selection is only for publicity not
implementation!
One autumn morning Presiding
Officer ‘X’ & members of SC assembled for conducting the tests starting
with one mile run. On completion candidates were to stand in designated enclosures
including one for Failures.
Senior member (Major)
was Staff Officer to the Commandant (Brigadier). He whispered to ‘X’—‘Sir that
guy in failure enclosure is candidate of the General from Delhi
Headquarters’. Major looked at X with
disbelief when he said—‘Please include his name in list of failures’.
Few days later, Major
was expedited to finalize the selection proceedings. Soon thereafter, Brigadier
called up ‘X’. Interactions:
Brig: I appreciate your stand.
You could finalize the papers without showing any failures. That would clear your
conscience’.
This preposterous proposal was unacceptable.
‘X’: ‘Sir I am not comfortable with that
suggestion’.
Brig: Would it be OK if I
replaced you with someone else as the Presiding Officer?
‘X’: Sir, that’s your prerogative
A pliable officer was
nominated to flout norms of selection criteria to accommodate request of the
Big Boss! Conscience of ‘X’ was clear.
Used to sycophancy, the
Brigadier could not reconcile to the moral stand of ‘X’. Petty mind of Brigadier and his wife worked
overtime to badmouth against ‘X’.
Unfortunately, he had to move out on transfer within months.
EPISODE 3
Story of ‘X’
Somewhere in
Assam. ‘X’ assumed charge at a time when
image of the unit had nose-dived. It was a crucial tenure for ‘X’ before
promotion.
Morale of men was
low. Challenge was daunting yet enjoyable working together. Tough training schedule kept troops professionally
and physically fit. It also helped regain lost image and pride, slowly but steadily.
As new raising,
resources were inadequate. Funds were not enough to provide welfare facilities. Administrative
loose ends were tied to prevent pilferage.
Outcome was revealing.
One day, Senior
Junior Commissioned Officer (SJCO) and Office Superintendent came to office and
said—
SJCO: Sir, lots of atta,
rice, sugar, ghee etc have become surplus due to close supervision. What should
we do?
‘X’: While
demanding ration from supply depot, adjust the surplus quantity by
under-drawing.
Exchanging
glances they did not seem satisfied; hesitated to offer suggestions. Encouraged
to speak suggested haltingly
SJCO: Sir, you know
jawans do not have proper utensils to eat food; several other welfare items are needed urgently. We do not have funds. If
you agree, we could sell the surplus rations to our families at subsidized
rates. Thus funds would be generated benefitting troops & families.
‘X’: Do you realize
the suggestion is perfect recipe for my Court Martial? After a pause. ‘OK go
ahead. You know it would not remain secret. Please caution everyone, there will
be no change in style of command fearing blackmail’.
Utensils were bought.
Men were exceedingly happy. Yes, there
was an anonymous complaint. Somehow it was not pursued vigorously by authorities.
Meanwhile, ‘X’ had resolved to plead guilty, if asked officially.
Perhaps, path of
righteousness enjoys divine protection……….!!
1880-1964 SYMBOL OF MORAL COURAGE |
EPISODE 4 (MORAL COURAGE)
Story of Lt Col B
Regiment of Artillery
Year 1966. True story
about demonstration of exceptional moral courage by the Commanding Officer (CO)
in a peace station.
Then young Adjutant,
now over 70 years old Jagdish, was emotionally charged narrating and so was I
listening. As if he was reliving those unforgettable and amazing moments.
One Saturday morning Senior Junior
Commissioned Officer (SJCO) reported to me that Recruit Jarnail Singh was missing since previous
night. I was rattled as desertion was a serious offence and needed reporting to
higher authorities forthwith.
I informed the CO for orders.
Unperturbed, replied—‘Let’s wait till Monday morning as tomorrow is Sunday’.
Monday
morning SJCO: Sahib, Jarnail has
rejoined and confessed having committed murder. I felt unsettled listening to
him.
Jarnail
to SJCO: Previous Friday
I received letter from Mom. She was fed up due to unbearable harassment by the
village bad guy. Civil authorities did not help. She had written—माँ की रक्षा तो नहीं कर सकता देश की रक्षा क्या करेगा ! यह पड़ कर मेरा सर फिर गया और मैं भाग गया । मैंने उसका क़तल करके कुएं में फेक कर वापस लौट आया । अब आपकी मर्ज़ी ”। (Mom had written you cannot protect your mom, how can you protect the
country? I was furious. I reached there and murdered the guy. Threw his body in
a well and returned. Now it is up to you).
Jagdish:
I was
stunned and confused. Briefed CO. He asked my views regarding Jarnail’s general conduct.
Satisfied that the young recruit was OK interviewed him in rustic Punjabi. Having ensured no one had seen him at the
place of crime, directed:-
CO: To
Jarnail—Remember you never left the unit. You have been on duty at
----(located far away from the unit)
since one month.
To Jagdish & SJCO—Please reconstruct the
official records forthwith. Make sure when police investigation team arrives,
they are taken care of and dealt with tact to file closure report for lack of
evidence.
Jagdish
Witnessing
all this gave me goose pimples. Felt confident
and honored to learn something so powerful regarding genuine welfare of men
under command. No book can teach this, only
a Good Leader can; like that adorable CO. Superseded he melted away from active service
unsung in public eye but etching a place for himself in the heart forever of all those who knew
him.
Post
Script
Reward for Good Leaders. Harassed and
superceded but feared by incompetent majority; adored by colleagues & subordinates. They are remembered by some forever.
Successful Leaders. Shelf-life
is at the mercy of their patrons. Wonder whether they respect themselves!!
I have plenty of
experiences on leading ethical life in unethical environment. Have plans to
share as Musings if I last out long enough to do so.
Who is Mr ‘X’? Those
who recognized are welcome to reveal his identity.
To end
on a funny but meaningful note:
Successful Leaders always move with a
group of sycophants stroking their ego. Assuming to be repository of knowledge,
they have an opinion on everything.
Once such a General joined the group of
independent thinkers discussing affairs in the Army. To General’s emphatic comment, Army has gone
to dogs, one Lt Col like ‘B’ retorted—“Sir, do you think Army has
gone to dogs or dogs have joined the Army”?
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