Until Dana Majhi and his daughter were walking 12 km long bearing his wife’s corpse in shoulder not a single person shared their journey. But the pathetic story of this tribal man’s long walk was shared to millions in media and social networking sites. Till the time he hardly knew or did get any scheme or offer from government side for his tribal backward condition though countless schemes were there for the upliftment of the tribal people. But the doctor came after the patient’s death. Aids from various administrations, political demagogues are showering on his family right now. Money is given to him; his daughter is being offered free education; he will also get a house. And sarcastically the government has announced an ambulance and is planning to set up a medical college in Kalahandi. These administrative cum governmental treatments were needed before his wife’s death not after his sad story was shared to mass.
One who has seen the movie Peepli Live can easily draw the line of irony in both the cases. Natha and Budhia, two debt-ridden desperate farmers went to a local politician for help. The politician scornfully suggests them to commit suicide to get benefit from a government program that aids the families of indebted deceased farmers. And with the help of media his attempt to suicide came into limelight and every channel makes it more alluring. Then one politician offers Natha a tube well. But the irony is that Natha had no money that he could install the tube well. What is flintier that the village didn’t have electricity and Natha was offered by another politician a television set. This black comedy clearly depicts how poor people are dealing with the bureaucracy in India.
Recently another news got headlines in many daily that Indian athletes didn’t receive the fund in time. Many did run the preparation short of fund. But when they won medals, even though they were not back in India, various governments announced a huge sum of rewards. Many critics are of the view that if adequate amenities and facilities would have been provided to the athletes India could have more medals in her bag.
Remember another Manjhi from a little village of Bihar. Not a single administration or politician could see this man’s sternness for twenty-two long years, even people considered him as mad. But when he alone did the mighty work, broke the mountain to plain, the administrations and politicians praised him as the Mountain Man. The government offered the construction of a road. And now the government is planning to set a rail station in that village after a decade of this manjhi’s death.
These few instances are not all alone. This is the India where actions are taken after casualty is over. Thousands of such incidents every day gets a little space in newspapers and channels but the story remains constant. The doctor came after the patient’s death. Mid-day meal food is inspected after many students fall ill; helmet becomes must after accidents; everybody discussed the Dalit after his suicide but didn’t listen when he was in hunger strike; one has to file case knowing justice may come even after his death; everybody comes to know about rape victims but never could know about rapists; rape victims are more discussed than rapists; accident victim get succumbed to death on the spot but people agitate, burn the vehicles, shops instead of taking the victim to hospital; and finally a person is lynched to death only in suspension of keeping beef in his house; and so on.
It’s not only about government or politicians or bureaucrats. It’s all about we Indian. The psychology of India is somewhat like this. To come out of this we need to change our mind. Proper education would be an effective tool. The government should boost up its schemes and agendas. Laws are made but on the ground its void, not implemented. So, if the facilities are made available to every parts and parcel of the country no such incidents delay may occur. For this, the better administration is needed. Hope India will regain its glory and shine at the apex of development. Jai Hind.
The Pacifist 