‘Able or Pliable’

By

J.L.Gupta

 

Some years back, public duty took me away from home. From Chandigarh to Cochin. And more than once, purely as a part of the protocol, I was asked to be at the airport to receive the President of India. On one of the occasions, he was arriving a time when I was to be on the job. So, a note of regrets and a request to call on His Excellency during lunch was sent. The appointment was fixed. I reached the hotel ‘Taj’ punctually.

 

The ADC escorted me to a room. Dr. Kalam arrived soon after. During the twenty minutes that I spent with the President, I was face to face with an inquisitive man. A curious mind.

 

There was a volley of questions. He wanted to know all about the courts, cases and the causes for delay in decisions. Why cannot the criminal be convicted promptly within a fixed time? Why does it take years? Why should the courts be making posthumous awards? And on hearing my response, he asked -- why can we not have more courts? Why do we continue to follow the archaic laws? Why do we not simplify the procedure? Why should there be more than one appeal in every case?

 

The reactions were quick. Despite the fact that he had never delved in law, each observation was pertinent. Actually, a razor-sharp mind. There was the precision of an aerospace engineer. More than that, it was clear that he was always wanting to know more. Willing to change the old rules when required and move forward. Peoples’ progress was the dominant desire.

 

It was evident that the Constitutional Office of the Head of State -- the Governor or President, is not merely ornamental. Nor meant to reward the faithful. Men of merit matter. They make a difference. If such offices are held by men with ability and integrity, they can lend light even to those on whose aid and advice they are expected to act.

 

And fortunately, there is no dearth of such men of ability in the country. Man to man most of us can hold our own against the best in the world. Yet, we often opt for mediocrity. Merit is invariably sacrificed. Even in matters of appointment to the Constitutional Offices, irrelevant considerations of caste and creed are seen to creep in. Sadly, we prefer the pliable to the able. When we do that the individual gains but the ‘office’ and the ‘institution’ suffer.

 

Is that the reason why we are where we are? One of the most corrupt nations of the world?