"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read
only one page."
—St. Augustine (354-430)
Word for the day
Vociferous (adj)
Crying out noisily; clamorous.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
First random thought this morning
After an unusually warm Christmas, US is facing some seriously
inclement winter. Since Washington DC is directly impacted, I hope the climate
control discussions will progress at much faster pace and with deeper
commitment.
Back home, Arvind Kejriwal's cough may not be sufficient to create
the kind of awareness about environmental hazards that is urgently needed,
amongst politicians, administrators and general public.
Cognitive Dissonance
A little has changed in past two years. it continues to be irksome
to find that the front page of the newspaper is now placed at 3rd or 5th. First
few pages are cramped with ugly but alluring promotion campaigns of retailers
and real estate developers.
Last weekend I revisited some malls, popular retail markets and
wholesale markets of Delhi. As usual while I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll in
the narrow lanes of Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, and adjoining wholesale
markets, visiting swanky malls was a poor experience.
The malls were crowded and mismanaged. The additional security in
view of enhanced security threat and consequent traffic jams were exasperating.
I find it pertinent to share the following observations with my
readers:
(a) The cognitive dissonance of the government about
substance over form was conspicuous from the security arrangement. The
traditional markets, where many more people visit and much more business is done as
compared to swanky malls in the southern parts of city, had scanty security
apparatus. Whereas the mall areas had overwhelming presence of security
personnel. It is difficult to gauge what is primary concern of the government.
This dissonance is also clearly reflected in the policy making
where the height of Sensex graph and exchange value of INR appears to be taking
precedence over core issues of hunger and poverty.
(b) I enquired from many private security guards
posted at the entrances of malls, mechanically scrutinizing vehicles and people
entering these mall. When asked what they are looking for under the bonnets, at
the bottom and in the trunks of the cars. "Explosive materials", pat
came the reply. However, to my astonishment, none of them was aware as to how
explosive material they are searching for, may look like. None of them was ever trained to identify and
remove explosive material. None of them even possessed a customary wooden
stick. In case of a Mumbai like attack - the disaster is ensured.
Administrative callousness to human life, serious skill deficit,
and form over substance are real issues constricting our economic growth.
(c) Private security industry is indubitably
growing fast and it is reflecting poorly on the "government" who is
primarily responsible for ensuring safety of private life & assets, and
"mindset" of business owners who take the life of their customers so
lightly just to save a few bucks.
Public service, governance and CSR may still be just concepts.
...to continue
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