The Downhill March
Here is the introductory chapter from the book "Political Mirage—50 years after India became Republic" by Lalit Shastri
The Downhill March
It is more than five-decades now that the vast subcontinent of India became Independent and the people oppressed for hundreds of years under foreign rule, perhaps rightfully, hoped and expected that under their own leaders, who had fought shoulder to shoulder with them the struggle for Independence, they would be progressing on the path leading to agricultural, industrial and infrastructural development, which would in turn ensure education, employment, better living conditions and all-round happiness and satisfaction for all of them. They had immense faith in the honesty, integrity and commitment of their leaders who in their new roles in the Parliamentary Democracy as Ministers were consequently vested with immense powers and discretion, both administrative and financial, to push through the dreams and expectations of the millions in the right direction without any hindrance or obstruction.
The framers of the Indian Constitution perhaps miscalculated in a way by ignoring the fact that all those stalwarts who had sacrificed their all during the freedom struggle would, through the normal aging process, get phased out and get replaced by generally unworthy successors who would regard politics as a profession and feel that no maneuvering and no stooping was too low or too unworthy for them so long as it ensured their continuity in power with perks, positions and gains steadily pouring in.
Through this steady decline in the moral fabric of the political leadership, the so called steel structure of the Indian bureaucracy also could not remain unaffected and was made to twist, turn and bend till they could be rightfully called the “committed bureaucrats”. Unfortunately such commitments were rarely for the good of the country or the good of the people or for upholding the constitutional provisions. Rather such commitments reduced most bureaucrats into “YES MEN” who were always too ready to extend help, assistance and guidance to their political masters. Soon the political masters wanted to rule the country in their best political interest and in the best interest of those near and dear to them and after that in the best interest of their party because the strength of their party alone could ensure their continuity at the helm of affairs.
The “Mutual Help Private Limited” formed by the politicians and the bureaucrats has weakened and ruined the administrative functioning in the country and has brought it to the present level where the Indian official functioning has the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt in the world.
The Downhill March
It is more than five-decades now that the vast subcontinent of India became Independent and the people oppressed for hundreds of years under foreign rule, perhaps rightfully, hoped and expected that under their own leaders, who had fought shoulder to shoulder with them the struggle for Independence, they would be progressing on the path leading to agricultural, industrial and infrastructural development, which would in turn ensure education, employment, better living conditions and all-round happiness and satisfaction for all of them. They had immense faith in the honesty, integrity and commitment of their leaders who in their new roles in the Parliamentary Democracy as Ministers were consequently vested with immense powers and discretion, both administrative and financial, to push through the dreams and expectations of the millions in the right direction without any hindrance or obstruction.
The framers of the Indian Constitution perhaps miscalculated in a way by ignoring the fact that all those stalwarts who had sacrificed their all during the freedom struggle would, through the normal aging process, get phased out and get replaced by generally unworthy successors who would regard politics as a profession and feel that no maneuvering and no stooping was too low or too unworthy for them so long as it ensured their continuity in power with perks, positions and gains steadily pouring in.
Through this steady decline in the moral fabric of the political leadership, the so called steel structure of the Indian bureaucracy also could not remain unaffected and was made to twist, turn and bend till they could be rightfully called the “committed bureaucrats”. Unfortunately such commitments were rarely for the good of the country or the good of the people or for upholding the constitutional provisions. Rather such commitments reduced most bureaucrats into “YES MEN” who were always too ready to extend help, assistance and guidance to their political masters. Soon the political masters wanted to rule the country in their best political interest and in the best interest of those near and dear to them and after that in the best interest of their party because the strength of their party alone could ensure their continuity at the helm of affairs.
The “Mutual Help Private Limited” formed by the politicians and the bureaucrats has weakened and ruined the administrative functioning in the country and has brought it to the present level where the Indian official functioning has the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt in the world.
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