Immorality in Indian politics: Swaminathan Aiyar

Hummingbird has been watching the growing anger against corruption over the years.  Oflate the anger of the common man is growing by leaps and bounds and the response of the ruling elites does not appear to reflect a proper understanding of the situation at the ground level.  While generally anger against corruption and corrupt people is considered to be high among the "middle classes" and honesty is considered a middle class virtue, the kind of people who came for the Ramlila agitation is an eye opener.  While traditional wisdom says that poor are more bothered about their livelihood issues, over the last few years, Hummingbird has watched with interest, the growing awareness (improved literacy levels and better media access) amongst the poor and lower segments of the Society on national issues besides the bread and butter issues.

In this interview, Swaminathan Aiyar talks about corruption and anger of middle class.  If corruption derails the growth agenda of the nation, it would push back the country by a few decades.  One only hopes, the country gets on with its focus on economics coupled with better governance. 

We are ready to sweep the medals...!

Even the usually dour Janab Cynic Ali could not help but smile looking at this cartoon in Mint (Sep 30, 2010). 

(Source:  Mint, September 30, 2010)

Recently KPMG identified 3 projects (KG-D6 project, 4,000 MW Mundra plant and IGI Airport Expansion at New Delhi) out of one hundred examples of great projects that are at different stages of development across the world.    

Hummingbird wonders if we have done anything well and within the right time, except for a few projects like Delhi Metro etc.  The efficiency and energy which we see in the private sector with clear incentive structure for good performance, is generally absent when government ends up implementing big projects.  We usually have delays, himalayan corruption, etc where Government is directly involved.   Sadly, that's the state of affairs of this country. 

Hummingbird lives in hope.  He still looks forward to better days... when this great country will be ruled by enlightened and visionary politicians and honest bureaucrats.  A time in the near future when we won't become the laughing stock of the world.  He is not asking for the best in the world.. he would be very happy to have something better than we have today...

Why are you always following me..?

A picture is worth a thousand words, is an old idiom.  Janab Cynic Ali could not help but smile looking at this cartoon in Mint (Sep 16, 2010).

Source:  Mint, Sep 16, 2010

Janab Cynic Ali remembers an old dialogue from Yes Minister -

Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.

Well, he doesn't want to translate and give the meaning of this dialogue.  Before Janab Saheb went, he remembered this dialogue -

Hacker: Are you saying that winking at corruption is government policy?

Sir Humphrey: No, no, Minister! It could never be government policy. That is unthinkable! Only government practice.

 

Hacker: You're a cynic, Humphrey!

Sir Humphrey: A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist.

Janab Saheb wondered where this country is heading.  Being a old man, he preferred to listen to radio.  He closed the doors slowly and switched on the radio.  He was happy to listen to an old Tamil song.  In the silence of the night, Hummingbird overheard him humming a MGR song - "Ethanai kaalam dhaan yematruvaar indha naatile" from the Tamil film: Malai Kallan, 1954 (approx translation - for how long will cheaters exist in the country). 

Well, as usual, Hummingbird is optimistic.  He says that it may be dark outside.  But the sun will rise tomorrow and the darkness will go.

Advertisements by PSUs and private sector companies - Part 3

Well.. I am back to my favourite observation.. looking at advertisements issued by PSUs..  Now, see this advertisement by Indian Bank (Business Line, June 28, 2010):

Mmm... I don't have to say anything.. the picture says it all..

Advertisements by PSUs and private sector companies - Part 2

In an earlier post on June 13, 2010, I had pointed out -

"...Strangely, all these PSUs issued colour advertisements.  Two of them had politicians in their advertisements (ONGC & Central Bank).  Syndicate Bank, PNB, SBI & REC did not have politician or Chairman on their advertisements.

I came across advertisements by two private sector companies on May 4, 2010 - JSW and HDFC, both of which were in black & white.  The advertisements did not contain any politician or promoter photos...."

The very next day i.e., on June 14, 2010, Business Line carried this advt by YES Bank.

Well.. I stand corrected..

A debate for India!

In the latest UK elections, politicians participated in live debates.  Mint argues in "A debate for India" (May 5, 2010) that -

In India, we already have television’s wide reach and a handful of trusted, neutral journalists to moderate—two essentials needed to make debates work. Now we only need the politicians willing to appear live and answer tough questions without descending into platitudes and ad hominem attacks.

"Handful of trusted, neutral journalists to moderate"... for once, I disagree with Mint. 'Trusted' yes.. but trusted by whom?  Maybe by politicians.  Politicians are always willing to show their face on TV.  But credibility is a serious issue.  Maybe the media in India has higher credibility than politicians.  But is it impartial?  I doubt.

French companies get serious about putting women in the boardroom

MOST French bosses have little time for a new law, now going through parliament, which would compel listed companies to lift the proportion of women on their boards to 40% by 2016, says this interesting article from The Economist. With the French government determined to make France the second country with a compulsory quota for women in the boardroom, I was reminded of the Women's Reservation Bill in India and how Indian politicians "manage" such reservations.

• In private, chief executives say they will look for female board members of a particular type: those who will look decorative and not rock the boat.
  
• One boss asked a headhunter for photographs of candidates and said he would treat looks as his first criterion, ahead of industry experience.
  
• A board member of a multinational company who opposes the 40% quota said that bosses could simply appoint their wives or—more subtly—their girlfriends.
  
• In March Dassault Aviation, a manufacturer of fighter planes and corporate jets, said it would nominate Nicole Dassault, the 79-year-old wife of Serge Dassault, its controlling shareholder, to its board. Mrs Dassault has little hands-on business experience.
  
• LVMH has nominated Bernadette Chirac, the 76-year-old wife of the former French president. Mrs Chirac’s qualifications, explained the company, were that she was female and that as first lady she supported fashion and regularly attended catwalk shows.
  

Enacting law is the first step. But how to ensure it is not abused? In India, we have wife(s)/mother etc who hold the fort (for the family!). In France we have a (a) 79 year old woman appointed with no business experience (b) a 76 year old woman appointed because she was a female and she attended "catwalk shows". One boss says "looks would be the first criteria" while another board member says bosses could simply appoint their wives or—more subtly—their girlfriends!

Did any Indian politician go to France to educate the developed world?