That authority and accountability should never go hand in hand is a theory practiced to perfection in the great railway system of the country. With the field levels totally dis-empowered, the so called power vests only in the hands of those who are never answerable for day to day or even long term operations. Is it not strange that not even one executive in the entire railway system can boast of even minimal financial authority in his domain and all decision makers have to be at the mercy of the backroom boys?
I find it difficult to accept that a guy who is just not responsible, besides being less committed, less knowledgeable and maybe of integrity levels lower than the executive, almost always sits on judgement on issues related to execution. This system is just not acceptable and warrants a change, if a change has to be brought about in the organization.
Why such a major dichotomy is not even visible to the top echelons defies logic?
The ivory tower approach is failing the railways day in and day out. Being as far removed from ground realities as possible is what the railway bureaucracy has wisely learnt. For it is only when one is far removed from ground realities, that the art of sermonizing can be safely and conveniently practiced. And the sermons are varied and plenty for it costs nothing to create and dispense them far and wide.
Evaluations, not based on results, but on attributes is another deadly trait adopted and regularly practiced by the upper bureaucratic crust of this monolith. This ensures that the emphasis remains confined only to processes with the objectives conveniently fading away till they are hardly remembered. The counter productive proliferation of inspection notes being issued by all and sundry and senseless counselling sessions of the field level staff are the most visible offshoots of the deadliness of this widely practiced trait. This one trait has successfully brought amazing levels of distortions in the system that is now almost at a standstill, but for the sincerity and loyalty of the supervisory cadre of the railways.
Too many of us in the upper crust, busy ruining well established practices and the system, yet downsizing unfortunately remaining confined to the supervisory and lower levels that are already reeling under massive shortages.
Hats off to the railway bureaucracy for achieving perfection in the fine art of appearing busy without an iota of deliverance.
Amen!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Public Service
Is it really public service that we are talking about? Sitting on a fairly high platform that offers me immense visibility, I am rather convinced that it is all about service of the self and for the self. The service of the public servants at large and definitely the “aam aadmi” is not even on the horizon.
Strange are the ways of the bureaucracy. While calling oneself a public servant is definitely the most visible connotation of power, the bureaucrat at large considers it below dignity to perform any action that smacks of public service of any kind. Public disservice it definitely is, for how does one explain the large scale misuse of manpower and other official facilities by the category of people classified as “public servants”?
These so called servants generally do not have any consideration for the pulse of the public, pulse that is amply visible through the print and electronic media. Consideration for the pulse of the boss it is, for how does one explain our total indifference to basic issues that plague railways like severe backlog of infrastructure and highly demotivated workforce and yet waste time on irrelevant issues senior bureaucrats may espouse. Reaction to basic issues that plague the public at large is also conditioned by the response of powers that be, and not by the seriousness or relevance of the Issue itself.
How the hell this focus less organization move forward in the present turbulent times is what I am unable to fathom. Perhaps diverting the blame for the ills of the organization at the altar of the political supremo may be the only course of action that our bureaucracy may find convenient.
Strange it is. Public servants blaming the public representatives for their own fiasco’s.
The blame game continues. The organization continues to sink deeper, yet the public servants continue to have a good time at the expense of the public.
Amen!
Strange are the ways of the bureaucracy. While calling oneself a public servant is definitely the most visible connotation of power, the bureaucrat at large considers it below dignity to perform any action that smacks of public service of any kind. Public disservice it definitely is, for how does one explain the large scale misuse of manpower and other official facilities by the category of people classified as “public servants”?
These so called servants generally do not have any consideration for the pulse of the public, pulse that is amply visible through the print and electronic media. Consideration for the pulse of the boss it is, for how does one explain our total indifference to basic issues that plague railways like severe backlog of infrastructure and highly demotivated workforce and yet waste time on irrelevant issues senior bureaucrats may espouse. Reaction to basic issues that plague the public at large is also conditioned by the response of powers that be, and not by the seriousness or relevance of the Issue itself.
How the hell this focus less organization move forward in the present turbulent times is what I am unable to fathom. Perhaps diverting the blame for the ills of the organization at the altar of the political supremo may be the only course of action that our bureaucracy may find convenient.
Strange it is. Public servants blaming the public representatives for their own fiasco’s.
The blame game continues. The organization continues to sink deeper, yet the public servants continue to have a good time at the expense of the public.
Amen!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Head & Mind
Where the head is held high and the mind is without fear - sounds like utopia.
Utopia it is, for all of us who tread on sarkari territory, the reality is starkingly different for the head is held low and the mind is full of fear almost all of the time.
Yes India is a nation of fear and heads lurking low. Heads are low because of absence of pride and the fear is the fear of the unknown. High on ego, but low on pride is what I discover when I interact with the railway bureaucracy. An ego that erupts over minor indiscretions by the subordinate but hibernates over even major insults inflicted by the powers that be. How I love the adjustable ego's of the railway bureaucracy, the higher the bloke in the feudal hierarchy, the more supple the ego he has.
And the fear of the unknown that kills initiative of any kind and makes one abhor risk taking even of a minor nature. Fear of transfers and fear of a less than outstanding CR, being the worst fears of a bureaucrat, especially of those confined to 5'6".
The head stoops low because of the lack of pride in anything we do as generally the mundane and wasteful acts keep us fully occupied. The inability to differentiate between remaining busy and deliverance is the culprit. And so the talks of achievement and importance are generally based on the days and time the bloke remains occupied in what he regards as official responsibilities. The head stoops low because of our sheer inability to make a diffference whatsoever, consequential or inconsequential.
Life is all about making a mark, a mark that is a reflection of the contribution that one makes to the society, a positive contribution, the negative ones being closer to a blot. A life spent without making a positive difference to the society is not a life worth living regardless of the altitude of the seat occupied or the wealth one has accumulated.
A deep thought before I retire for the day.
Amen!
Utopia it is, for all of us who tread on sarkari territory, the reality is starkingly different for the head is held low and the mind is full of fear almost all of the time.
Yes India is a nation of fear and heads lurking low. Heads are low because of absence of pride and the fear is the fear of the unknown. High on ego, but low on pride is what I discover when I interact with the railway bureaucracy. An ego that erupts over minor indiscretions by the subordinate but hibernates over even major insults inflicted by the powers that be. How I love the adjustable ego's of the railway bureaucracy, the higher the bloke in the feudal hierarchy, the more supple the ego he has.
And the fear of the unknown that kills initiative of any kind and makes one abhor risk taking even of a minor nature. Fear of transfers and fear of a less than outstanding CR, being the worst fears of a bureaucrat, especially of those confined to 5'6".
The head stoops low because of the lack of pride in anything we do as generally the mundane and wasteful acts keep us fully occupied. The inability to differentiate between remaining busy and deliverance is the culprit. And so the talks of achievement and importance are generally based on the days and time the bloke remains occupied in what he regards as official responsibilities. The head stoops low because of our sheer inability to make a diffference whatsoever, consequential or inconsequential.
Life is all about making a mark, a mark that is a reflection of the contribution that one makes to the society, a positive contribution, the negative ones being closer to a blot. A life spent without making a positive difference to the society is not a life worth living regardless of the altitude of the seat occupied or the wealth one has accumulated.
A deep thought before I retire for the day.
Amen!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sick bureaucracy!
That the main issue with the railways is its archaic and feudal bureaucracy is a thought that has got firmly ingrained in my mind with passage of time. This though is in direct conflict with the theory that attributes blame to politicians for the mess that the railways finds itself in today.
Yes, the bureaucracy is sick and needs surgery, a major surgery for how does one explain its total disregard of its human resource and also other major issues plaguing the railway system and remaining engrossed in trivialities.
The mess is total and absolute and that perhaps is the only credit we can take, that of a job performed in totality.
A bureaucracy that treats its subordinates with total disdain and kowtows to its superiors. A bureaucracy that displays a total ignorance of rules and procedures when it concerns them personally and an outstanding grasp when others are concerned. A bureaucracy that utilizes with impunity, railway staff at home but does not even bat an eyelid in punishing railway staff for minor indiscretions. A bureaucracy that has brought railways to this pass, almost bankrupt, derives sadistic pleasure in imposing major punishments for minor lapses. A bureaucracy that licks the backsides of its superiors and boots its subordinates.
A bureaucracy, the higher levels of which still believe that the best form of management is ridiculing and blaming its men for all the ills of the system. Levels that conveniently forget that the railways is not their fiefdom and in the process behave as the masters of the universe.
A bureaucracy that encourages only the spineless to rise and then deifies them till they retire and pass into oblivion.
A bureaucracy that neither looks inwards, nor outwards, but only at itself throughout the service period.
A bureaucracy that reminds one of the famous story of the Indian crabs.
How can the railways even dream of improving services and have world class aspirations, when it has an overbloated bureaucracy that constantly has on display the worst in men. And therefore while the world is moving on, we stay where we are, even sliding backwards at times.
Amen!
Yes, the bureaucracy is sick and needs surgery, a major surgery for how does one explain its total disregard of its human resource and also other major issues plaguing the railway system and remaining engrossed in trivialities.
The mess is total and absolute and that perhaps is the only credit we can take, that of a job performed in totality.
A bureaucracy that treats its subordinates with total disdain and kowtows to its superiors. A bureaucracy that displays a total ignorance of rules and procedures when it concerns them personally and an outstanding grasp when others are concerned. A bureaucracy that utilizes with impunity, railway staff at home but does not even bat an eyelid in punishing railway staff for minor indiscretions. A bureaucracy that has brought railways to this pass, almost bankrupt, derives sadistic pleasure in imposing major punishments for minor lapses. A bureaucracy that licks the backsides of its superiors and boots its subordinates.
A bureaucracy, the higher levels of which still believe that the best form of management is ridiculing and blaming its men for all the ills of the system. Levels that conveniently forget that the railways is not their fiefdom and in the process behave as the masters of the universe.
A bureaucracy that encourages only the spineless to rise and then deifies them till they retire and pass into oblivion.
A bureaucracy that neither looks inwards, nor outwards, but only at itself throughout the service period.
A bureaucracy that reminds one of the famous story of the Indian crabs.
How can the railways even dream of improving services and have world class aspirations, when it has an overbloated bureaucracy that constantly has on display the worst in men. And therefore while the world is moving on, we stay where we are, even sliding backwards at times.
Amen!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Life?
Life confuses -
Is life all about being in power or
About Rolling in cash or
Both
Is life all about merely raising a family and settling children
and leading a retired comfortable life Or
Is life all about helping others and being one with humanity
with no thought about caste, creed, position and belongings
A friend said -
"Bina Libaas aaye tey is jahaan mein
Bas ek kafan ki khatir itna safar karna pada"
And that gives another meaning to this journey when the futility of everything, every action gets illuminated
Or Is life all about just being at peace with oneself
Or is there a bigger meaning to life and if so then what it is?
Perhaps life is just to be lived to its fullest with all its ups and downs, both of which really do not matter in the long run, a long run that pales into insignificance when compared to the eternal run of the cosmos.
Confused am I and rightly so.
Amen!
Is life all about being in power or
About Rolling in cash or
Both
Is life all about merely raising a family and settling children
and leading a retired comfortable life Or
Is life all about helping others and being one with humanity
with no thought about caste, creed, position and belongings
A friend said -
"Bina Libaas aaye tey is jahaan mein
Bas ek kafan ki khatir itna safar karna pada"
And that gives another meaning to this journey when the futility of everything, every action gets illuminated
Or Is life all about just being at peace with oneself
Or is there a bigger meaning to life and if so then what it is?
Perhaps life is just to be lived to its fullest with all its ups and downs, both of which really do not matter in the long run, a long run that pales into insignificance when compared to the eternal run of the cosmos.
Confused am I and rightly so.
Amen!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Great Railway Circus!
Various thoughts firmed over thirty two years of railway service cloud my mind in anticipation of the ensuing rail budget today. That the biggest public sector undertaking in the globe is going through turbulent times is a reality that is disturbing the internal peace of the railway clan.
Dinesh Trivedi is perhaps one of the finest railway ministers ever. A suave, polished and honest gentleman who has a vision for the railways, a vision that if seriously pursued by the railway ministry shall give a new and a positive direction to this economic lifeline of the nation. Such opportunities and such ministers are rare and will the railway services (the nine gangs) be able to take advantage of the silver lining is a thought that bothers me.
Reports of the Kakodkar and Sam Pitroda committees are not eye openers. We already knew the issues, yet did nothing about them. The reports have simply stated the plain truth. Will the railway bureaucracy that finds solace in petty operational matters of a routine nature, be able to handle the issues that have been highlighted is a thought that has been churning my mind ever since these reports were published.
Indian Railways is a massive organization, the largest landowner in the nation and the biggest single employer in the world. Yet the top brasses of this monolith have never engrossed themselves in matters relating to "land" and "men". I have yet to attend a meeting convened at the apex levels where issues relating to protection/leveraging of land and welfare of the workforce is discussed. How can such an organization that cares two hoots about its land and its men move forward in the twenty-first century is a thought that troubles me.
A commercial organization of the 21st century, the top bureaucrats of which still practice the archaic management style of abusing and ridiculing their own men and blaming everyone else for the failures of the organization.
Well that is the Indian Railways that our humble and visionary minister has to pull out of the abyss. Will he be able to? I live on hope.
Insha Allah!
Dinesh Trivedi is perhaps one of the finest railway ministers ever. A suave, polished and honest gentleman who has a vision for the railways, a vision that if seriously pursued by the railway ministry shall give a new and a positive direction to this economic lifeline of the nation. Such opportunities and such ministers are rare and will the railway services (the nine gangs) be able to take advantage of the silver lining is a thought that bothers me.
Reports of the Kakodkar and Sam Pitroda committees are not eye openers. We already knew the issues, yet did nothing about them. The reports have simply stated the plain truth. Will the railway bureaucracy that finds solace in petty operational matters of a routine nature, be able to handle the issues that have been highlighted is a thought that has been churning my mind ever since these reports were published.
Indian Railways is a massive organization, the largest landowner in the nation and the biggest single employer in the world. Yet the top brasses of this monolith have never engrossed themselves in matters relating to "land" and "men". I have yet to attend a meeting convened at the apex levels where issues relating to protection/leveraging of land and welfare of the workforce is discussed. How can such an organization that cares two hoots about its land and its men move forward in the twenty-first century is a thought that troubles me.
A commercial organization of the 21st century, the top bureaucrats of which still practice the archaic management style of abusing and ridiculing their own men and blaming everyone else for the failures of the organization.
Well that is the Indian Railways that our humble and visionary minister has to pull out of the abyss. Will he be able to? I live on hope.
Insha Allah!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
India Shining!
The results of the mini general results ruffled quite a few feathers. The results not being what most of the pollsters expected them to be signifies the coming of age of the Indian electorate. That the Indian electorate cannot be taken for granted is a thought that the recent results reinforced further.
What surprised most were the UP results. The massive mandate for SP, the severe drubbing of the Congress and the inability of the BJP to maintain the leading position it had in the first two hours of counting were certainly not what the general electorate expected. The defeat of one of the honest politicians and the sitting Chief Minister General Khanduri accompanied by the majority of his cabinet colleagues also came as a shock to many. The results of Punjab also defied expectations and that Goa has finally been able to elect a stable dispensation is a welcome but fairy unexpected development.
That mere smiles and promising words can get crowds but not votes is also a lesson that many would have learnt from the results of this electoral battle.
The country has had enough of the rhetoric, both of the bureaucratic as well as the political kind. That it now needs a proper governance machinery is a thought clamoring for attention and acceptance. In recent times, the nation also had more than its share of financial scams and sexploits, indulged in both by the bureaucrats and politicos and it now appears that the people have decided not to take things lying down by clearly showing their preference for better governance. Yet what choice do they have, being stuck between the devil and the deep sea and do things really improve even after the voter has shown his choice fairly clearly?
Failed governance, yes India is now a powerful example of failed governance cutting across levels and sectors. Else how does one explain bad roads, inadequate water and electricity, acute poverty and beggary, truckloads of crime and corruption, right here in Delhi, the capital city of this nation of over a billion. The state of affairs in the rest of the nation, especially the hinterlands would not be difficult to visualize. India not for Indians but for the rich and the powerful is what aptly describes this nation of ours that in historical times was referred to as a golden pigeon. Yet there is a faint glimmer of hope.
Insha – Allah, we may rise again.
What surprised most were the UP results. The massive mandate for SP, the severe drubbing of the Congress and the inability of the BJP to maintain the leading position it had in the first two hours of counting were certainly not what the general electorate expected. The defeat of one of the honest politicians and the sitting Chief Minister General Khanduri accompanied by the majority of his cabinet colleagues also came as a shock to many. The results of Punjab also defied expectations and that Goa has finally been able to elect a stable dispensation is a welcome but fairy unexpected development.
That mere smiles and promising words can get crowds but not votes is also a lesson that many would have learnt from the results of this electoral battle.
The country has had enough of the rhetoric, both of the bureaucratic as well as the political kind. That it now needs a proper governance machinery is a thought clamoring for attention and acceptance. In recent times, the nation also had more than its share of financial scams and sexploits, indulged in both by the bureaucrats and politicos and it now appears that the people have decided not to take things lying down by clearly showing their preference for better governance. Yet what choice do they have, being stuck between the devil and the deep sea and do things really improve even after the voter has shown his choice fairly clearly?
Failed governance, yes India is now a powerful example of failed governance cutting across levels and sectors. Else how does one explain bad roads, inadequate water and electricity, acute poverty and beggary, truckloads of crime and corruption, right here in Delhi, the capital city of this nation of over a billion. The state of affairs in the rest of the nation, especially the hinterlands would not be difficult to visualize. India not for Indians but for the rich and the powerful is what aptly describes this nation of ours that in historical times was referred to as a golden pigeon. Yet there is a faint glimmer of hope.
Insha – Allah, we may rise again.
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