Growing culture of chamchagiri : Rubbishing merit, diligence
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 13 2015 -

Butterballs. No longer a term used only in schools or colleges but which is becoming more and more relevant in today’s world.

This much is true in a place like Manipur where only those who have merited the art of sucking up to the boss or the master are awarded and given recognition.

A look around should testify this.

Today it is not merit or even seniority which determines how far a Government employee will go up but how far one is willing to please the political babus.

The same is true in other aspects of life. The masters are many and need not necessarily be the political netas.

Given the ground reality here, it is not only the political leaders or officialdom which one has to please but also the power players and there are many of them.

Mastering the art of knowing how to say yes to them seems to determine one’s journey in life and this is what is disturbing.

Merit and diligence no longer count for much if one is not willing to toe the line and directives of the powers that be.

And it stands that the high rise buildings and latest cars and other comforts of life are directly linked to the willingness to kow tow to the directives and diktats of the rich and powerful.

The art of knowing how to say yes seems to be more important than one’s performance as a student or as someone in service.

This is endemic and is no longer confined to the Government employees alone. So widespread is this culture that almost everyone have to know how to please the powerful and this power need not always come legitimately.

How such a trend started need not be spelt out here, but it is a reality which must be haunting all hard-working, brilliant and diligent professionals.

Butterballs are there not only to score higher marks in the class examination but also to promote one’s career and this stinks and is revolting.

No wonder Manipur continues to be caught in a time warp with nothing much to show that things will improve. This mentality has to change.

It would be naive to expect the babus or those coming down lower in the pecking order to initiate the much needed change.

And this is where the obligations of those occupying positions of power and influence need to start acting.

Do they really need and want only butterfingers to do their bidding ?

Inquisitive minds should be encouraged and allowed to flourish.

Space should be created for everyone to have a say in matters that concern them.

Silencing them with the silent threat of marking them out for the rest of their career would amount to killing different ideas from coming up.

This is the age of ideas and no effort should be spared to try and identify different ideas and put them into practice.

For too long, Manipur has been caught in a time warp and perhaps the time is right for everyone to pool in their thoughts and identify those whose only claim to fame is knowing how to cosy up to the rich and the powerful.

This is one sure way of ensuring that the foundation of society does not get rusted when exposed to the elements of nature. Promote efficiency and discard chamchagiri.