MEMO FROM NARA

Are we competent enough to comment on others and their actions? It was a question bothered me since a long time. When asked some of my friends answered affirmatively. Decisions are being taken at government level, judicial level, business level, political level and many other levels. Every one of us is not master of all. Still we think we are. So we start commenting on others’ affairs. We may not have the full knowledge of a particular problem such as nuclear energy, climate change, genetically modified organisms, foreign direct investment (FDI), and corruption in high places etc. Still with little knowledge on these problems we express our viewpoints, vehemently at times. Such viewpoints invariably will have a selfish motif too.

Every viewpoint expressed by everyone has some value. One cannot disregard it outright, because viewpoints are valuable for consideration. Although all viewpoints are not acceptable to the authorities concerned, some of them will certainly provide a chance to think deep before taking a decision. Generally, decisions are taken after due consideration to social life and progress of the country. In a democratic setup, viewpoints are welcomed before taking a decision of national interest. But in a non-democratic country the decisions are taken without caring for peoples’ point of view.

One of the important aspects we have to keep in mind is that every decision taken by the authorities in an organization including the government is opposed or commented by some people. Such actions delay the implementation of the decisions. Who cares? Opposing for opposing sake or commenting for commenting sake has become habitual with many of us. Due to such attitude, ruling a country becomes very difficult for any political party or running an organization by an individual or group of individuals.

We support a decision if it benefits us. If not, we decide to express our comments and opposition through protest march, bandhs, fasting until death etc. All these actions are to compel the authorities to accept our point of view. These pressure tactics, at times, lead to violence too. Inconvenience to the public is caused by stopping the train and buses, damaging public properties and at times clashing with people who hold different viewpoints. We may be competent or incompetent to comment on others and others’ actions. But still we have the right to do so as the citizens of a nation.