The Benefit of Hindsight

May be 'it' is human nature and therefore pervades this globe but I am sure that 'it' is present in large parts of India. This 'it' is the tendency of Indians to pass judgements with the benefit of hindsight. You may do well to remember how people were hell bent upon castigating M S Dhoni over his decision to promote Ravindra Jadeja. Now we all are admiring M S Dhoni for his captaincy in finals of Compaq cup. Virtually every bowling change he made worked (even listless R P Singh got Jayasuriya to cut one straight to Virat Kohli). Not just in cricket but look at any other walk of life. People were critical of the UPA before the elections, criticizing their failures to get partners in UP and Bihar. Rahul Gandhi was said to be too involved in Amethi and not venturing out in other areas of Uttar Pradesh. Now he is being credited with wooing voters from all sections of society. It may well be the case that Rahal was active in other areas or that the candidates won it on their own but no; we will pass our judgement because we have the benefit of hindsight.

Before the elections Advani, Modi and even Varun Gandhi were charismatic. Now, even the BJP holds them responsible for this debacle. The Indian government was a butt of ridicule for going slow on deregulation. Now we see all the virtues in this policy after India escaped the global financial crisis to a large extent. More recently a national newspaper carried an article on 'shifting political wind' in Gujarat. Now that the BJP has done very well in just conclude bypolls I want to look at their analysis.

Hindsight offers us more information to analyze situations but we should be magnanimous enough to acknowledge our shortcomings while passing judgements.

Simplicity in Indian Politics

Recently, there was a furore when two ministers of the UPA government were asked to vacate their five star 'abode' (they stayed there > 3 months). The minsiters claimed they were living on their own expenses. They have their declared assets in crores and it is not beyond their reach to stay in five star hotels and of course they should have right to do what they want with their own money just like we have.

But there is some difference between us and them. We are not public figures. We are not accountable to public. We can be extravagant. We can spend our money on expensive parties. We can purchase expensive watches, cameras, laptops, cars, clothings etc. We are not bound by any accountability to public or have to be a role model for public. We pay entertainment tax and that ends our responsibility towards nation. Although Gandhiji would have expected us to be austere in all walks of life when 40% of our population lives hand to mouth, who cares for his thoughts now. Not even government.

So much for self evaluation. These two are public figures who could have shown example to others by spending this money in a better cause. They can learn something from their party icon. However, to buy their argument of expenditure of self earned money we should be given access to their bills. Is it not highly likely that hotels who earn a lot by hosting foreign dignitaries will subsidise stay of External Affairs ministers?