P C K Prem
A Bureaucrat Reveals Actualities - Awesome
Cynicism and Bruised Truths
It is after a long
inner struggle that one resolves to write what one feels. A
strong urge to share experiences and impressions with others
drives one to ink what he thinks. Initial, reluctance over,
he sits down to write. Without inner pushups nothing seems
to work and, in the process, he wanders along several
memories’ lanes, garners some pearls, a few shingles and a
fistful of scowls and sits through irritating moments
fancied or unsolicited.
Avay Shukla’s Poly Ticks, DeMocKrazy & Mumbo Jumbo:
Babus, Mantries &
Netas (UN) Making Our Nation, Pippa Rann Books & Media, an imprint of
Salt Desert Media Group Limited, U.K. is an instructive
study of a bureaucrat’s mind. It carries an appealing
foreword, Shashi Tharoor, a former UN
under-secretary-general, an author of nearly two dozen books
for this album of Blogs Avay Shukla an IAS officer writes.
Shukla has held senior positions in administration, and
lastly, retired as Additional chief Secretary of Himachal
and keeping sideways a few little
edifying anecdotes or tales grandparents (?) told, labelled
as verbal blogs or blogging with variations carry exciting
import. Some turn into textual frames, later, take the shape
of writing diaries carrying split reminisces with some
egoistic lies and truths with inter-textual contexts, and a
few proud expressions of wisdom and knowledge bearing mask
of an honest theoretical deluge.
One can wind up, as
existing times are quick and run about with some essence and
a few with waggish and luxuriant transitory missive as if
junk food irrespective of global marquee. With the growth of
digitalization, social media is transporting cultural
variants, a mess of new genres of habits with obnoxious pong
of neo-culture as skeptical attitude to heritage spreads to
prolix along with a difference. It is an age of global
thought undoubtedly but selectively it gives adequate
reasons to megalomaniac tendencies among the living
politicians in some portions of human territories, which
kill universal spirit of humanity, and as such current times
are turning difficult rather suicidal. It drives one to just
a communiqué that transmits information in continuity,
possibly factual or phony sans seminal or per-formative
incline.
He
wields his coop and ink with a classic acumen, spooky knack
with perfect acuity that hit deep but you cannot see the
wounds. He is not skeptic but his fierce scorn terrifies.
Perhaps, it was the objective when he began blogging
deep-rooted anxieties and thoughts about men and society at
the micro level with intent to stretch it to cosmic breadth.
I recall the suave
face of a little fidgety but apparently pleasing person of
unusual warmth, who had been a fine officer with impeccable
integrity. His blogs continued to appear infrequently in
newspapers and journals. Amazingly, an ‘unserious writer’
has so far written more than three hundred thoughtful,
mordant and witty blogs before he started his
blog site in 2013. An outstanding civil servant when writes
about his phenomenal and awesome range of experiential
wisdom, it is difficult to disagree to his short notes
relating to the system, socio-economic and political
insight. …and when these notes take the form of blogs, I am
tempted to consider these as part of literature with traces
of autographical gears.
A blog contains
biographical element but it is not biography. However, it is
expression of the creator’s worries, anxieties and
perspectives about life and existence where he tries to
philosophize on man and society. This offers passable solid
fulcrum to stand and move about while avoiding direct
confrontation with the targeted boundary but scholars of
literary art cannot ignore it. This standpoint on Avay’s
blogs brings him nearer to literature.
A
sophisticated man as he is, Avay Shukla is mild but when he
writes, he is stridently candid, unsparing and true, the
destination he spells out looks as if culled out of varied
experiences, impressions, encounters with the low and the
high, the charlatans and the supercilious, and this candor
with faint disinclination tells of his intractable prowess.
Bloggers have also a difficult task to share the thoughts
with the most recognized, and rarely with the unknown and if
it is, it is with hesitation. To me it was an experience to
read blogs of a man in a book form - particularly an
inconspicuously honest senior bureaucrat.
For the
inquisitive readers, I selectively speak of his discursive
blogs to give a feel of his ferocious wielding of pen power
where one confronts naked truths of men of substance in
social, economic and political areas. The tinges,
intonations and modulations he employs carry a mystic that
mesmerizes with guarded authenticity. Those men, who govern
the entire system, now, have begun to usurp cultural, social
and religious life and habits surreptitiously and at times,
overtly as if human beings are battery-operated -a huge
farce, and brutal distortion of ethical bases.
We know the
situation that the current times are offensive and ghastly
but we do not accept. Universal issues of religious
prejudice, pollution and climatic changes are subjects of
worries and we are finding solutions but secretly we
understand the imminent catastrophe born of cynical reason.
It is nothing else but sham perception or ‘false
consciousness’ as Peter Sloterdijk, a German philosopher
says. Shukla’s anxiety is how to be genuine and of some use
to the society who bears the burden of feeding fat a
disgustingly corrupt and loutish mechanism of authority that
determines people destiny.
A pathetic flow of this strain continues in almost
all the blogs and so he makes thoughtful men sit up and
deliberate. He also offers a few jokey and hysterical
moments where you laugh at your conduct - atypical and
idiosyncratic.
Of the year 2014, he
includes three blogs giving scenarios of some issues, which
are speciously simple but inapt handling turns these into
passive derision and obliviously solvable flaws and hiatus
among the wealthy where the poor live in repugnant living
conditions suffering from dearth of basic facilities. The
dominant in all wings of ubiquitous system including the
bureaucrats (he forgets not), enjoy and manipulate
obnoxiously with least compunction. A spirited statement to
awaken
the reflexive eaters or abusers of taxpayers’ money, Avay
appears to make not sparing the police, the forest and the
Public works Department…he says little but speaks of a
diseased structure and the people who run it even as the
chaotic situation agitations create and on the top of it,
pollution suffocates.
The blogger vlogs
like subject experts and quotes irrefutable figures and
historical background to prove his point…fate of Yamuna,
which is almost dead as Delhi causes eighty per cent
pollution. Here, he tells about Tihar Regency that is an
innovative thought of a different empire -a creation of an
hotelier’s mind where he speaks about future occupants of
Tihar who would be equally influential and powerful people.
…it is blunt truth about rulers and rich people. No, he may
not be true for, big people have escape routes, and the dark
areas of their lives appear illuminated. Nothing happens and
that takes us back as to why he thinks everyone engaged in
the construction of national edifice to bring good
god-blessed days - achhe din, are ‘honey badgers. He does it
and asks to deliberate seriously, for we are nothing but
puffed up string-puppets and finally, pushed into little
heap of ashes.
Avay is
not a philosopher! He is an ordinary man with sharp eyes and
piercing understanding, who looks seemingly at small
incidents pertaining to common man’s life made difficult by
equally ordinary men, who somehow occupy the pedestal and
look big and then, began …the big circus of which they are
the participants. True to his style of unearthing secrets of
human nature, he let slips Indians instinctive love for
money and the source of black money. To enquire into the
extent of black money is an interesting subject but it never
reaches any conclusion despite efforts of Sarkari agencies
–Laksmi is important for all. Hindus love money is an
indubitable truth. He raises issues of real estate property
sector. It makes an interesting study with the dawn of
consumer society, a postmodern concept that violates ethics
and promotes self-interest. Whatever maladies make the
situation nauseating need no involvedness in finding a
resolution. He suggests religion of good governance will
solve not only the disease of black money but it will cure
many other ailments.
Some
lighthearted observations on Budget Deficit -a seriously
perennial financial dilemma, the finance department faces
reveals some good-humored facets defying solution.
Continuity in deficit budgeting is embryonic. The man
holding this portfolio must be an expert in employing
figures to cheer up benches and people with a few bouquets
and many brickbats –an annual feature where the government
calls it an ideal budget and the opposition traditionally
calls it malfunctioning of the government. However, none gets
rid of the deficit budget. A keen observer of human mind and
internal or external activity is never restive, and here,
the word budget gives multiple meanings pertaining to human
trust in assorted human acts. If a man is bereft of trust,
it is an awesome fragile existence and man begins to live in
‘the trust deficit’ and a sort of disbelief begins to guide
one to routine pushing one to sidesplitting, and at times,
mortifying twists in trials and denials.
His experiences on
sense of humour draw witty conclusion whether in social or
political phraseology. An intelligent man with a lethal
sense of brusque irony and monikers certain grades and
stages of society with harsh jibe or punch, and invokes
Shashi Tharoor, who coins phrases with terrific maneuvering
calculus where you appear to attack but fail to find the
wound. On such occasions, you make fun but appear to laugh
sans ostensible peripheral hurt. Shukla’s draws out material
of blogs from everyday encounters. Delineation of life of a
smart city unveils certain perplexing and eerie dimensions
of life bordering on frenzied upsurge that make deep
hollows. To grant textual authenticity to experience is a
huge exercise in the choice of words, it looks here. At
certain places, swanks of ancient heritage or cultural
outdated burden surface while a few live in fantasy of
fractured elegance without vigour or outward nonspecific
ability to stand up and face current mayhem.
It is a serious
attempt to open up one’s dark areas of ignorance, and wisdom
as well… and find out what a very stylish bureaucrat says,
and then withdraws before the finale. He is as true as an
‘obtuse but stubborn 65-year old’, when generational scuffle
begins …while fast growing technology assaults your
lethargic reflexes and you begin to cultivate relations
through social media and try to become Face-bookiya or crack
(wise?) jokes through WhatsApp, Twitter etc. and enjoy.
Perhaps, he was feeling easy at that time now that the new
media tycoons plan to realize money…you get nothing for
nothing and so you waste time on your smart cell, you think
you hand out wise idioms or knowledge! What a wise …no
idiotic living now a day! Publicity free with dangerous fall
out…we refuse to agree as dependence upon apps deepens woes.
Well, Avay never permits you to sit and think or sleep with
trouble-free smugness.
He
portrays dinner parties of the rich people, who turn up
late…and continue to slog on to late night, normally
midnight hour. Spend money, enjoy life amidst …and pay
little as taxes to the government…a clear statement in a
light humouredly way he makes, is expected of a suave -big
babu as a bow becomes conspicuous. This lifestyle has
culture, elegance and history of sorts that determine the
fate of those, who collect and cook food, weave stories of
growth and then collapse …is the unwritten message when he spells out
the meaningful list of invites whose alliance and obeisance
matter. Here, the line of demarcation is very thin…all are
in the tandoori fire of leisure, pleasure and waste where
survival is no question.
From
2017 to 2020, I have included more than twenty-five select
blogs, which appear to take up some good issue. The first
being bribe, which is very familiar and not only Indian but
people of other countries seem deeply entrenched. To bribe
‘deities and gods’ right from time a newly born attains
perception of living and environment is normal. He speaks of the
Modi’s sustained efforts to weed out the virus of kickback
quite strong in India for the last hundreds of years …and of
religious places where it is quite proverbial. It is to
please the deities or gods, and appear philanthropic in
conduct. To elect a corrupt man is our choice and to condemn
him is the nature. Pledge to destroy the demon of bribe is
alive in Indians mind, heart and words with a restrained
sense of sarcasm and aversion.
Deep-rooted in cultural structure, the blogger talks
of ‘mass movement’, a conceptual impeachment without
definite outcome, for vocal cords get worn-out.
Shukla’s sense of
going to the origin of sardonic yarn is stunning.
Intellectuals have a queer sense of mixing up history in
personal utterances emerging in certain situations almost
nonchalantly but give immense meaning. When he reminds of
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s ‘animal spirits’ in a gathering of
industrialists, it is impregnated with meaningful
connotations but now, ‘animal spirit’ means authentic entry
in daily phraseology. Such names are quite prevalent in
important discourses that are acerbic, detrimental and
rudimentary with a tinge of poor civilizing impact on
audience but because ‘fish, fowl and such creatures, caged
parrot, buffaloes, etc create some moments of hilarity in
human conduct and linguistic finesse. Political language
will attain such depth of crudity with a sense of tribal
sneers was never visualized earlier when I was in the
university and met some awesome academics.
Then, a dog of the
AAP minister in Delhi… and a similar incident in another
state what a fun it is! The quizzical fun is when an
ordinary man attains legendary fame, thanks to media hype
even as role of high-ups …are subject to scrutiny…and then
the ever worshipful Cow…that makes one vulgarly hypocrite,
the inference is obvious ignoring passionate adoring of
ancient sages against theoretic love and worship of man
today, a great issue? Again, GST of Arun Jaitley is a
renewed reflection on taxation with many insinuations and a
few bouquets but it survives and collects fabulous money for
the government as the reluctant consumer and taxpayer looks
on…a pitiable condition in a democracy! It raises many
questions and offers uneasy situations with far-fetched
explanation.
At times, non-issues
gain credence and more provocative questions stay back, for
no self-styled opinion makers have time to deliberate on
serious questions of public interest. He says some
unforgiving truths about Aadhar. What is this prime time
news? Nothing special but attracts stupor and insolence, and
still gathers scrap of approbation. Working style of Netas
is typically crazy in clutches of parataxis giving rise to
endemic confusion flouting any defrayal. He hints at many
crossings but then suddenly alters the direction, and it
results in little governance, more clamor and wearisome
guarantees even as Netas conceive ways to penetrate privacy
causing distrust widespread.
Avay makes it more
fascinating when he imagines last rights…yes, many of his
age-bracket may not survive to find Rahul or Arvind Kejriwal
…as the Pee Em …the list appears distended! The mode extends
to the ‘pious, the wealthy and the stupid’ and makes one sit
up and strike his head when he hits at fiscal anguish or
drifter’s legacy. The
financial wizards or jamboree of Netas and pen pushers is a
fine directory of wisdom-watchers, who find people are
dim-witted, and do not know the laws of nudging, fudging and
shoving –or those with intent to shut eyes to reality.
In bits and pieces,
one encounters scathing scrutiny of some men in authority,
who function only to impede, and so no work and enjoy being
string-puppets. Perhaps, gone are the days, when politicians
worked on certain norms, now it is all spurious. If he
briefly writes about the nature of a few Prime Ministers,
the remarks are apt and make one emit an ironic smile. Among
them, Modi is a man, who does not know anger! Multiple
thoughts about the system, lead to colossal vacuum the
bungling sycophants fill and then, a sense of humour is
apparent when he talks on a funny real incident about a
beggar he met near the Khan Market. He has the cruel
penchant to reveal even some dark spots in ‘the self’ to an
unusual extent. …his raw and crude experiences are lessons
one is inclined to agree for these happen with every astute
fellow watching life closely some time like a jester or a
boulevard theorist.
In an exclusively
singular tone, in his late seventies, he wraps up that it is
not safe to travel in India…and then he reveals the wisdom
and knowledge of marketing managers who fix advertising
slots on TV for condom. …What a fine loom to teach ethics
and save adolescents from…! To me it seems both a
bureaucratic and a political jugglery. He is abruptly
obvious as he writes about holy cows and loose cannons, and
reveals slow but obstinate efforts to rewrite history that
pleases the powers-that-be. A short incisive journey in
lanes of street food –junk –from Vada pav to Shiv Vada pav
to Pakoda is exciting…as a cheering technique to attract
votes perhaps! Visiting back lanes is derisory but true and
his exploration in taking loan speaks of travails of an
honest babu.
Many glimpses of
humour that might appear preposterous to some but realities
of anomalous human conduct at times appear archetypal when
he writes disdainfully of unnatural sex underscoring
monstrosity of rapes despite efforts to curb and then,
atrocious obstructions in getting justice amidst
candle–marches and sloganeering…! Many a time, he resurrects
memories and at that time, he recounts ardently many
reminiscences with which many would identify and that makes
blogs exciting and insightfully nasty as well. However, his
forthrightness is enviable and formidable too, and many a
time it is gentle, maybe godly but to reveal inner truths
while gathering bits of unwholesome and gauche past needs a
rocky intellect.
He opens up hearts
of politicians and tries to find the truth but stops. If one
or two or VIPs…Chief Ministers get a clean chit in financial
matters, others linger on, and another gives himself a clean
chit…despite loud cries and howling of the adversaries.
Funny but true rituals among politicians to cast aspersion
or abuse at each other it is when in power or out of power,
and sufferers are the people and thus, cleaning of dirty
linen continues…with changed taxonomy and to this extent
blogger tries to awaken himself. …or maybe he
knocks us down, but we, the people of India, love long sleep
and lies before vanishing, for we ignore with knowledge the
Indian ancient wisdom and vision.
He is ironic but
beneath he strives hard or avoids a message –the note that
the intellectuals and bureaucrats, who reflect on issues and
individuals like him, should strike their heads, overlook
niceties and finesse and pick up mobiles. …whatsApp, Face
book etc are best to preach, inform and learn free of tax,
cess or adjuncts and waste time tellingly without hurting
anyone.
He is apt in
painting a picture of morning walk in a park…where the
gathering of three, four or more talks about bowels,
indigestion etc or honest chat about current issues as if TV
debates without outcome. Here, worthy spokesmen of political
parties or retired police officers or bureaucrats forcefully
express anxiety about people’s issues …and the stupid
squabble prolongs …to make
you cry. He is a keen observant of persons, words
spoken and surroundings including life in totality and looks
at it as a blunt critic with safety valves and it is right,
for Netas and System are not convenient to truth.
He is candid when he
speaks of urban culture and street markets and if one agrees
with the thought of Pakoras… of Mr Amit Shah that street
markets and pavements are good for self –employment. Then,
just think of Constitution that wants people…to be
‘critical’ and inspiring when questions of ‘inquiry’ and
‘reform’ arise, and the actualities that intelligentsia
confronts and at time, vegetates in jail waiting for bail.
He hints at the existing mindset of intolerance and closing
doors to free barter of opinion sans bitterness and fear of
regime agencies.
Perhaps, no one is
keen to find the root cause of germs of undefined
intolerance and hatred. Such truths disturb a thinking man
whether rightist, leftist or centralist or indifferent to
any ideology, and give a shock, ‘Death, where is thy sting?’ Avay Shukla
truthfully underlines the undying microbes with a deterrent
proviso. In an analogous hint, he talks of some truths about
budget and the magic of benign inanity.
Financial experts
love to play with figures unfortunately fabricated and still
they maintain they state the truth and the disease of
importunate deficit stares to scare and subdue. The shrewd finance
managers had never been able to present a surplus budget but
to talk of foreseeable loan to burden the people. When he
writes about budget and religion, he is a bit ironic, more
contemptuous, and dangerously true, and perhaps awkward to
many, for living with some principles of life, is difficult
in present times and he is not an exception.
One runs into
cynicism, mourning and lamentation, sermons and ultimate
retreat. Questions of keeping distance from vile elements in
the system in which he lived long empirical affliction are
not amusing but more exigent and grueling. I found,
notwithstanding, his observations on the conduct of Netas
and Babus he conveys a subtle message. If one listens to the
intrinsic thought pattern and objective, one would realize
what he tells so ingeniously and it makes blogs brilliant.
The other unkind truth is that a bureaucrat lives a life of
futility (?) despite its fortunes and cynical mind-set, I
would say. God bless. Amen!