HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

         

         The peoples mandate has resounded around the globe. Not only was the Indian Election of 2014 the largest event in human history so far, but the magnum opus played out the full drama. A classic tale of the Prince and the Pauper, of establishment and commonplace, of academic debates and ground reality, Election 2014 had captured the imagination of India like the call for Freedom struggle.

The outcomes are already history, the future one of promise, rhetoric has given way to sober talk, and ‘hum’ has replaced ‘apna’and ‘paraya’.

           A bad odour is spiralling out of the event. It’s not sour, its not defeat, its not anger, shame, hypocrisy, betrayal, treachery. It is bad sportsmanship!

           How a party of elite gentry, educated in India’s finest academies and then groomed in the most hallowed of universities abroad, a gentry that knows the meaning of ‘good sportsmanship’, cultural behaviour and dignified conduct should stoop to such churlish levels defies the logic of investment in premium education in premium environment. 

            The Congress Party have not only exposed their disconnect from the mandate of the Indian people, but have sadly tarnished the reputation of the 130 year old party with their undignified behaviour. It is difficult to retain composure when you awaken to the knowledge that you have humiliated a venerable institution. But this is the aspect of elite breeding and ancestry. A stiff upper lip, be a good sport champ! Instead we have ex ministers fatuously lecturing to the people of the country that we must remember to be united to the idea of India. Is this mandate with a vote share of over 60% of the electorate not a demonstration and affirmation of the unity of the people? The sulking spoil sports did not have the grace to congratulate the people for upholding democratic traditions. Some others pouted and simpered in ghoulish gaze predicting the advent of doomsday.

              In fairy tales, the conniving stepmother and coterie are banished. The Indian ethos, home grown amidst dust, toil and honest sweat does not encourage such shameful display of vengeance and gloat. The honest sentiment is accommodation and courtesy. It was finally left to President Pranab Mukherjee to retrieve courtesy and grace that comes as his legacy and walk out to see off the outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A solemn dignified gesture that resonates with our tradition, a fitting finale as opposed to tantrums and runaways, that would otherwise have scripted the end.