Punjabi antenna

The influence of values

By

Randeep Wadehra

Sajjari Saver on DD Punjabi hosted a talk on difference in values arising due to generation gap. The invitee suggested that children invariably inherit value systems from their parents. Various acts of dishonesty and apathy by parents insidiously mould their progeny’s set of values which, eventually, impacts the polity at large. This was reflected in a PTC News documentary that highlighted the plight of debt ridden marginal farmers in Punjab. Since the three main political parties of Punjab – BJP, SAD and INC – have no stake in their welfare the poor have been left to fend for themselves. However, they have enough time, energy, and “social conscience” to take up cudgels on behalf of the proven criminal Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar!

Similar value system has been fostering tolerance towards corruption.  But, now, there is a groundswell of resentment against it. Otherwise why would Punjab’s SAD-BJP government envisage a Right to Services Ordinance?  And, the Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal explain on Straight Talk (PTC News) how his government had abolished the need for filing affidavits in several spheres – thus foreclosing opportunities for corruption’s spread. But the opposition Congress party is not convinced about the government’s intentions. ‘Why such haste?’ They ask. Instead of the Ordinance the Act itself could have been passed after the Bill was duly debated and voted upon in the legislature. Captain Amrinder Singh even questioned the very need for such an Act (news item in Day and Night News channel). In fact, both Day and Night News and PTC held discussions on the issue. Predictably, most of the participants focused on the SAD-BJP’s intentions rather than dissecting the various factors that could make the Rights to Services Act an effective tool in ushering in an era of corruption free efficiency in the various government departments. But, then, informed and objective debates require value systems that have yet to manifest themselves among the region’s ruling as well as chattering classes. However, the debate on the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill (Day and Night News) was informative and thought provoking.

A different value system impels the likes of Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and Dr. Harshwanti Bisht to take up the thankless job of fighting environment pollution. If Seechewal is fighting the corrupt and cussed establishment, avaricious business community and general ignorance to save Punjab’s water systems and resources, Bisht has been trying to save Himalayas from the march of civilization that is destroying the entire ecosystems in that region. On Khabarsaar (Zee Punjabi) both the activists bemoaned the apathy of common people – especially the middle classes – towards the ongoing environmental degradation. The ongoing economic progress has blinded the middle-classes to the fact that if the rivers emanating from Himalayan glaciers die the entire northern region’s economy would be destroyed beyond redemption. With glaciers in Gangotri and elsewhere in the great mountain chain dwindling at alarming rates this dismal scenario is fast becoming a distinct possibility. Similarly, Seechewal was at pains to explain that clean water systems are in the interests of not only the common Punjabis but also the business and ruling classes. But, short term gratification through bribes is subverting all efforts to save this vital natural resource. Corruption raises its sinister head here too! In fact corruption has been the flavor of the season, as far as the electronic media is concerned.

Since Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev have been hyped as icons of struggle against corruption let the last word be from Jatinder Pannu (DD Punjabi’s Khaas khabar ek nazar) who compared the value systems of Hazare and Ramdev thus, “After retiring from the army Hazare gave away all his wealth including retirement benefits for the good of the society and doesn’t own even a frippery (kaani kowdi) whereas Ramdev started in life without even a frippery in his pocket but now owns a multi-crore empire!”

Published in The Tribune dated 25 June, 2011

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