By Nishthar Idroos –
Nishthar Idroos
It’s somewhat comical if not disgraceful to see intelligent, mature and knowledgeable people with grand academic credentials behave in the most puerile manner when lot is expected, especially at a time when the nation is impatiently seeking results in the aftermath of a major socio-economic trial that impacted most Sri Lankans in an adverse manner. It included a gargantuan heist, accomplished with immaculate precision by the brothers. The dreary legacy also accompanied major lapses in good governance. People were reeling with high inflation and a steadily depreciating rupee insidiously eating into the purchasing power. We‘re still not out of the woods. The road is long and the servants have to work hard.
These are not normal times, these are exceptional times. Poverty and general economic difficulty are raining down on the people. They’re being overwhelmed and crushed from every possible angle. Instead of putting all efforts, energies and resources to resolve issues of people we see two “thotta baba’s” whining and nasal complaining apparent discontent not worth the effort and time of the President to intervene and make resolution. When will these guys grow? I wish I had the ability to portray the disgust of the people in poetry and place it before professor Rajiva Wijesinha, the one who is at the centre of this silly case involving his supposed resignation over an even sillier bureaucratic bungling.
Rajiva
We want our legislators to grow up and not just come of age; there is a huge difference between the two. I am reminded of a typically Sri Lankan witty idiomatic phrase which goes like this “Uncle and Aunty are quarrelling, when asked why they are quarrelling? It’s said they’re quarrelling over the stem of the tobacco leaf. Oh servants of the people get one thing straight. There is nothing more deserving of your attention than the burning issues of the people. Finding ways to feed Punchi Manike’s three kids is more important than your ill-smelling tobacco leaf.
Professor Rajiva Wijesinha should have resolved the issue with Minister Kabir Hashim more professionally and in a dignified manner without bringing the whole saga to the public domain. The good professor had to say just one thing to Minister Kabir Hashim and the whole issue would have been resolved, “Kabir please make sure this does not happen again”. Instead the naughty boy waits near the principal’s office inconsolably sobbing to lodge an official complaint, not before he upstages a plethora of infantile tantrums and engages in creative bouts of self-pity. The people of Sri Lanka did not give a mandate for this kind of infancy. We are fast approaching the 50 day mark of the 100 day program. A lot has been achieved and lots more have not been achieved. Let’s try and disengage from the wrangling and the petulant, peevish arguments and focus on deadlines and deliveries. This is what matters.
Faizer
I seriously wonder if any of our ministers have had the opportunity to fully fathom the magnitude of the expectations reposed on them. The general folk may not fully comprehend why a national government is necessary but they certainly know what will come out from one. Good governance behoves that personal and ministerial aberrations are not allowed to exacerbate. Hence arresting them within the very confines of the establishment is sine quo non. If democracy is simply the bludgeoning of the people, by the people for the people? Sri Lankans have been mercilessly bludgeoned in the last ten years. They can’t take it anymore. In Sri Lanka it certainly looks like that while one administration steals the other reels, yeah it certainly stinks. This shouldn’t be the case. Those that cannot work for the people should be shown the door and escorted to it.
As for the Former State Minister of Aviation Faizer Mustapha he has an irresistible propensity to globe trot soon after every apparent disagreement with the administration. Singapore has proved a favourite destination for him. Without summoning all the courage he has as a successful legal eagle, the young former minister indulges in his beloved pastime – escapism. Perhaps the idyllic and salubrious climes of Singapore inter-alia coalesce to engender a psychological ballast for the former minister to recompose, reinvigorate and rejuvenate for better oratorical performances both in the august assembly in the Diyawadana Oya and in front of the press. This kind of behaviour is the very antithesis of good governance. Representative democracy dictates that you fully devote and utilize scarce resources including time for the good and welfare of the people.
Good governance is accountability, Good governance is transparency, Good governance follows rule of law, Good governance is responsive, Good governance is equitable and inclusive, Good governance is effective and efficient, Good governance is participatory, Good governance works solely for the people amidst constraints and hardship. Let the boys get back to their respective classes and start working sincerely for the people.
Roy / February 26, 2015
can’t be, babies don not get stressed out.
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ruvanw / February 26, 2015
Entirely my sentiments!
Well put Nishthar Idroos!
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Amarasiri / February 26, 2015
Nishthar Idroos
“It’s somewhat comical if not disgraceful to see intelligent, mature and knowledgeable people with grand academic credentials behave in the most puerile manner when lot is expected, especially at a time when the nation is impatiently seeking results in the aftermath of a major socio-economic trial that impacted most Sri Lankans in an adverse manner.”
It is shameful as well.
Yes, wipe your tears, and move on.
The People with Common sense, did their job. These “Academics” could not even come up a single Common Sense Phamplet.
One Academic Called Prof.Kumar had to be lectured by Anura Kumara Dissanayaka before the election, because he was getting lost in the forest for the tress.
Threre are two types of people.
1. People with Common sense who voted for the Common Candidate to remobe Mahinda rajapaksa, and
2. People without Common sense, who are generally known as Mootals, Modayas and Fools.
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Paddy / February 26, 2015
It is time these individuals realised that good governance is not about themselves but about the country. This is the Thondaman syndrome .. running from person to person to see who can give them the bigger loot bag. Sickening.
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Eds / February 27, 2015
Do now when you cannot back up your accusations and allegations, you resort to ” Immaculate Precision ” ?
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Justice & Fairplay / February 27, 2015
Absolutely spot on, Nishtha Idroos, you could not have said it better, except that Singapore is nowhere blessed with “idyllic and salubrious climes”.
Both the cry babies took a powerful lot of bullying under the MR regime nary a whimper, but now – particularly Wijesinha – is throwing tantrums loud enough to put an entire montessori class to shame.
“Grow up” is the best advice we could offer to the likes of Wijesinha. It has been nothing more than a storm in a teacup, unworthy of public attention.
Given the circumstances, Kabir Hashim has conducted himself with great dignity and maturity.
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madmani / February 27, 2015
Faizer is behaving like his pants are on fire. Goes firing people willy-nilly. He is behaving like a dictator. He should be taken to the tribunal by the sacked employees.
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roshan / February 27, 2015
this guy was treated right by MR ,( AT LEAST ONE THING HE DID)!
MEGALOMANIAC
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T.A.KUMAR / February 27, 2015
Professor was the same when he was sub Warden ( deputy principal )At St Thomas’ COLLAGE Mt LAVINIA always WANTING TO BE THE HEAD AND NOT A DEPUTY
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sinhalese buddhist / February 27, 2015
A good strong dose of humility is in order for most of these politicians and other such big wigs in SL. Politicians and big wigs are supposed to SERVE the nation not the other way round.
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Nien W / February 27, 2015
As AKD remarked, they have been appointed ‘ministers’ for just one school term, and even for that short period how self important and frankly nauseous both these sad specimen have become. Rajiva’s tiresome prose has no limits and as for the almost too late jumper Mustapher who insisted on shoving his face into the camera at the swearing in at Independence square, I say Good Riddance and not a moment too soon.
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Longfellow / February 28, 2015
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.
Focus on purpose, with patience and persistence, and success is assured. Resignation will not provide the answer.
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Don Quixote / March 2, 2015
Beautifully said ! Here is someone who should be the head of the Daily News IF :
(a) He wants the job.
(b) The Government is interested in having REAL journalism re- introduced to this Country.
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