Silver lining, dark cloud

Our sports establishment often blame the BCCI for hyping cricket at the cost of other games. In fact, it has become a national pastime to whip the BCCI. Given India’s current global standing in most sporting events and the lamentable state of the institutes that are responsible for the mess, it is understandable why the BCCI’s professional management of India’s cricketing affairs and the performance of the national team stick out like a sore thumb. It is also popularly believed that the BCCI enjoys unparalleled government support while other sports bodies are neglected. To set the record straight, let me state that the BCCI has not received a single penny from the Government so far. Not only this, following the Finance Ministry’s decision, cricketing activities no longer enjoy any tax exemption in India. India today cannot hold a Cricket World Cup or even a mini-World Cup, because there is no tax exemption. All other cricketing nations are given full tax exemptions by their governments.

Grooming them young

The Prime Minister’s idea of catching our top bureaucrats young is an excellent one. It’s time to review the obsolete system that allows only limited orientation of future officers, who already have set attitudes, values and perspectives. Not only should we ensure a full five-year grooming of our officers but, once inducted into the services, they should also undergo compulsory reorientation every three years. And an individual assessment of performance and growth should be undertaken at least every ten years.

This is especially true for the foreign service cadre, who need a radical change of perspective. The old order diplomacy has little relevance today. Global polarities have changed drastically, economic issues rule international ties like never before. Consequently, the neck-stiff-and-nose-in-the-air approach is totally counter-productive. Take our expats for example. We want to tap their vast resource pool, but our missions abroad are remarkably rigid in their handling of People of Indian Origin (PIOs) and the NRIs. Such arrogance must make way for friendly interface. Our officers abroad must find purposes to justify their brief, beyond holding cocktail parties, trying to pull strings in South Block and sending their children to piano classes.

Reforms from within

At a time when there is a heightened debate over the meaning and definition of secularism, it comes as welcome news that noted filmwriter Javed Akhtar’s efforts to make Muslims more progressive and liberal are getting good response. His organisation, Muslims For Secular Democracy, has overcome a shaky start and is on its way to building deep inroads into the Muslim community.

It is heartening to see that Akhtar is taking up the cudgels against the fundamentalist forces within the community, trying to convince Muslims that without a progressive and liberal mindset, things cannot change. He is directing his efforts towards convincing them on controversial issues like triple talaq, uniform civil code and Haj subsidy. Having faced initial resentment, primarily because of the influence of fundamentalist forces, he is gradually getting good response from the community. This was evident during Akhtar’s recent visit to Aligarh University, where he was widely supported by both students and teachers. Akhtar’s efforts to help Indian Muslims break their oppressive shell and enter the nation’s mainstream are truly laudable. I hope Muslim intellectuals and reformists will join hands with him for this noble cause.

The writer is a Congress Member of Parliament