The article, “ >When the second rate sets the standards ” (Dec.22), was an insightful description of how we as Indians have become tolerant of less-than-acceptable standards in our public life and public spaces. It made me think of the times in my life when I have seethed with anger at the way government officials treated with disdain — and they still do that — the time and dignity of citizens who approach them for things such as ration cards and voter identity cards. Public amenities — whether in the realm of transport or facilities — also show this lack of respect for the aesthetic sensibility of individuals. The writer feels that this situation can be changed by encouraging “an active life of public participation”, but my own feeling is that the behaviour of individuals is largely moulded by the norms and standards of society. That is why Indians who live abroad imbibe values that make them acutely aware of what public life in India lacks. However, when they return to India, the acute discomfort that they experience initially is soon replaced by a numb acceptance of the prevailing situation because they soon imbibe, once again, the values of their homeland. I wish to suggest that only when we create a culture of accountability in public life will there be genuine change in what the writer calls the “Indian psyche”.
Velayudhan Menon,
Batu Pahat, Malaysia
