Is it necessary to have a resolution every New Year’s day? More often that not, this is an exercise in self deception. As the going gets tough one begins to backslide on one’s promise to oneself. The most common resolution one hears is “I shall quit smoking this year.” But 99 % of smokers will confess that they find it hard to give up the puff especially when under tension. It’s the same with alcoholics and drug addicts. This just goes to show the frailty of human nature. But there are some habits that are harmful not only to one’s own self but to society and the collective. Corruption is a bad practice and if we feel we have indulged in corruption it would be in order for us to do a reality check of our conscience (if it still acts as the “still small voice” as Gandhi so cogently puts it ). Corruption is a corporate sin if one goes by Christian beliefs and ethics. But what about being late at official functions? There are quite a few prominent late Latifs in our ministry and they ought to take a vow to do better this year. Every act soon becomes a habit. When such acts are demonstrated by our role models (read politicians) it becomes alright for everyone else to follow suit. The standard excuse that some people are busier than others and therefore have the right to come late does not hold water. Busy people in fact get more things done in a day than the less busy person whose problem is not being busy but not being able to manage time.
Times management is a skill learnt in management schools. Shillong has a premium Management Institute (IIM) which is conducting several short term courses for professionals from across the board, apart from the regular IIM courses. Legislators ought to enrol in these courses and learn how to manage their time before they call themselves leaders. A leader has several qualities that are hardly visible in our legislators. They are brash and brazen and uncouth and throw their weights around. The VIP lights and blazing sirens when everyone else is caught in a traffic jam is the arrogance of power. Everyone is rushing to some appointment or the other. Nobody is just occupying the road because he/she has too much time in his/her hands.
For those who organise functions and love to invite VIPs it time to learn to start the function without them. This might send a signal that no one is indispensable. Meghalaya might then turn out to be a model state at least in punctuality. This year we ask the ministers, MLAs, and all who are used to being chief guests and guests of honour at sundry functions to resolve to come two minutes before the scheduled time. This is a sign of respect for the hosts and the audience present at the function.