By Aristotle Lyngdoh
The general perception is that success is about achieving wealth, respect and fame. Strayer University of Washington DC in an attempt to readdress success has put it this way, “Happiness derived from good relationships, and achieving personal goals”. As individuals whether or not we are successful depends on how we define success based on what we value the most in our life. It can be spiritual, emotional and material. But one proverb says, “the greatest happiness comes from making others happy”. According to one dictionary, success is defined as an event that accomplishes its intended purpose and to be successful refers to a situation that is achieved with favorable or pleasant outcome and prosperity.
Becoming successful is the coveted ambition and aspiration of every normal human being but to accomplish that purpose, there is a process that even illiterate chaps in the market-place too are engaged in without realizing the processes involved, They knowingly or unknowingly do so in their effort to attain ‘success’ and well being in life. The process on the other hand as a medium is varied in nature and necessitated by the condition of life and work. To achieve success a person has to list out with clarity his/her roadmap towards that goal. Again this can be achieved by systematic prioritization of various activities to align with the objectives.
It cannot also be ruled out that many attribute their success to luck as the ultimate deciding factor of their fate. But those who have climbed the ladder of success have judiciously invested their efforts in that process diligently leaving no minute detail unattended. Few of those who have paved and shaped themselves to be outstanding have somehow attempted to share the secret of that success to enable others as well to benefit from their innovative activities. This reflects that human beings are social animals with rational relationships and that they are at their best when they share.
History from around the world gives remarkable accounts of numerous individuals whose contribution to the well being of humanity in general is tremendous. But on closer look at the treasure of their personal cache, they possess no assets or inheritance as a reward for their outstanding and extraordinary capability, except a renowned legacy. One such personality was the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi who did not own a single rupee yet every Indian currency bears his image. His effort and struggle to be successful culminated into mass and nationwide achievement of liberty and well being. Similar to this non-materialistic lifestyle is that of our former president, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam whose successful career is our nation’s success. Locally and indigenously, there are many generous men and women whose sacrifices and hard work within their own family has translated into the success and the achievements of those close to them. Seen from this perspective the definition of success should also be seen from the applicability and productivity aspect.
Governance by its very name is to ensure that there is a smooth conduct of events and activities where the greatest good can be experienced by the largest number of people. In fact the purpose of this article is basically on the need to measure the string of successful achievements from a stable government. Does stability of a government itself translate into good governance? To continuously remain in office for six years is a remarkable achievement for the incumbent Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma. The only other incumbent was (late) Capt W.A. Sangma who was also in office as CM for over six years. While the MUA –II Government has already completed three years the credit for this uninterrupted political stability goes to the CM himself for his ability to keep his party men intact even though some outrageous aspirants may appear here and there. But having said that, should this achievement become a personal success or should this opportunity be translated into a channel that will endorse and guarantee the state’s prosperity and development? The road for the future and the distinctive blueprint for economic development should be the bottom-line of governance. While the state’s economy as we have seen and heard from various sources is on the downward trend, it seems there is no alternative to substitute income and revenue generation the loss of which was perpetrated by NGT’s intervention on coal mining and other allied environmental issues.
So how do we gauge a successful government or governance here? Several decades have passed with many governments in the state, yet not a single success story can be formulated or good practices can be replicated except rules and regulation that make people worried like the Tenancy Bill, confrontation with District Councils, etc. whereas corruption, nepotism, open dereliction of duty and wastage are on the rampage. It is pathetic for our small state if this situation still persists and continues for many more years.
As it appears today, to be in power and to run the government is only to meddle with the financial affairs of the state by manipulating the allocation of funds to various departments depending on personal choice. Is this the correct way to think? There is a sharp contrast between governance in our state and other industrialized states like Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala and others on the basis of generating resources both human and capital. The challenges of governance in these states are to some extent appropriated by the people despite the affluent caste and community hurdles.
When the CM, Mukul Sangma says that if a better replacement can be found he is ready to make way for that person, he is making a banal statement. Our CM should capitalize on the opportunities in Meghalaya instead of spending time looking for a potential and better replacement because as of now it appears irrelevant. This statement on the other hand is like an insult to most of his predecessors and a challenge for those who aspire to be. His assertion in this context could imply that a better replacement is a person who can keep his party colleagues intact. History itself has proved that there cannot be any collective and united government in our state except when all MLAs are from the same family having one or two close friend as adopted members.
In most of the cases, our government accountability before the electorates is substituted by pressure groups’ agitation and propaganda. A responsible government should clearly demarcate issues pertaining to development and political confrontation and to decisively pursue the former with determination. Merely relying on situations and blaming the opponents for all the mess is another technique designed and mutually promoted in order to kill time and keep those in advantageous position one step ahead. If the Chief Minister feels lucky because of the absence of a better replacement then he should translate this situation into making the state prosperous and come to terms with issues confronting development. The CM should prove his efficiency and determination to deliver effective governance since the time is already late for any replacement even if there is one.
There is a need to reinvent the concept of success as far as governance and administration is concerned. Just by completing the full term in office and disposing all expenditures within the financial year cannot be termed as success unless that action results in the generation of resources and assets beneficial for the people and the state now and in the future.