SPECIAL ISSUE

September 17, 1994: Where are those concerned Indians?

Dear Readers,
Last Friday evening, I received a call from a concerned Indian refreshing my memory of a past incident, to rectify the present lapse.
Following is the gist of the exchange between the concerned Indian (CI) and myself (India Tribune-IT):
CI: Mr. Shah, do you remember there was a tragic railway accident in Bihar many rears ago when Mr. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Railway Minister?
IT: Yes, I remember it perfectly well. What about it?
CI: then you must be surely remember that Mr. Shastri immediately tender his resignation, taking full responsibility on moral ground as a railway minister.
IT: Yes, but so what? Why are you calling us to remind us about a page from parliamentary history?
CI: let me get to the point. I attended the national NFIA convention in Chicago throughout the Labor Day weekend. I was silent observer. What I felt for this convention, you rightly and adequately highlighted in your editorial and the news report.
IT: Well, thank you.
CI: Mr. Shah, don’t you think that like Mr. Shastri, the NFIA executive committee should resign en masse to own up to the responsibility for the total failure of the Chicago convention? It is an open secret that they wasted tons of money and in return the community gained nothing but utter humiliation.
IT: Well, I agree with you on this point. But who are we to tell them to get out? Our job is to present facts. It is your job to initiate action I mean, you the concerned Indians.
CI: It’s not that easy! These leaders are thick-skinned and will not quit. They don’t believe there was any failure. And to maintain their leadership, “Yeh sab garz hoti hai, tab gaddhe ko bhi baap kahne wale hai.” (Pardon my plain speaking).
IT: Why don’t you step forward? Instead of standing on the sideline, why don’t you involve yourself in the NFIA activities?
CI: Frankly, I am a simple guy. I can’t play dirty games like they play. I am disgusted at their arm-twisting and dirty language to score over rivals. This NFIA election for the new term was all set-up. They just spend all their energies for arm-twisting rather then on focusing the issues.
IT: It is the name of the game. It is a universal scourge. And if you the concerned Indians — don’t have the guts to play their tune, then you don’t have the right to criticize them. At least, they tried to do some good.
CI: In a way you are right. I just wanted to get my frustration off the chest. I know nothing I can do will erase this disgrace. I thank you for patiently listening to me.
The convention was simple but thought provoking. I was calmly sitting in my chair; remember my early days in this county. There were some good leaders at that time who selflessly devoted their time for the betterment of the community. They never worried about their name, publicity nor were they fond of any podium. They had charisma. Their sole aim was just to help the community grow and prosper.
Yes, those were the days when I could see togetherness instead of factionalism. The unity was there. The national spirit was there. What happened to us all of a sudden? I look up. Gandhiji was smiling from the photo frame.
I left my office questioning myself: Where are those concerned Indians?

Sincerely,

Prashant Shah
Editor & Publisher