Gross national happiness
OPTIMISTS hold the view that gross national happiness has to be accorded priority, now that an overwhelming people's mandate has been achieved. For happiness of the countless multitudes that enthusiastically exercised their choice at the hustings, the time has come to ask ourselves if we had too much government and too little administration; indeed too many public servants and too little public service and too many laws and too little justice?
In fact, it is time to ascertain why we have failed to bring the huge economic potential of the country to fruition and could not provide the moral leadership. Interestingly enough, the private initiative of our citizenry had gone a long way towards counteracting the deficiencies of the government. Such a scenario indicates that out innate potential is far greater than our actual achievements.
It may be pertinent to know if our ministers and public leaders have looked with austere disfavour upon any attempt to depict the reality; and if their eloquence flourished most when public affairs were in the worst condition. Did we discard the old norms of discipline and decorum, dignity and decency after we became a republic? Must we not rise to great heights when at present we are apparently basking in the glow of well-intentioned leaders?
Disenchantment with our current socio-economic conditions should not mean that there is no hope for the future. Collapse will not overtake our country marked by economic under-performance if our political institutions acquire durability through experience and tradition. This will be possible if our democracy is supported by meritocracy wherein ignorance, incompetence and dishonesty shall be definite disqualifications for high public office, both in ministerial ranks and elsewhere.
Happiness cannot be ensured if the ulcer of unaccounted money in our economy is not cured. We have parasites who invest nothing, produce nothing and pay no taxes but are allowed to gather rewards while upright entrepreneurs are compelled to work at a loss. This scenario has to be reversed.
Our economic malaise would be less unbearable if our basic freedoms are not eroded and the strength of our political institutions are not sapped and our public life not degraded. We must not subordinate the individual in a way that the nation is made up of one-dimensional human beings for such human beings cannot accomplish anything of substance.
It is time to defend our judges against pressures and threats and insist upon integrity and impartiality in judicial appointments. It is also time to not appoint individuals whose overriding qualifications is loyalty to the party.
In our democratic dispensation the quality of our life will be largely determined by the availability of the basic human rights and civil liberties which are placed in the chapter of Fundamental Rights in our constitution. Without these fundamental rights the quality of our lives would be greatly impaired. One has to remember that while efforts to raise standard of living is important, the standard of life is more significant.
Our new leaders must strive hard to add vigour to our society by wandering beyond the safe provision of personal gratifications. They have to ensure growth by depending upon energetic activity. People must be made to realize that there will be no development without work and work shall not be a curse to be kept at bay by holidays and hartals.
For happiness in Bangladesh we need much more of the spirit of moderation. This spirit of moderation shall not press a partisan advantage to a bitter end and should understand and respect the other side. It should be able to feel a unity between all citizens.
The spirit of moderation is very important because fanaticism or intemperate behaviour consists in re-doubling our efforts when we forget our aim. We have to remember that our democratic existence would depend on habits of consent and compromise that are attributes only of mature political societies. We must take cognizance of the reality that the lawful government by the majority, under the rule of abiding law and with freedom of opposition and dissent, is an extremely difficult achievement.
Let us not be oblivious of the bitter reality that the absence of the spirit of moderation in Bangladesh had caused societal degeneration into divisions. It is time to make amends and change for happiness.
Muhammad Nurul Huda is a columnist for The Daily Star.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments