Politically incorrect it may be, but I think we live and work better in silos. The cost of exchange of ideas/culture/benefits (if at all) is very high. Nobody knows where to draw a line. Absolutely nobody. And there is certainly nothing intellectual about conflicts that cause loss of lives.
When I was 17, I had heard a quote which was allegedly attributed to Churchill. It was something to the effect of, “if you are not a socialist at 20, you have no heart; and if you are still a socialist at 40, you have no brain”. I don’t think I understood its meaning then. And now that I am between 20 and 40, I am torn.
So we have a Tavleen Singh with friends who have interest in industrial projects, writing about killing the Ministry of Environment. I would not be surprised if one day we do kill that Ministry. I may strongly disagree with her, but she is not wrong when she says that most advocates for environment are more for glamour than conservation itself. Copenhagen!
I know, if we cannot even manage to help women live with dignity, environment is only a secondary concern. I know, if corruption is eating up the nation and we have a monkey up against the ‘fight against corruption’, the focus is not on issues like environment. And I know that Jayanti Natarajan is by no means a standard for saying the right things, but she is not wrong. Since I do not entirely oppose industrialisation, I am not saying that the 900+ projects all need to be stalled because of environment issues. But it is not like there is no solution. It is not like we cannot minimise the damage. The government cannot just set up an investment board and override what everyone else is saying. Then why don’t we have a monarchy? Do it openly. With no room for opposition. Democratic Socialist Republic of India is a big fuckin’ mess. If we lived in silos, smaller states, liberally, with lesser power with the state, we might just be more peaceful and happier. No? There would be no scope for large scale negative impressions. No unwarranted deaths. No vast rich-poor divides. Even if power, money and fame remain attractive propositions, there is only so much one could derive out of them. Luxury is pointless bullshit we all indulge in. Pointless.
I have clients who would be most delighted if this Board comes up. At some point we might even be working with a client to advocate for such an initiative. Something ought to change.
