|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dear Sir,
I was fortunate to watch the inaugural programme of the prestigious
Unique Identity (UID) project this afternoon on live TV. The government has
chosen to start this project from Tembhali village and the first UID numbers
have been given to the laborers from the tribal area. While I was delighted at
this symbolic gesture from the Government, I was deeply saddened to see the
first few recipients falling at the feet of our Honorable Prime Minister and
the leader of UPA Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.
I am convinced that neither our PM nor Mrs. Gandhi would have
asked our fellow Indians to kneel before them and they may have done it on their
own volition. However, in functions like this which is telecast live all
over India, and may be the globe, it is not enough if our leaders do not ask
participants not to fall at their feet. The participants should be
advised, and if needed ordered, not to do this. Dr. Manmohan Singh has proven
himself to be a man of simplicity and very high integrity and I am sure he
would have been embarrassed by this act. Prime Minster is not doing a favor to
any fellow citizen by handing out the UID number. It is the responsibility
of any civil society and government to treat all its citizens with
respect. I must add that it is not at all surprising, having seen these acts
even at gathering of scientists, the so called educated elite, in India. However,
only when every Indian can feel proud about being an Indian and holding his/her
head high, irrespective of region, religion, colour, caste, creed,
income, language, etc... We would have achieved a civilized nation.
Sincerely,
Arunan.
--
E. Arunan
Professor
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Department
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore. 560012
Ph: +918022932828(O) +918023601952(H)
Fax: +918023600282 Mobile: +919449821952
Email: arunan@ipc.iisc.ernet.in
or earunan@gmail.com