Critical appraisal of others in general and that of government and party in power in particular is an excellent pastime. These pursuits can only be a source of enjoyment and catharsis at individual level, but have no wider or general implications.

However, when portrayed in mass media and coming from the government policy makers or a leader of some caliber or an analyst of high stature, it is liable to have wide ranging implications. These may be positive or negative.

Many intellectuals or half-baked intellectuals are more than willing to offer comments on any subject or issue. Most of the times, many of them may not have even the slightest of knowledge or comprehension of the subject under discussion. Nonetheless, the ‘experts’ project and portray, as if they know all and their word is final. Anyone who objects and disagrees ought to be disregarded.

By and large, there are two sections of these "intellectuals" -- either they are on this side of the table or across the table i.e. for or against the government. The former are all praise for the party in power and blindfolded towards the follies and blunders committed by the government. Ostensibly, the latter has a similar attitude. The mistakes of the opponents are projected and exploited with utmost ferocity. However, the opponent’s achievements and good deeds are totally ignored and thrown into oblivion. The mistakes, even if glaringly obvious, of their own party, are to be camouflaged. They work on a maxim that there is nothing good and all good lies on their side.

This leads, in general, to an imbalanced analysis of the national issue and problems. The positive outcome, expected from the behaviour of protagonists and antagonists, is not realised. The results are disastrous. The consensus building on national and international issues, where it is of utmost necessity, falls far short of national aspirations and demands. We have seen this on many mega projects, international relations, foreign policies, economic development, social structure, corruption elimination and good governance. This is not the complete list; many more issues have suffered because of this negative attitude of the people who matter in these and other national issues.

Many leaders are following a policy that is contrary to our national and international interests. What is most disgusting is they do not comprehend the harm they are doing to the country. Sometimes, this harm is of monstrous proportion. Still they continue with it and try to justify it.

Cronies have a personal axe to grind. However, the politicians and media connoisseurs driven by their egotistic approach are of the view that the bitter they are the more they are listened to. If you create an ugly scenario you will sell more and the higher will be your price. In fact all are saleable. The personal projection, monetary gains and glamour are the driving force.

Is there a remedy? This is a big, difficult and pertinent question. The answer to the question must be an emphatic yes. If we do not have a solution -- mind you, every problem has a solution -- we are doomed. I am sure this nation will come out triumphant in not very far off future. The realisation of our objective lies in ruthless enforcement of law and speedy deliverance of justice. Law-enforcing agencies and judiciary will have to mend their ways in the first place. This will be the beginning of a corruption free and law-abiding society.

It is a very commonly stated argument that the leadership and the heads of national organisations come off the available breeding stock. Poverty and illiteracy of the stock is the root cause of the dearth of morality in the leadership. Nonetheless, when one comes to think of it, there are clear venues where this argument is refuted. Behaviour of the drivers on the motorway and off the motorway is totally different. The ones on the motorway strictly abide by the rules and regulations. The same driver, when off the motorway, breaks the law with impunity and total disregard of the law.

Why is it so? The same people from the same poverty and illiteracy-stricken breed behave differently!  The answer to this question is very obvious. In the former, the law is enforced strictly speedily and without discrimination. In the latter zone, the law is either not applied at all or if applied, it is with discrimination. That is where the difference lies. That is where the fault line is.

This is seminal of criminality, corruption and lawlessness. That is why civil servants give two hoots for these. If one extrapolates this situation to the whole country, the corrective measure is the enforcement of rules and regulations, equally for all. The sooner it gets around, the better it would be. This will lead to an emergence of a law-abiding and corruption free society. The leadership that emerges from this class will come up to the national aspiration.