I binge watched all the episode of Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister along with the specials. I have only watched the 80's series and not the revival of 2013.
I have vague recollection of watching Ji Mantri Ji which was an Indian version. I thought it was on doordarshan but the Internet does not agree.
I went in it to be a satire of politics. At least, that what we generally hope for in India. The show progress from mocking the politician to outright ridiculing the civil service of Britain. Some research, helped me to realise that the then people were very disillusioned with the bureaucratic set up. The attempts of Jim Hacker at political manipulation appears mild compared to the desperate desire to hold on to power by Sir Humphrey.
It led me to think of the present situation in India. It is true that the civil service played a very big role in integrating and administering the country after independence. Especially during volatile political situations, the bureaucracy compensated for the lack of legislative will.
The situation appears to have changed now. Although, there is no great public opinion against big bureaucracy [most of the anger is directed against corruption] it is very true that the state machinery has become large and unruly. The elected members find it hard to manage the officials and the official will often perseveres.
I do not think there will be any efforts shortly to reduce the size or the role of administrative services. There may be some political will at the topmost levels, but lacking public awareness and opportunity for political and bureaucratic collusion in corruption makes any action unlikely.
I, some time back, read, I do not remember where. the attitude of the Indian people towards their political leaders, the MAI BAAP, attitude is unhealthy and dissimilar from all mature democracies. Mai baap means mother and father. This was told in the context of the annual budget. The Finance Minister stands up to dole out schemes and benefits to the people as a provider and protector. The Annual Budget is a big deal in India. A widely watched event and followed by almost everyone [including my mother, who is retired and has nothing to gain or loose from it] it often turns into a exercise of patronisation.
It is time we look to the politician as people doing a job and not as mai baap, and the civil service as the means and not the end. Attacking the inaction and failures of the bureaucracy should not be put off till it becomes a disease. If done at present, it will give added dividends in undoing the nexus between corrupt politics and corrupt civil servant.
I have vague recollection of watching Ji Mantri Ji which was an Indian version. I thought it was on doordarshan but the Internet does not agree.
I went in it to be a satire of politics. At least, that what we generally hope for in India. The show progress from mocking the politician to outright ridiculing the civil service of Britain. Some research, helped me to realise that the then people were very disillusioned with the bureaucratic set up. The attempts of Jim Hacker at political manipulation appears mild compared to the desperate desire to hold on to power by Sir Humphrey.
It led me to think of the present situation in India. It is true that the civil service played a very big role in integrating and administering the country after independence. Especially during volatile political situations, the bureaucracy compensated for the lack of legislative will.
The situation appears to have changed now. Although, there is no great public opinion against big bureaucracy [most of the anger is directed against corruption] it is very true that the state machinery has become large and unruly. The elected members find it hard to manage the officials and the official will often perseveres.
I do not think there will be any efforts shortly to reduce the size or the role of administrative services. There may be some political will at the topmost levels, but lacking public awareness and opportunity for political and bureaucratic collusion in corruption makes any action unlikely.
I, some time back, read, I do not remember where. the attitude of the Indian people towards their political leaders, the MAI BAAP, attitude is unhealthy and dissimilar from all mature democracies. Mai baap means mother and father. This was told in the context of the annual budget. The Finance Minister stands up to dole out schemes and benefits to the people as a provider and protector. The Annual Budget is a big deal in India. A widely watched event and followed by almost everyone [including my mother, who is retired and has nothing to gain or loose from it] it often turns into a exercise of patronisation.
It is time we look to the politician as people doing a job and not as mai baap, and the civil service as the means and not the end. Attacking the inaction and failures of the bureaucracy should not be put off till it becomes a disease. If done at present, it will give added dividends in undoing the nexus between corrupt politics and corrupt civil servant.
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