Of True Heroes And Others

New Delhi, September18 (IANS): Over 70 per cent Indians in urban areas find the Armed Forces the most trustworthy profession, while a majority of them are skeptical about politicians. Scientists and teachers bag the second and the third positions in terms of trustworthiness, according to a new survey by market research firm Ipsos.

At least 59 per cent of urban Indians rate politicians as the most untrustworthy profession, followed by Government ministers (52 per cent) and advertising executives (41 per cent) said the survey titled “Global Trust in Professions”.

 

 

 

IT WOULD have been a surprise if the finding were to be something other than this. That politicians are not the ones to be trusted, is a universal experience spanning national borders across the globe. Common people who have little to do with politics often refuse to trust politicians as a profession, thanks to the impression of treachery that is generally associated with politics.

 

It is only natural, in sharp contrast, that the common people -- in the case of this particular study the urban people -- place their best faith in the Armed Forces. For, again in sharp contrast with politics, the Armed Forces are known for their honesty of thought and action and communicate an impression of dare-devil discipline and unwavering commitment to the cause that may even take the form of highest sacrifice -- of life.

 

That scientists and teachers occupy the second and third slots on the scale of trustworthiness, again, is explicable easily. In modern times when science -- with technology in tow -- has brought so much comfort and sense of higher achievement to the people, scientists do enjoy a high point on the scale in popular mind. However, the fact that the teachers are in the third slot, somehow, gives an uncomfortable feeling. For, in the past, they enjoyed the highest rating from all angles of public consideration.

 

Returning to politicians as a profession, it must be acknowledged that the popular mistrust for this group has been ancient, to say the least. People have often regarded politics as an activity where given word is not generally trusted, or in other words, it is generally given not to be kept. And funnily, even the politicians generally agree with this public perception. They believe commonly that in politics, it is a standard practice not to believe anybody and to keep plotting upheavals and coups. A popular saying is, in effect, that in politics, there are no permanent friends and permanent foes. So, today’s friend becomes tomorrow’s foe, and yesterday’s foe can become a trusted partner today.

This transience of faith, thus, is a regular feature of politics as a profession in which no principle is carved in stone. And that was, perhaps, the reason why Mahatma Gandhi included “Politics without principles” as one of the seven sins he often referred to.

 

Despite this general experience and impression, there is something only politicians have been able to achieve the world over, let alone in India. At all times in all regions and all seasons of the world, some or the other politician is often enjoying the best of popular trust. In every country, there is a band of political leaders enjoying the highest public esteem and in a position to affect or influence public opinion in the most positive manner.

This is one contrast that defies common comprehension. If the people have a general distrust about politicians, they also have an implicit and explicit faith in one or two political leaders beyond all obstructions of different considerations. How does this happen, nobody really knows. But it is universally acknowledged that it is political leaders that enjoy the best rapport with the common people.

This may not be the case with any other profession, including the Armed Forces, including the scientists, including the teachers.

 

Perhaps, exposure to masses is one of the reasons why politics often throws up leaders with terrific mass appeal. In other professions, such exposure is not available nor is it allowed. Though there are scientists who become popular, there are very few like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who become genuine public heroes. But frankly speaking, persons like Dr. Abdul Kalam chacha did not become popular only because they were scientists. They did pursue science as a cause of lifetime, but they also chased other dreams that helped them establish better connect with the people in general. Prof. Albert Einstein was also in the same league.

 

For teachers, such an arrangement of destiny is almost never available. Persons like Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan do become very popular in the league of public heroes. Yet, their popularity level is never as high as that of political leaders. Exceptions apart, the study we are referring to states general principles. The finding is right that politicians are generally treated as untrustworthy because of the shenanigans they indulge in habitually and also as a calling of their profession in which principled behaviour is very rare to be found, very rare to be believed as well. And there lies the truth -- politics is not a profession in which saints are to be found.

 

Many politicians rise in public esteem, but then there are bigger numbers of people who treat them as scoundrels. That is how the saying came into effect: Politics is the last resort of scoundrels. Common people love quoting this saying in social conversation as well as essays of this nature.

Nevertheless, the profession of politics does have many great souls who present altogether different and brilliant picture, thanks to their qualities, their commitment to public cause, their transparent lives.

And the public identifies such souls immediately!