Heights of Job Security

Heights of Job Security   

“What kind of article is this” asked the Editor-In Charge.

The journalist, Mr. Kumar was stumped.

“We need to report this sir, this has already made big news”

“Exactly. Take any morning newspaper and you’ll find the same news. I want you to report it. But differently”

Ok, if that’s what he wants, “Ill have it ready by this evening sir” replied Mr. Kumar

First he called the DRM, Southern Railways Kanyakumari junction where a major accident had taken place.

“What steps have you taken to ensure that these kind of accidents do not happen again?. Would you take responsibility for the incident and resign your job?”

“I will respond to these things at a later stage. We do not have an instant coffee machine that you can get results immediately. It takes time to regain your position. We have put down the process in place and the results will take some time” was the reply.

Then he called the Chief Manager, HRD, Kottayam Lignite Corporation.

“Sir, the media has reported that it was due to your casual approach and lack of proactive policies for your employers that there was a whole month of strike and hence disruption of power supply for many industries in your area. They are demanding your immediate resignation”

“I don’t respond to media reports” was the only answer.

Then he called the Chief of Athletic Federation Of India, New Delhi.

“Sir, in spite of the poor show by the Indian athletes for so many years, this year, we have touched new lows. Many former Olympians are of the opinion that you have to resign. What is your response?”

 “There is a coterie of five or six former Olympians who are just professional mourners. They just know how to do breast beating, howling and crying whenever they get the chance. That is their choice, I cannot do anything” he replied.

Then he called the collector, Varkala District.

“Sir, it is complained that the flood hit costal areas in your district has not got any proper rehabilitation in spite of the allocation of considerable amount of money from the centre and flood relief funds, before one year. The people want you to take responsibility and resign. What is your reaction?”

“The project was started a year ago and the progress is being reviewed. We have had many discussions over it in the last several months” came the reply.

Then he called the former army chief of neighboring country.

“Sir, in the wake of recent election defeat, would you step down from power?”

“I will go on till 2010. After that we will see” he said.

Then he called the head of Tiger Conservation Park in Uttar Pradesh.

“Sir, the number of Tigers in the last twenty years has decreased drastically, especially after the formation of your department. The media and the people want you to resign as a lot of public money is wasted”

“I will not give in for the propaganda that is being created” came the reply.

Finally, he called the Chief Vigilance Commissioner.

“Sir, what is the purpose of your department when corruption in the nation is so wide spread and is actually increasing every day? The people want you to resign immediately as your organization is not serving any purpose”

“It is very easy to resign and sit at home, but even that will not serve any purpose” came a honest reply.

Satisfied, he started re-writing his article – “Why the *&#$ should Mr.K P S Gill resign for the failure of Indian men’s hockey team to even qualify for the Olympics, when none of the Government Servants from various departments across the nation (and some neighboring ones) are unwilling to admit responsibility for bigger debacles and resign their respective secure, pension and other benefits giving Government jobs? According to the response received from ………….”

  Destination Infinity 

PS: The responses which are highlighted by bold and italics in this article are the actual responses given by K P S Gill (in different contexts than the above) when asked if he would resign, by the media.

Two more gems:

• Mr. Gill seemed hardly perturbed by FIH’s threat to consider moving the 2010 world cup (hockey) out of India if his federation did not get its act to-geather. “We are prepared if the world cup is not held in India. We have not had the world cup here for ages”, he said.
• Ashok Kumar, former hockey player, said Gill had no right to ridicule the players who play for the country by dint of their merit. “We are selected and not elected. A player is selected based on merit only while any stupid person can win elections” !