Courtesy as cornerstone of good governance
Extract
from the article:
The recent critiques aimed at The Hindu BusinessLine
highlight a perennial challenge in political and organizational nomination
processes — the opacity that often shrouds key decision-making stages.
Transparency, or the lack thereof, in the selection of employees or nominees is
not merely an operational detail but a cornerstone for public trust and
effective governance. This article draws attention to the common refrain in
many institutions: the tendency toward excessive secrecy and poor
communication, which fuels speculation, reduces accountability, and undermines
confidence in the legitimacy of those who assume office or roles.
Moreover, the article implicitly suggests that the dynamics
behind political nominations and appointments are rarely visible to the public
or even insiders, which causes a disconnect between the organization’s stated
principles and its operational realities. Such a lack of openness contributes
to perceptions of favoritism, undermining meritocratic principles that ideally
should govern nominations. The piece nudges organizations and political
entities alike to reconsider how courtesy and transparent communication can
serve as neglected pillars of good governance, reinforcing ethical standards
and fostering greater public engagement in institutional processes.
My
Take:
A. Re:
Feedback on L&T Book
In reflecting on the issues of transparency discussed in the recent article,
I’m reminded of my earlier insights on how large corporations manage their
public perception and internal communication. Years ago, I highlighted how
sharing frank experiences within organizations about handling difficult
interactions with government agencies could have been invaluable both
internally and externally. The same principle applies to nomination dynamics
today — an openness about decision-making processes not only demystifies the
outcomes but enriches understanding and trust. Back then, I was also critical
of how leadership contributions were often understated or omitted from public
narratives. This omission parallels how nomination procedures, when hidden from
scrutiny, can erase recognition for truly deserving candidates while allowing
less meritorious appointments to slip through unnoticed. I see this as a
clarion call for improved transparency within all spheres, including political
nominations, to bring deserving individuals into rightful prominence.
B. Smt
Sitharamanji, You Are Totally Right
This blog post reminisces on numerous government initiatives aimed at enhancing
transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement, from environment clearances
to digital portals for government job applications. The conversation around
political nomination processes in today’s article intersects significantly with
these initiatives. They collectively underline the transformative power of
transparent and accessible communication channels. Just as launching mobile
apps and new schemes can revolutionize how citizens interact with government
services, applying similar principles of openness and procedural clarity to
nomination dynamics can revolutionize governance itself. It’s inspiring to
reflect that my past advocacy for systemic transparency neatly aligns with
today’s broader demand for accountability in every layer of administration and
politics.
C. Re:
Transparency Biggest Reform
Transparency is often the most fundamental reform that can catalyze change, yet
it remains one of the hardest to implement consistently. As discussed in this
prior blog, transparency in various sectors — from highway projects to defense
bidding — has been crucial in building trust and ensuring fair outcomes.
Political nominations, being no less critical, benefit immensely from this
ethos. If the nomination processes were subjected to similar standards of
openness as those suggested for public tenders or environment clearances, we
would likely see a profound reduction in accusations of favoritism and secrecy.
This underscores my long-held belief that transparency cannot be selective; its
application must be widespread and systemic to truly enhance governance and
public confidence.
Call to
Action:
To the leadership teams within The Hindu BusinessLine and
other similar institutions, as well as policymakers and political entities
responsible for nominations — I urge you to embrace radical transparency in
your nomination and selection processes. Establish clear, publicly accessible
criteria and communication channels explaining how candidates are evaluated and
chosen. Cultivate a culture of courtesy and openness, not only as ethical
imperatives but as strategic assets to build credibility and public trust.
Doing so will not only strengthen governance but restore faith that
appointments are based on merit and fairness, not opaque maneuvering.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
No comments:
Post a Comment