It is often a thankless task to speak truth to power. The recent episode involving Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (kiran@biocon.com), the respected chief of Biocon, is a stark reminder of this reality. When she publicly questioned the deplorable condition of Bengaluru's roads—a sentiment echoed by nearly every citizen who navigates the city—she was performing a civic duty. The response, as reported, was unfortunately predictable: 'Why are roads so bad': Senior Karnataka ministers go after Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as she flags Bengaluru civic woes.
Instead of a constructive dialogue, what followed was a defensive, almost hostile, reaction from senior Karnataka ministers. This is a classic pattern where the messenger, rather than the message, becomes the target. The focus tragically shifts from fixing a critical infrastructure problem to attempting to silence a valid voice of concern.
This incident transcends the issue of mere potholes. It probes the very health of our public discourse. Should prominent citizens, who contribute immensely to the nation's economy and social fabric, refrain from speaking on civic issues out of fear of reprisal? Such a climate is detrimental to a functioning democracy. People like Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw are not adversaries; they are vital stakeholders with a profound interest in the city's well-being. Their feedback is a resource to be valued, not an attack to be countered.
For years, I have written about the necessity of accountability and systemic improvements in various domains, including urban infrastructure and transport. My own writings, which you can find by searching keywords like 'Transport' on my blog, have consistently highlighted that progress is born from open dialogue and a leadership willing to engage with criticism. The unfolding situation with Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw only reinforces this long-held view. The problem isn't a lack of awareness about the bad roads; it's a deficit in receptive and responsive governance.
The citizens of Bengaluru, the taxpayers who fuel the city's dynamic economic engine, deserve far better. They deserve safe roads and officials who listen. The backlash against Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a disservice not just to her, but to every resident who shares her daily frustration.
My humble suggestion to the concerned ministers is this: listen. Engage with your critics. View them as partners in the shared mission of building a world-class city. The road to progress is paved with collaboration, not condemnation.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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