In my college days, I read a book 'Wyatt's Hurricane' by Desmond Bagley - a popular book by a popular author (at least in Madras) and in those early 70s there was no TV and reading fiction was a common pastime. I liked the book very much and though it's close to 40 years since I read the book I remember the broad theme even now. Thinking about the current situation, I suddenly recalled that book.
The principal character (a meteorologist) of the book warns the ruler (dictator) of the island that there is a very real possibility of a hurricane hitting the island but the dictator simply dismisses the suggestion. The hurricane does strike with disastrous effect.
I would like to read the book again to see how much more in the book matches the situation prevailing in this country.
Even for a clerical job in the government or in a bank, one has to write a competitive exam (English, Arithmetic & Reasoning, GK and Current Affairs). No one can dispute the fact that a MLA or MP holds a position of far greater responsibility than a bank clerk or a government office assistant. Will MLA/ MP aspirants agree to take an exam (not competitive) just to assess they have minimum capability - that they have basic knowledge about the country, its resources, industry, agriculture, education system, constitution etc so that only those who qualify are allowed to contest elections? They keep telling the people that education does not stop with school/ college and they should therefore not mind acting on their own advice. Probably, if we had some criteria, we would have more responsible governments - central and states.
