One man organization is the order of the day and why this is so? It may be that some individuals must work alone like a writer. But even a writer must work with an editor and the editor would have to account to a managing director who in turn has a board of directors to account to.
One man show is the itinerant haggler or the sole trade who functions at his whim and fancy with no one to account to. Growing up in a village I have seen most sole traders biting the dust. Usually there is no structure, and as the competition strengthens, the sole trader is at his wits end to survive, far more flourish. It is a tragedy, a kind of paradise lost.
A business must be governed by rules or a constitution which acts as a check and balance. If rules are not there, then individuals would be left to do as he or she pleases. With no rules there cannot be justice. In this case the bold and the daring will always prosper at the expense of the meek.
Basdeo Panday has once said that every man carries a price tag on his head. Bhadase Maharaj always lamented that all that were discussed in his political party were told to Dr. Eric Williams not out of the goodness of their heart or love of the nation but for pittance.
In Guyana several opposition voices were at the mercy of the PNC. Not only Forbes Burnham had loafers to feed; it continued under Hoyte and spilled over to Granger. It is like an insatiable greed-your belly full but your eyes not full.
How can so many individuals say that they are working for the betterment of the community but choose to work alone. Is that right? I would like a psychologist to explain this behavior. I have worked with numerous organizations: Endeavour Hindu Youth Organization, Hindu Jawaan Sangh, and the Hindu Seva Sangh. In all these organizations there were a body of rules and an administrative body. There would always be discussions before decisions are taken. For every project done there was a report with a detailed breakdown of incomes and expenses.
I was heartened to hear the treasurer of a mandir giving a detailed account of income and expenditure at the closing night of a Nine-Night Ramayana Yagya. A few argued that such a report should be done for the executive of the mandir only. The reality is that funds were solicited from the public and it was the duty of the mandir to make known to the public the situation of the finances of the mandir.
In Hindu philosophy wealth is accumulated but not at the expense of truth. Our scriptures encourage us to work hard, save, invest, and enjoy the good things in life. Unfortunately, a culture of get rich as quickly as possible has become the new mantra. Our finances- individual, family, community and national- must be treated with a high level of respect. After all, money is Lakshmi and without Lakshmi, Vishnu would not have the cash to meet payments for goods and service.
It is because of this poor accountability many have chosen to stay away from organizations. Generally, they are aware that pilferage is going on but choose to mind their own business because they feel too ashamed to bring those acts to the attention of the offenders.
Several organizations are afraid of bringing outsiders to know their secrets. What may be called dynasty is truly a way not to account to anyone. More so, there must be a high level of sycophancy from those who want to survive in such environment. The best example is the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
These cunning opportunists know how to spend money legally- purchase a car or upgrade computers, all within legitimate and legal limits.
The world is littered with opportunists using petty excuses to pilfer money. In one case a fire catches but burnt only that section of the shelf where the money was kept. It is like the rats that ate the cocaine that was kept for evidence.
If accountability is not above board, good people with intentions to serve would opt to spend more time in the bars or with their families. What is even worse is that those who indulge in such scam usually declare their commitment to service at the top of their voices.
Sooner that later, these individuals are going to crash because such behavior is against the principles of good governance. All successful businesses always have a full grasp of finances; even Gandhiji accounted for every single paisa received and spent. If Gandhiji was followed by millions of Indians, it was not because he was a barrister from a privileged social background but because of his personal integrity.
Earlier today I was reminded by a dear friend that Sai Baba said that the product of all learning and knowledge is character. If today, we are finding our society in shambles it is only because the masses have lost faith in the integrity of our leaders.
By Dool Hanomansingh
