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| Thursday, 11 December 2003 |
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Honesty and the ways of the manipulator by Afreeha Jawad A company big wig recently said, "there are no honourable people now". Yes, he said it all - but what swept me off my feet was that these utterances came off someone who had much to do with a polluted system and far worse was how he managed to deal with that kind of rot. However, pearls in a dustbin call for celebration. Talking of honour, there was this instance of a gentleman who decided on a partner for his son despite protests from the man's wife who apparently disfavoured the marital choice. However, the genial gent in what he described as word of honour went ahead with the ceremony. Post nuptial days justified the lady's stand in the matter. Whether one condones that gentleman's decision or not is another matter altogether. More important was his decision for he had already given his verbal assurance to the bride's party. Let's delve deep into this whole idea of honour. To honour is the Christian matrimonial vow uttered by the bride. The great stress is on the spoken word - the word of honour. Noteworthy is the distancing of friends also arising from such shortfall when for some self gain and lack of character the friendship contract digresses and you find the two parties at separate tables in the canteen - no longer partners in exit after work that once shared common bus and route. The spill-over of this malaise from the social world into politics is glaring. The saying of 'once a party loyalist, always so' is no more. One's party colours of green and blue were carried till death - if only they could have their blood in their respective political colouring - they would have done so. That was the parameter for party loyalty those days. Exasperating were the turn of events that those in JR's camp became forced signatories of loyalty in his pocket. Gasping for breath are political leaders of contemporary times - not knowing who in his entourage pines deposit in opposite camp - once again a question of honour as stern moralists would have it, which in the eyes of a democrat is free choice. Also interesting it is to note ceremonial displays when changes in hot seats occur in the aftermath of political upheaval. While increasing numerals plunge the institution's lobby to welcome the new appointee, the old one around whom many did the Polka is left to do a solo exist reminiscing "loyalists" honour words. "Sir don't worry, we are there for you". Dishonouring the spoken word is unlike earlier times, no cause for shame - you can rest assured that politicians in general will vouch for that. Spanning half a century their lies are enough testimony for the country's "blissful state". On the economic front observation worthy are the numerous businesses that have busted owing to either party not living upto his word. So often have I heard in the corporate world such woeful expressions as "Oh! God, I never ever knew he would go back on his word. He has left me without even a penny." The emphatic assurances of return on monetary borrowings is ill-fated. "Never a lender nor a borrower be, for the loan often loses it's friend and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry' - Shakespeare indeed saw through the 'deal'. Monetary contracts of any nature warrant what is called "in writing" if not one is sure to be the recipient of "Well that's not the amount. You heard it all wrong". This apart, in daily interaction I find the total absence of emotional stability for what is spoken at sunrise is sure to be twisted at sun set, finally only to be told "Oh! no, I never said anything like that. Why not clean your ears." To be emotionally unwavering needs solid character. The spoken word - certainly not meant to be played around with to suit one's agenda is one's crowning glory. The progressive disappearance of respect for this word is conspicuous as society moves from traditional, value-based, custom-oriented settings to modern, sophisticated, corporate high brow environs. Besides, in all earnestness it must be disclosed that despite such modernity, few have retained sublime and noble values, making others even though grudgingly accept what is called, "it's in the genes." Perhaps, this answers my kick off point: "Why no honourable men any more?" |
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