A random thought

Time has come to preach a new sutta to the country’s professionals requesting them to serve the people better by reducing their egoism, the affable Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has told the newly recruited dental surgeons last week.

We could not but endorse what the honourable Minister has said. There is too much of egoism, not only among professionals but also among other sections of society. Perhaps the Minister would have referred to professionals because he was speaking to the dentists.

As an example of the egoism of doctors he has specifically pointed out the reluctance of doctors to serve in difficult or uncongenial work stations in the periphery. Whether such reluctance is due to egoism or lack of facilities is a moot point. Giving the benefit of the doubt to the Minister, we could also see an element of egoism in it. Egoism is more openly expressed in the intellectual or bureaucratic arrogance of some professionals, especially when they show off their importance or status before clients who seek their services.

Professionals whether they are doctors or not should be humble and serve the people, who actually are their masters as they foot the bill for their upkeep. Sri Lanka has free education up to the University level. As such almost all professionals have benefited from it. Even in the case of private education, there is an element of public funds utilized. Therefore they owe a service to the people.

Speaking of egoism the affable Minister could not have forgotten the politicians. Perhaps, he may have reserved his comments for another occasion. With due reverence to the honourable minister, we would like to point out that egoism is an amply available commodity among the fraternity of politicians, local, provincial and national. Look at the number of posters, banners, cut-outs, pandals, media packs that are used to blow up the images of politicos. Look at the number of villages, housing schemes or public utilities that bear their names even though almost all of them were built with public money to which every Punchi Singho has contributed his sweat. Look at the number of media statements they make on each and every function that happens in their “territory”, even usurping the prerogatives of the Head of State or the Prime Minister. In case they have doubts about public acceptance of their importance, they even tend to put up their images with great leaders as if they could rise to the stature of the latter by such means.

Therefore, while eagerly expecting the new sutta we earnestly wish that it would not be confined to the professionals but that it should encompass the wide and wild world of politics too.

Egoism is a mode of self-deception. It is time that all should realize that egoism takes one nowhere except to one’s degeneration. Those in public office, whether professionals or politicians, are scrutinized by the public. Public scans are more powerful than the most powerful x-rays.

Public apathy and infanticide

Time and again we hear of infants being abandoned or even left to die by mothers. It is so revolting that something should be done about it. It is not enough to express revulsion and condemn the incidents. It is more important to find out what makes these young and not so young mothers to abandon or murder their own progeny.

Public reaction to such infanticide is instant revulsion only. Unless it happens to some one in one’s own family or extended family the episode is forgotten.

The stigma associated with children born out of wedlock is the major cause of such infanticide. Meaningful steps should be taken to erase this stigma from society. It is the height of hypocrisy to look down upon the victims while allowing the offenders to go scot-free and even receive accolades from society.

Besides, such mothers, often victims of rape or fraud committed by errant individuals deserve the sympathy of society. They should be assured of a meaningful way of bringing up the offspring.