Some people say MGP stands for Mysore 'gallatta' parishat. Its sound and fury signify frenetic activity without much action.That MGP activists protest often, too much, and rush to the media at the slightest provocation to drip like a municipal tap. Such pronouncement on MGP is harsh, unfair and it may well be contrary to facts.That it is the prevailing perception in some quarters is a reality that cannot be wish away. What is worse, a negative perception washes away MGP's praiseworthy performance over a period of time. Public image is all about today's perception.
Those at the helm, I am sure, would say I'm not saying something they don't know about.
I am equally sure they are working on 'ways and means' (to use a cliche) to raise MGP's public profile, to build a brand image of a result-oriented community initiative , rather than that of a rabble-rousers' gymkhana.
My purpose in raising the issue is to initiate an on-going, online interaction in which all-comers are welcome to float their ideas about their expectations from MGP, to give suggestions on how it could better its performance, and find flaws with those of others. .
I had occasion to attend an MGP in-house meeting the other day at the invitation of Bhamy Shenoy. The parishat functions from the basement of his Yadavgiri residence. Attending a single meeting doesn't license me to offer expert comments on the inner functioning of MGP. But it prompted me to put down my tuppence worth of observations.Isn't that what blogging is all about ? I wish MGP activists run personal blogs, so that we could learn of their travails of doing a thankless job.
Observations: 1) MGP is helmed by public-spirited individuals with decades of experience in managing men and matters.It has a membership of 900 plus, which is no small number, if only everyone takes an active interest in the MGP affairs.It would be interesting to have their individual skills and expertise codified in a directory so that MGP could draw on their experiences whenever needed.
2) The meeting attracted 20-odd members, of whom three or four were first-timers. Like other parishats, MGP appears to have its quota of windbags. with a penchant to butt in on the proceedings with carping comments. I am not for curbing their speech; I'm for channelising their energy to confront windbags in our civic body. Impatience of some seasoned members with a new-comer trying to reinvent the wheel is understandable. The know-all stance - I've-been-there-have-done-that - adopted by some is a sure way to have the suggestions of others nipped in the bud.
3) Upshot of it all is that a handful of members who act as the voice of MGP elsewhere and are visible everywhere tend to dominate the in-house meetings as well, recycling their stated positions that all others might have read about in the previous day's 'Star of Mysore'.
MGP would stand to gain a lot more from in-house meetings, if only some people learn to listen and let the silent majority to speak up.
4) Trouble is some us get tongue-tied at such meetings.One way such persons could be drawn out is by providing them with a more conducive forum.Which is where, I believe, weblog could work. I wonder why MGP doesn't have a website, where the silent majority, with unquiet minds, could make their points without interruption , discuss topics set on the MGP agenda, float fresh ideas. MGP executive could send out newsletters and circulars to members, notify the coming events, maintain a directory of members, and network with other NGOs in Mysore and elsewhere.
5) A factor in MGP's erosion of public credibility is its tendency to rush to the media. Apart from its president, MGP ought to designate a parishat spokesman who alone is authorised to issue press statements, which,in any case, out to be cut down. MGP has been far too easily accessible to the press and it would do well for MGP to speak to the press through its website.
6) If I were to draw up a strategy, I would suggest MGP maintains a 'tactical media silence' for a couple of weeks, if only to let the public and the media get a feel if its absence. The interim period should be used for re-grouping, introspection, for a SWOT analysis, and to strategise networking of it members.
7) MGP office say they know of no more than 20 of its members with e-mail IDs. Surely, there must be many more with e-mail accounts.Shouldn't MGP start with updating its records on the members profile ? Maybe those with access to internet could on their own e-mail their contact details to Bhamy Shenoy (see 'Directory' for his e-mail ID).
I am not for or against MGP and its activities. But somehow I get a feeling they act as if they rule Mysore City.......Being in Mysore for the last 8-9 years, I have learnt one thing the hard way.. there is no collective opinion in decision making or formulating plans, everybody wants to have the cake and eat it too.
Being a committee member of MGP I wish to give an insider's view in my individual capacity..
First of all I like to thank GVK for initiating a debate by pointing out pluses and minuses of MGP so that it will eventually lead to adopting a better strategy to correct its drawbacks and becoming more effective instrument in the service of the society.
It must always be kep[t in mind that mGP was started with the sole objective of rendering service to the citizens of Myssore by a band of people who have no axe to grind. The basic objective was meant to create an awareness amongst the citizens their rights and responsibilities and empower them so that it creates a people's movement to ensure a better Mysore and MGP was merely in the vanguard of the movement as somebody has to take the lead. It ventilated personal problems in so far as they coincided with issues that aplied to the society as a whole whether it is civic issues, consumer problems etc. It was not meant to project primacy of any individual and everybody was entititled to highlight any civic or consumer problem withing the overall objective of the principles enshrined in the formation of MGP. In a way it also meant that issues would be taken up immediately and no time is wasted in consultation. Of course it gave an impression that some members were projecting themselves and conscious of this an attempt has been made to remedy it in recent times. MGP is painfully aware that its success is not upto the expetations . The failure is not for trying but the faullt lies elsewhere. Waht MGP has not achieved is the prople's movement. The crucial question is what w ay MGP's approach and strategy ahs contributed to this failure and in what way the citizens themselves have failed to stand by MGP'S lead. Despite 900 members , people who are pasionately committed are few. We have had our share of ' wind bags' as mentioned and arm chair advisers phoning us. Reatedly, MGP has tried to to woo the youngsters to join in numbsrs but unfortuantely they have not responded. But it has not prevented MGP to goabout its job and many PILs have been filed and lawyers have come forward to help. Most of the members are otherwise profesinally engaged and they ahve unreservedly devoted their time and energy in the service. for public cause. Not to react to frequent gros flouting of rules and regualtions with impunity by the service providers would have placed MGP in an untenable position. What has happened is is that these serious voilations happening at frequent intervals forced MGP to raise its voice against it. Unfortuantely, the authorities ahve remained unresponsive. This has given an impresion that MGP looks like a rabble rouser. If the citizens had lent their support , the authorities could have been held accountable. Now if an honest appraisal is made , it certainly reveals succes in certain crucial areas though listing them would be beyond the scoope in the limeted space available.Though it has not succeeded in seeing the guilty to be made accoutable, it has acted as a break on their wayward ways. What strategy has to be adopted would depend upon how the citizens respond to this debate coming with some positive suggestions and MGP will welcome such suggestions
For every movement we are bound to have the pluses and minuses, as an individual we need to look for pros and cons and then get about doing anything. Like the sayings goes " Nobody is Perfect" and "To err is Human", here its not what MGP or the district administration is planning to do or want do. My point of view is as a society or as a Not to profif organisation or as an individual we need to address the issues keeping the public views and opinions. The need of the hour as my personal view is to create awareness and educate the general public about the do's and don'ts.
There is no point is crying over the spilt milk, the government thinks they need a loan to set right the infrastructure, so be it, we being in the city we need to assist the government in doing so. Now there is a hue and cry over the loan and the works being substandards, but my view on this issue would be the loan was sanctioned and there were able implementing agencies doing the implementation of the project. MGP did the very best to assure good works are done (Contoor Road case).
As your view says, to create awareness amongst the citizens their rights and responsibilities and empower them so that it creates a people's movement to ensure a better Mysore.
With the objectives as above, the mantra has to be create awareness among the general public. I would say rather than the media coverage on issues, we need to educate the public & by doing so we can create awareness. The Mantra has to be educating the public.
MGP has to take the lead in educating the public about the consumer issues or civic problems. MGP should go hand in hand with the district authorities. District authorities too are humans and they are just doing their duties.
Before filing any PIL, we need to ask a few questions ourselves like why, what, where and when. And probably we might find an answer for that. Get to the root of the issue and start addressing the problem and then the solution can be found.
Educate the public, support the authorities in performing their duties, if found erring in they delivering their duties then report the District Administration or the agencies handling the implementation. A PIL or a Front page article wouldn't solve the problem or issue.
Food for thought: (my view)
Trees were supposed to be felled on Kalidasa Road, during the road expansion plan during the ADB loan scheme, but coz of the protests the trees were left alone. But the heavy rains did create a havoc and now most of the trees are gone. Call it coincedence or whatever, if the trees were felled during that period for road expansion, we could have saved the District Administration on various costs like replacement of electric poles, wires etc.,
Beautifying the boulevard opposite the City Courts, there was an agency appointed by the Administration to beautify the park. Again protests were made and the whole beautification stopped and now its an eye sore. Any answers?
Try to solve the problems the city is facing rather than creating new ones is my mantra!!!
I have taken this course of action: "if you can't beat the system, join the system, if you can't join the system get out of the system".
