Why a VIP-loving India is cheering for Croatian president who flies economy class to watch FIFA World Cup 2018
Croatia’s president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has managed to make headlines in the Indian media with her aam aadmi-like celebratory gestures during her nation’s win over Russia in the World Cup 2018 in Sochi.
Not only did she fly economy class to Sochi from Zagreb on a flight organised for Croatian soccer fans, but many on Twitter are also gushing over the fact that she initially watched the game from the stands together with fans, and later joined the VIP section.
Just got this Whatsapp post. Incredible, if true! “She flew economy class to Russia&watched the match with fans till recognized&offered a seat in the VIP area.She was unhappy though, as she wasn’t allowed to wear a team T-shirt in VIP area.Her identity?President of Croatia!” pic.twitter.com/w6GVOmh2XA
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 8, 2018
While the first female president of that country has become a darling of the world, Indians particularly cheered her on because we don't often get to see such examples. Instead, the moment the word "VIP" makes an appearance, we get to hear a collective moan against it.
But there is a terrible irony in this collective condemning of VIP entitlement.
Firstly, we love our privileges so much that we have accorded this a "privileged position" in our rich repertoire of culture and traditions — "VIP culture".
But beyond the rhetoric condemning of it, nobody, including the victims of oppression, actually wants VIP culture to be abolished. Because we only condemn what we don't have. It's more like, privileges are bad only as long as I have been denied that. The moment I have it, I'll justify denying it to others.
Last year in May, the Modi government announced it would pull the plug on "VIP culture" and decided to do away with beacon lights for all vehicles, including those of the President and the Prime Minister. The PM declared that "every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP".
Every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP. https://t.co/epXuRdaSmY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2017
One year down the lane, pompous politics is very much on display, albeit sans the red light.
The government which went all out against VIP culture now feels entitled to conduct ostentatious rallies and campaigns often at the cost of public funds — inconveniencing the public, choking roads, clogging the mind space.
As recently as July 7, the BJP government in Rajasthan reportedly spent Rs 7.23 crore on transportation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Jaipur. A “huge amount of money” was also spent on other facilities such as food and accommodation meant for about 2.5 lakh beneficiaries of several central and state government schemes. Nearly 5,700 buses were pressed into service to ferry beneficiaries of schemes (read rally attendees) to Jaipur. As a result, vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear on all major routes connecting different parts of the city.
On July 4, a drill for landing helicopters at the SMS Stadium in Jaipur started after the Rajasthan high court gave its nod to a state government request to allow the construction of special helipads.
The Bharatpur district administration selected five beneficiaries to speak to the PM, and trained them on how to answer his questions positively. According to this Hindustan Times report, one of them, Manju Devi, later refused to take part. “I was told to give answers to PM Modi in positive and not ask any question.” Other beneficiaries confirmed that district officials tutored them on how to reply "positively" about government schemes and how they have been benefitted. Ahead of the rally, the administration also detained some members of the Berojgar Sangh (association of unemployed youth) to prevent them from staging protests during the rally. People wearing black or carrying any black cloth on them were kept out of the rally to rule out any protest at the venue, especially after a PM's rally in Jhunjhunu in March saw a group of people waving black cloths and shouting slogans.
All this was part of the elaborate "security arrangements" for the PM's mega rally.
Now, if that's not 'VIP culture' in its full glory, what is?
Vikas is the new VIP
As the PM thundered "Vikas, Vikas, Vikas" at the rally every time he sharpened his attack against a "bail gadi" previous Congress government, the crowd chanted "Modi, Modi, Modi".
But how do we envisage this vikas (development)?
While everybody loves vikas, nobody knows how it looks or feels. In a way, PM Modi personifies vikas — the rise of the "aam aadmi" — his oft-repeated reference to his humble beginnings and calling himself a poor man. The PM often claims that not only he is a poor man, but is also targeted for being poor — "chai wala" — by the Congress, a party which thinks of the country's government as an inheritance.
While there are no legal restrictions on making or breaking promises about development, there is a problem with the way the very concept of development is seen in our society.
We believe in a certain packaging of "vikas". Just like any seller-consumer relationship, here too, the packaging of brands is important to influence the purchasing decision of consumers (voters). And that's how "Brand Modi" exudes and enjoys more confidence among voters. We find stories of development more believable when the merchant selling it is a once-upon-a-time "aam aadmi", but now a powerful head of a country, dressed in crisp kurtas and monogrammed suits, flying into rallies on sea planes, addressing people via video conferencing.
Who wants austerity
Contrary to the sentiments against much-mauled VIP culture, the common man too believes in keeping the tradition of entitlement intact.
There is a strange stigma attached to poverty. Starker still is the disdain for the poor. And that's why nobody wants to look up to a financially poor man as their leader. A reason why grassroots leaders are often brushed off as "jhola chhaps".
The "jhola chhaps" may be considered good to tell you about your rights and educate you on policy matters — but at the end of the day, they will remain activists, and not the public representative who you vote for.
Of course, we can't pin the entire blame on the common man for this dismissal of "jhola chhaps", because they have often been victims of some hugely popular movements led by "grassroots" leaders — some even coming from affluent background — only to abandon their cause midway. Instead, the leaders turned exactly into power heads which they so grudgingly talked about.
Why blame the netas alone
It's not just our political leaders who are responsible for perpetuating this VIP culture. There is a powerful array of VIP citizens. From bureaucrats to celebrities and businessmen, there is no dearth of important people who believe it's their birthright to acquire their convenience, which often results in great inconvenience to others less privileged than them.
So, who is responsible for this flourishing VIP culture?
We, the people. How many of us — the common man — are ready to follow the rules if we can find a way around them? How many of us care not to litter the road or jump a red light when no one is watching?
Truth be told, we all want to be served first, even if we are the last ones to arrive. There is a sense of strange achievement in breaking the line, a sadistic pleasure, in bullying people less fortunate than us to wait for their turn in every sphere of life.
Till the time we are not ready to abandon our own privileges, and the constant privilege of wanting more, we will continue to accord such special treatment to the bigger VIPs — and justify it too.
With occasional applause for "aam" leaders like the Croat president.