“What Matters Is The First Five Minutes” – Nehru
By S.Sivathasan -September 28, 2013
S.Sivathasan
In the very early years after India’s Independence, an important issue needed resolution. Nehru was of a strong opinion while the higher echelons of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) had a different view. The latter delegated KPS Menon a much respected member and a confidant of Nehru to present their views. As the discussion proceeded, it became clear that Nehru was in no mood to change his mind. He told Menon, KPS you have done horse riding, in that what matters is the first five minutes. Either you decide or the horse decides for you. Diplomatically, convincingly and yet obliquely Nehru conveyed that in the initial phase of decision making he has to be swift, decisive, unwavering, and firm.
The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) is in place with the Chief Minister formally elected and is poised to assume office. It is at this moment that a myriad views will begin to float around. In the last two months, he has shown his capacity for independent thought and action. His ability to chart an unconventional course is becoming clear. Detractors have seen their negative wishes pulverized by the discerning voter. In a Province where elected institutions have ceased to be functional for far too long and where military rule was getting increasingly riveted, the need has become all the more insistent to initiate a fresh process of governance. In such a circumstance, it seems likely that not a minute will be allowed to be lost. Taking the cue from Nehru, the CM Elect will give no pace for the horse to gallop about. Who calls the shots will come to be known all too soon. The decisiveness of the mandate is making for vaulting expectations in the country and outside, which can leave no rest for the Chief Minister and his lieutenants.
What has welled up for long will now seek to burst its banks. The water has to be shored up and purposefully canalized. How? Through sound policy and spirited execution. By whom? The former by those elected, having a sense of power through the mandate and a feel of people’s pulse. The latter by the permanent bureaucracy with legitimate authority flowing from the central and provincial apparatus and with a sense for the practicable. Policy thus is never formulated in the void but is jointly forged, for which effort study and analysis are basic. The bureaucracy has to gain its competence not by age but through intellectual equipment and experience.
