In Arjan Vihar, where we stay at present, as I see the practices followed by the officers and their families, I’ve often wondered as to whether we tend to be feudalistic in our outlook. The thing that baffles me is that we’re supposed to be from good families, grounded with the best of values and have been fortunate in having a liberal education but still continue to be selfish and mean in our general approach to the servant community.
A few instances that I wish to narrate would illustrate the point that I’m trying to make.
(a) The lifts can only be used by the officers and their families. The servants are
supposed to use the service staircases provided behind every block and the
reason often cited is that there’s a tendency of the servants’ children misusing
the facility.
(b) The servants and their families are not supposed to be seen around, or move around
the main thoroughfare during evening hours when the officer community is on its evening recreational activities.
(c) They are supposed to alight from the rickshaws at the entrance and walk to their
houses even if they’re lugging heavy luggage.
(d) If anyone of them is at one of the regimental shops and is in the process of buying
things for himself, once an officer or his family members enter, he is
pushed down the queue and have to wait out for his turn again.
(e) The MES guys carry out repairs in the servants’ quarters only after repeated complaints are registered or if the officer has made a personal request.
I’ve just cited a few of the instances that come to my mind offhand, and my question is as to why do we display such offensive behaviour? Is it a relic of the past when casteism was rampant in this country and the practice runs deep in our psyche? Or do we just derive a sadistic pleasure in manipulating and using people who’re not as fortunate as we are, in this life?
A few instances that I wish to narrate would illustrate the point that I’m trying to make.
(a) The lifts can only be used by the officers and their families. The servants are
supposed to use the service staircases provided behind every block and the
reason often cited is that there’s a tendency of the servants’ children misusing
the facility.
(b) The servants and their families are not supposed to be seen around, or move around
the main thoroughfare during evening hours when the officer community is on its evening recreational activities.
(c) They are supposed to alight from the rickshaws at the entrance and walk to their
houses even if they’re lugging heavy luggage.
(d) If anyone of them is at one of the regimental shops and is in the process of buying
things for himself, once an officer or his family members enter, he is
pushed down the queue and have to wait out for his turn again.
(e) The MES guys carry out repairs in the servants’ quarters only after repeated complaints are registered or if the officer has made a personal request.
I’ve just cited a few of the instances that come to my mind offhand, and my question is as to why do we display such offensive behaviour? Is it a relic of the past when casteism was rampant in this country and the practice runs deep in our psyche? Or do we just derive a sadistic pleasure in manipulating and using people who’re not as fortunate as we are, in this life?
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