tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post3490091378661088973..comments2024-03-27T10:36:39.504+05:30Comments on tantu-jaal: The cult of sycophancySunil Mukhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155823169161030174noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-2501172281699179592015-11-04T02:42:48.396+05:302015-11-04T02:42:48.396+05:30One question: Did M.F. Hussein draw Ms. Gandhi as ...One question: Did M.F. Hussein draw Ms. Gandhi as Durga ? I have heard about that (too young to remember emergency) but have never actually seen an example. ghonadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739730402827699973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-26827890370678276432015-09-20T19:02:25.450+05:302015-09-20T19:02:25.450+05:30dynastycrooks: You are welcome to your point of vi...dynastycrooks: You are welcome to your point of view. The idea that Modi doesn't have any personality cult around him is quite new to me, I will reflect on this possibility. Also maybe you will find people who agree with you.Sunil Mukhihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155823169161030174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-83790761084906637112015-09-19T23:08:47.891+05:302015-09-19T23:08:47.891+05:30Very very curious. How is the cult of personality ...Very very curious. How is the cult of personality around Sonia Gandhi or Arvind Kejriwal LESS than that compared to the cult of Modi? <br /><br />Consider this. The scoreline from 2014 was 282 for BJP and 48 seats for Congress (including 4 seats won by Cong's B-Team). The massive defeat made absolutely no difference to Sonia ji's acceptability as Supreme Leader of Congress. No matter how badly they lose, Sonia will be unchallenged leader of Congress, Mulayam Singh will lead SP, Mayawati will be BSP supremo even with 0 seats, Karunanidhi will be supreme in DMK, Naveen will be Supreme in BJD, Pawar will be supreme in NCP, Mamata in TMC and Kejriwal will be supreme in Congress(B). Some of these parties did well in 2014 and some did horribly, but we all know that victory or defeat will not affect the stature of the leader within his/her party. <br /><br /><br />But now let us compare to Narendra Modi. If the result of 2014 had been reversed, i.e., BJP 48 and Cong 282, would Narendra Modi have held on to his position in BJP? Narendra Modi is ruling the BJP right NOW because he delivers in elections. That's just a cult of performance, not persona. A personality cult is when you have the crown no matter how you perform. Like Sonia ji remained the Supreme Leader of Congress even after bringing it to its lowest lowest ebb. This is not even remotely true for Narendra Modi. If he had lost 2014, he would be nothing more than Gujarat CM today. Then how is it a personality cult?<br /><br /><br />Are you sure you are not saying what you said because you belong to the cult of anti-Modi?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-79053699718555443502015-09-02T12:44:43.291+05:302015-09-02T12:44:43.291+05:30"Looking at all the Directors, Vice-Chancello..."Looking at all the Directors, Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of Academies, it's self-evident that the vast majority of them have reached where they are either by being sycophants or commanding a large army of flatterers, or both." <br /><br />Wow, Sunil! Have you taken out life insurance -- or are you growing fond of the idea of hara-kiri? Just kidding -- more power to you for naming a common garden implement frankly and fearlessly! I don't know how I missed this excellent piece for so many weeks after it was posted. My mistake. <br /><br />Speaking of sycophancy, I'm sure you are well aware of the obverse side of the coin: the oppression of 'juniors' that always accompanies the craven servility towards 'seniors'. S. Chandrasekhar said it is his own fashion, when he spoke of his amazement at the "incredible asymmetry in the behavior [of our compatriots] towards those perceived to be infinitesimally superior to them, vis-a-vis those perceived to be infinitesimally inferior to them" (or some such words). As is the case so often, an Americanism expresses it most succinctly: we are the ultimate "kiss-up, kick-down" society.vbalkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16190962127952161679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-14828650007672848032015-07-29T14:12:43.720+05:302015-07-29T14:12:43.720+05:30Dear Prof. Mukhi,
Your essay deals with somethin...Dear Prof. Mukhi, <br /><br />Your essay deals with something that, I assume, a lot of academics in India have felt deeply about but never expressed in any articulate manner. To add to your story, it is sadly true that "sycophancy" has now inadvertently become a part of our graduate training, even in major research institutes and universities in India. I shall take this opportunity to share your article and hope some of us can find some respite by reading it.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Himadri, <br />PDF, HRI, Allahabad.<br /><br />mxdartisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10648855161268751877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538874342968130652.post-51381808441073840822015-07-22T13:15:09.394+05:302015-07-22T13:15:09.394+05:30This line "...one must keep a strong focus on...This line "...one must keep a strong focus on the work. Admire the work if you like, not the person." sums it all up. <br /><br />Your post immediately reminded me of this article about the 'great' scientists of our nation including CNR Rao and RA Mashelkar<br />http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150207/jsp/opinion/story_1886.jsp#.Va9IcvOlxBcOrdinary Personhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06164549177326941619noreply@blogger.com