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Sunday, 8 February 2009

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Hooliganism at work places and undergrad extremism

Hooliganism and extremism are twin elements in emotion packed entertainment of comedy before a camera, when shot in the scorching sun. But, the end result is tragedy to many. Such tragi-comedy entertainment is rampant using trade union cover and university undergraduate organisation shadow over the years. All such episodes are based on the theme - "The poisoned poisons the other"-, a theme that does not express facets of any practical vision. It's a complete departure from fundamental features of humanity. It has no borders for illustration. Neither does it envisage priority or strategy. It only provides a passage for self-styled comedians to make an address from temporarily built podiums.

`Corrode confidence, erode excellence' is the monologue motto of those who indulge in hooliganism and extremism using trade unions as a shield and, student organisations as a cover to disrupt the smooth functioning of a machinery. Such hooliganism and undergrad extremism are allergy to actuality, reality, trust and confidence. They are blind to the process of debate and dialogue. There's hardly any difference between these two segments since extremism was born in this country in the early 1970s.

Ragging and violence at universities have been a nagging problem for decades. Hooliganism in the shade of trade unionism is a common feature.

Such chaos began from wounding words to end up with knives, clubs and gunfire at their disposal.

Last week, the Kandy Chief Magistrate, Sumudu Premachandra released on bail four engineering undergrads from the Peradeniya University produced on charges of ragging freshers.

In a similar trend of dehumanised attitude, extremism has crept into trade unions in an unprecedented manner with intimidation being used as a preparatory tool against any authority over them. Such a list of events are endless countrywide. Today, different `stakeholders' battle administrations at different levels.

A nation cannot progress under threat or intimidation by fellow citizens.

Neither any authority could forward resolutions to impracticable or dead actions, actions without meaning or actions without content. Nor could it allow the trashing of institutions and destruction of valuable property or manpower hours. If conceded, it tantamount to a betrayal of democratic ideals of a vibrant democracy of a nation.

After three decades of a prolonged terrorist war, the country cries out for salvation. It yearns for development and the progress of the quality of lives of the people, who have been threatened and dehumanised by terrorists. The nation needs the acquisition of knowledge to produce qualified personnel to conquer the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment.

Undergrads have a responsibility in that respect and trade unions must uphold discipline and decorum at workplaces. It is time we begin to transform these two entities into centers of knowledge and production to meet the goals of this country, having emerged from a torn past.

We have today reached a stage, that all our institutions, be it State or private, need a practical mechanism set in motion, to produce human resources much crucial and vital for reconstruction and development. If not, we would never meet the basic needs and aspirations of all people. The potential and energies at hand need to be directed towards the national task of rebuilding the nation. It is only then we could address any backlog of issues and problems at hand of undergrads and workers.

The time has come to convert hooliganism at workplaces into professionalism and, transform extremism of undergrads into academic excellence. Institutions, as entities need to get back to basics, to engage in business and production. Undergrads must pursue higher education with discipline and intelligence. The academic staff must also commit themselves to teaching rather than challenging managements. Because, struggles or confrontations between management and staff, result in negative effects, falling on the needs of the working class.

In a democracy, higher educational institutes and workplaces are bastions of dialogue and debate. A `give and take' policy of understanding is an essential element for better progress. Only a democratic participatory style or process could meaningfully contribute to resolve outstanding or burning issues of the working class. Intimidation or violence is no criteria of victory. They are tools of cowardice. Undergrads are funded by the State. They habitually want the Deliverer to deliver on demand. The vital question they must ask themselves is - What will I do to build a better society and a nation with all what I have gained free but, at the expense of the State? Similarly, workers must question themselves about their contribution to build an economically stable institution to benefit them and future generations.

The country needs an educated generation of men and women and a disciplined workforce to take it forward towards a better future. Disorder should not be allowed to destroy monuments of democracy, the system of governance and the future of man and nation. Hooliganism and extremism need to be uprooted in all its forms. The nation cries for salvation emerging from a torn past that has bled enough and more. A sense of a shared destiny with understanding is the urgent need.

Democracy provides passage for freedom to debate merits and demerits of all issues - burning or otherwise. Therefore, it is time to combat hooliganism at places of work, and eliminate undergrad extremism to usher a better future for the people of this country.

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