How can anyone write an entire book on our tendencies to jump queues? But then, V Raghunathan delves deeper into these habits and connects them to our faults as a democracy
A movie theatres for tickets, in canteens for food, outside government offices to pay bills — if you have lived in India, then you have been in a queue and have had the conscious or unconscious itch to jump it as well. Don’t worry, it’s not just you. It’s a collective flaw. This flaw falls under the scanner of Viswanathan Raghunathan, who dissects and analyses its layers like no other. These findings, coated with wit and sarcasm, find their way into his latest book The Good Indian’s Guide to Queue Jumping. Published by Harper Collins, it highlights this ugly habit and the bigger narrative behind it. “Our country has high ambitions like a seat in the UN Security Council and so on, while we do not appear as fair people or even good international citizens. The fairness principle says ‘those who come before me should be served before me,’ but our acceptance of others jumping the queue, as well as our imposition on others is an ugly aspect of our culture,” explains Raghunathan.
Where does this come from?
Maybe this habit stems from the fact that we are a short-end society, “But people atthe airport, who are typically from the higher socio-economic strata, jump the line too. Your exit is assured, your bags will be there on time but you will still hurry,” he points out. Then let’s blame it on overpopulation. “There are countries which are more populated than ours and still don’t show such disregard,” he explains.
Then what is wrong with us? “We do not care,” he says simply and adds, “We are too individualistic for our own good. In Europe, the buildings look clean and uniform. Here, three people building an apartment complex together will have different preferences. We don’t agree on anything.” We can’t help but agree with that. The above statements can put him in the bad books of many, who would call him an India-basher, but his love and pride for India doesn’t blind him to her faults. “India is a complex country and in more ways than one, we are failing as a democracy.”
But linking something trivial like jumping queues to being a failing democracy, is that justified? “Everything is interconnected. Take the example of the VIP culture with a siren atop a white Ambassador. It is what led to the Parliamentary attacks of 2001 because these cars are allowed to jump the line.”
The idea was to deliver the subject without being moralising or preachy about it. And this wisdom comes from being a careful observer of the world around you. “Because let’s face it – there may be a lot going for India, but more than that, there is a lot going wrong. So, you need to be analytical. Being a trend academic, I can simplify the good things in a framework and then the language is the function of how much you write.” And he diligently writesup to two hours every day and his research is 80 per cent online. Also, at the age of 62 it’s Return of Investment time. So now he only synthesises his past experiences. For someone who has taught finance and accounting at IIM Ahmedabad for 20 years, has been the president of ING Vyasa bank for four years, and now heads the foundation of GMR Group, his repertoire is obviously unfathomable.
Creative caps
Commenting on creative bouts and spontaneity he says, “I am not a terribly, Earthshattering thinker but am a trained one.” And it is for a literate, educated audience that these books are written for. But he is not a mass writer, he says. All these seven to eight years, his total sales is between 40,000-45,000 which he says is not a big number. “I am not Shobhaa De or Chetan Bhagat to be read by lakhs of people,” he says modestly.
Talking about reading, Raghunathan says that 60 per cent of what he readsis non-fiction — behavioral economics, popular mathematics and the like, while 40 per cent is very popular fiction from authors like John Grisham, Wilbur Smith and Jeffrey Archer along with a good dose of the classics. Recently, he took a trip to China to visit unusual places like Xian.
That is his escape route from his hectic schedule. Not to forget his most serioushobby, collecting old and antique locks, or padlocks.
Future next
Though the 62-year-old is a Tamilian, he has never been to Chennai except for “one year when I was heading a mutual fund in Chennai.” Growing up entirely in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, it’s not a surprise that his next book is based entirely in the mentioned places, subliminally about not worrying wheather you crack IIT or score big during board exams. Life will give you enough breaks. “And according to chief publishing editor of HarperCollins, it s a delightful read,” and we are excited already. But he is the one who gets thrilled when we tell him the date of publishing of this story. “Oh! It falls on my birthday then. It would be a great gift.” Well then, a very happy birthday to you sir!