The outrage of the IFS: Justified, or not

Since the release of the Akshay Kumar Bollywood blockbuster Airlift, that has reportedly grossed over Rs 200 crore at the box office, the Indian Foreign Service fraternity has been fuming with rage. The film has presented the role of the ministry of external affairs and Indian diplomats in the gigantic evacuation of Indian nationals from Kuwait after the invasion of Saddam Hussein in a distorted manner, they claim.

Their outrage is legitimate. Their indignation is understandable. And their reaction is also predictable. Anyone who has followed the events that unfolded after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait would vouch the evacuation of over 111,000 Indians, which involved more than 488 flights by Air India, couldn’t have been possible without the stellar role played by the MEA and its diplomatic missions in the region. Not surprisingly, to project the hero of the film as an Indian Rambo a la Hollywood Rambo Sylvester Stallone, the film has not only taken generous artistic licence but reduced the MEA and its diplomats to perfunctory extras!

But why should it have surprised the IFS fraternity Every cine-goer in India knows, in a Bollywood film, the hero is next only to God; he can do literally anything in their make-believe world! After all, it’s not an authoritative documentary based on actual facts and prevailing ground realities corroborated by a first-hand account of the evacuees. It’s a Bollywood masala film with a heavy quote of patriotism. The producer and actors are smiling from ear to ear; the film has turned out to be a huge hit. Our angry Rajnayiks have given vent to their anger on the IFS blog; some have written well-documented articles for national dailies narrating the role of the MEA and Indian diplomats with the right perspective and giving credit where it is due, i.e. to themselves.

The portrayal in the film raises some serious questions. Why is the role of the MEA and IFS under-appreciated in the media Since the Kuwait evacuation, more than 17,000 Indians were evacuated from Libya in trying conditions. We didn’t evacuate only Indians but also people of half a dozen other nationalities from Yemen, which won us much deserved international laurels.

The corrective efforts of Indian diplomats can’t undo the damage done to their image by the film. There are around 700 active users of the IFS blog. By a generous count, all the articles written by the former ambassadors after the release of this film might have been read by 100,000 persons. But the film has been viewed by over a 100 million Indians!

Isn’t it high time for our diplomats to do serious introspection and ask blunt questions How come, barring one solitary piece by a non-IFS individual, none from other civil services, media, literati and think tanks community has rushed to defend the IFS Don’t they empathise with the IFS or share their dismay and disappointment Obviously not. And society at large has been enjoying and applauding the film though it is weak on actual facts.

Does it have anything to do with the way the IFS is perceived by the Indian society Is it related to the conduct of Indian diplomats Does it reflect the loss of shine and sheen associated with the IFS Why has it lost appeal to bright aspirants of civil services While serving diplomats bound by the Civil Service Conduct Rules can’t air their views on various issues of larger public interest, who prevents senior diplomats, who have hung up their gloves, from reacting to issues of larger social interest As conscientious citizens, shouldn’t they empathise with issues that agitate people’s minds Whether it is the issue of corruption or mis-governance or rising crime or rapes and intimidation or suffocating, pollution-filled air in Delhi, declining standards of education, health care and hygiene, rising prices etc., former excellencies seldom raise their voice. They live in their ivory towers, coiled in nostalgia, emitting increasing cynicism and claiming that the present crop of civil servants and diplomats lack the high standards of their era and are, most of the time, clueless about the problems confronting the nation. They don’t bother about the society they live in. Then, why should the society bother if they are portrayed unfairly

While greater use of communication technology has reduced the time required for processing of visa applications and the intention behind outsourcing processing work can’t be faulted, one comes across scores of foreigners who will narrate their harrowing experiences at our missions and posts abroad. Technology has been upgraded but not mindsets.

While ambassadors and consul-generals strive hard to create a more positive image, many junior-level functionaries haven’t changed their ways. There should be zero tolerance of red tape, delays and unwarranted harassment; applicants should feel at home and reassured at Indian embassies and consulates that they are there to facilitate and help.

Every year, over 450,000 young men and women appear in the preliminary exams for civil services. After written exams and interviews, eventually around 1.500 candidates are selected for various services. This is, arguably, the toughest competitive exam. Surprisingly, barely 1 per cent of the total applicants give first preference for the IFS. It seems they don’t think it’s the right vehicle to fulfil their dreams, aspirations and ambitions in today’s world. To claim it happens because they aren’t aware of the IFS is a glib explanation. There is an obvious disconnect between IFS and aspirational youth. Unless a serious attempt is made to comprehend what excites young minds as career options today, IFS can’t become more appealing. But when most Indian ambassadors haven’t succeeded in persuading their own children to join the IFS, how can they convince others

The writer is a former ambassador