CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS
July 19, 2017
Celebrity ambassadors
Celebrities in
various walks of life get nominated to Parliament. Sportspersons who do well in
their profession get recruited to various positions in government, statutory
bodies, PSUs and sometimes corporates. Beyond recognizing individual
contribution to public life or sports, there is no evidence to show that such
assignments bring any benefits to the Parliament in which they get represented
or organizations which recruit these individuals on their rolls.
At some stage
media or the HRMD of organizations come out with analyses of the attendance or
contribution by these ‘nominees’. Clearly, there is a gap between the
expectations from these MPs and employees who, from the viewpoint of their
colleagues get ‘out of turn’ entry to positions which are occupied by persons
who come through ‘normal channels’ of election/recruitment. The philosophy of recognizing
eminence or promoting sports in national interest do not help to counter the arithmetic
about ‘contribution and attendance’.
Being more
transparent about selection and assignment of roles relevant to the positions
assigned may minimize criticism from various quarters. It is common knowledge that
celebrities/sportspersons will not be able to be in the house/office continuously,
as their priorities are linked to their professions. But, to serve the purpose
of their being part of Parliament/organizations, at the time of ‘induction’
they should be given orientation making them ‘ambassadors’ of the causes for
which the nation/employers stand. Such induction programs should be followed up
with periodical refresher seminars which should be addressed by experts in
various fields and trainers of repute.
M
G Warrier, Mumbai
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