Dear editor,
Following some controversies last month, we were told to refrain from addressing issues that may run the risk of being misunderstood and seen as an intrusion into UNICEF’s internal administration. Yet we are experiencing somewhat similar controversies involving performance of a UNICEF country office, and that too in an offensive language. If anyone feels an irresistible urge to interject in UNICEF affairs in the way of comments and suggestions, perhaps this is not the best platform. Whatever the platform one eventually uses, I should think it is always possible to do so within the confines of decency and realism; after all we are but what the name suggests, - retirees.
In a sub-group setting this was discussed time and again and one question keeps on reverberating - what is the role of retirees as a group with respect to UNICEF’s administrative decision and programme intervention?
Does the group enjoy some level of latitude to intervene into UNICEF activities either at field or hq levels? Interesting discussions ensued. Some felt strongly that UNICEF staff never retires and, therefore, retains the responsibility of interjection!!
Another school of thought was that once retired, the staff members should act as former staff devoid of any role whatsoever. In support of the latter a former colleague forwarded a write up (called *the fused bulb concept*) on how high level government officials in India are coping with post-retirement life which I am appending below with a view to starting a conversation.
We do need to decide as to how we want to use this platform and conduct ourselves or else chaos will soon be upon us.
This is a modest attempt to start the process of defining a decent, useful, non-abrasive and pleasant role for retirees. A healthy and constructive conversation is expected. No offense meant!!
Best regards. Sharif Alam, NY
One day, it somehow transpired that an elderly person sitting beside him started a conversation, and they continued to meet. Every conversation was mostly a monologue with the retired executive harping on his pet topic, “Nobody can imagine the big post and high position I held before retirement; I came here due to compulsions”; and so on, and the other elderly person used to listen to him quietly.
After many days, when the retired executive was inquisitive about others, the elderly listener opened his mouth and said, “After retirement, we are all like fused bulbs. It does not matter what a bulb’s wattage was, how much light or glitter it gave, after it gets fused.”
He continued, “I have been living in this society for the last 5 years and have not told anyone that I was a Member of the Parliament for two terms. On your right, over there is Vermaji, who retired as General Manager in Indian Railways. Over there is Singh Saheb, who was a Major General in the Army. That person sitting on the bench in spotless white dress is Mehraji, who was the chief of ISRO before retirement. He hasn’t revealed it to anyone, not even to me, but I know."
“All fused bulbs are now the same – whatever its wattage was – 0, 10, 40, 60, 100 watts – it doesn’t matter now. Neither does it matter what type of bulb it was before it got fused – LED, CFL, Halogen, Incandescent, fluorescent, or decorative. And that, my friend, applies to you too. The day you understand this, you will find peace and tranquility even in this housing society.”
"The rising sun as well as the setting sun are both beautiful and adorable. But, in reality, the rising sun gets more importance and adoration, and is even worshiped , whereas the setting sun is not given the same reverence. It is better to understand this sooner than later”.
Our current designation, title and power are not permanent. Keeping lot of emotions with these things only complicate our life when we lose this one day.
Remember that when the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.
We do need to decide as to how we want to use this platform and conduct ourselves or else chaos will soon be upon us.
This is a modest attempt to start the process of defining a decent, useful, non-abrasive and pleasant role for retirees. A healthy and constructive conversation is expected. No offense meant!!
Best regards. Sharif Alam, NY
*The Fused Bulb Concept*
A senior executive retired and shifted from his palatial official quarters to the housing society, where he owned a flat. He considered himself big and never talked to anyone. Even while walking in the society park every evening, he ignored others, looking at them with contempt.One day, it somehow transpired that an elderly person sitting beside him started a conversation, and they continued to meet. Every conversation was mostly a monologue with the retired executive harping on his pet topic, “Nobody can imagine the big post and high position I held before retirement; I came here due to compulsions”; and so on, and the other elderly person used to listen to him quietly.
After many days, when the retired executive was inquisitive about others, the elderly listener opened his mouth and said, “After retirement, we are all like fused bulbs. It does not matter what a bulb’s wattage was, how much light or glitter it gave, after it gets fused.”
He continued, “I have been living in this society for the last 5 years and have not told anyone that I was a Member of the Parliament for two terms. On your right, over there is Vermaji, who retired as General Manager in Indian Railways. Over there is Singh Saheb, who was a Major General in the Army. That person sitting on the bench in spotless white dress is Mehraji, who was the chief of ISRO before retirement. He hasn’t revealed it to anyone, not even to me, but I know."
“All fused bulbs are now the same – whatever its wattage was – 0, 10, 40, 60, 100 watts – it doesn’t matter now. Neither does it matter what type of bulb it was before it got fused – LED, CFL, Halogen, Incandescent, fluorescent, or decorative. And that, my friend, applies to you too. The day you understand this, you will find peace and tranquility even in this housing society.”
"The rising sun as well as the setting sun are both beautiful and adorable. But, in reality, the rising sun gets more importance and adoration, and is even worshiped , whereas the setting sun is not given the same reverence. It is better to understand this sooner than later”.
Our current designation, title and power are not permanent. Keeping lot of emotions with these things only complicate our life when we lose this one day.
Remember that when the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.
Loved it Sharif Alam! In the words of Tagore, let our crown be the crown of humility and our freedom the freedom of the soul! Let us know that what is big is not great and that pride is not everlasting!
ReplyDeleteYour email response made the day for me!
Salam!
Gautam
Hello Sharif Alam
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your thought provoking write up - the last quote from "The Fused Bulb" lesson is very important in our life and has deep meaning which is: .
"The rising sun as well as the setting sun are both beautiful and adorable. But, in reality, the rising sun gets more importance and adoration, and is even worshipped , whereas the setting sun is not given the same reverence. It is better to understand this sooner than later”.
Best regards. Momtaz.
Yes, Sharif, it is time to cover ourselves with our mantle of venerable pensioner. Of course, from time to time, it is possible that we itch to act, to take control. But, 1) we have been absent for a long time from our countries, 2) when we interfere, we take the risk of upsetting our colleagues (active in the country), who, very often, have taken time to build their relationship with the national authorities, 3) quite simply we are no longer the controls.
ReplyDeleteSome time ago, we have been asked to contact the country offices to see to what extent we can put our skills to their service. Let's stick to it, even though, as in some countries, these relationships take time to develop. I believe that we have to stay on standby until either the government maybe or the office calls on us. And, in my opinion, if the government calls on us, we should notify the office so we will act in transparency and in a spirit of collaboration and complementarity.
Sharif, I read you with pleasure. And I completely agree with Gautam. I had already reacted the first time. Everyone should give their opinion.
My respects to your family.
Paul.
Dear Sharif,
ReplyDeleteThe "Fused Bulb" could be interpreted has having two dimensions. One I can most certainly identify with, the other not so much so. If we are indeed all (x-unicef) a real "community" than indeed each member has a voice worthy of a hearing and worthy of respect no matter the "intensity" of the bulb's past.
But in my American idiom, the term "fused" in terms of light bulbs, is replaced with "burnt out"... and I can't quite get my head around the concept that all of us having retired from UNICEF are indeed "burnt out". Are not bulbs whether "fused" or "burnt out", usually discarded in rather short order? So for me, the "fused bulb" term has some limitations.
The two perspectives you present well, of the role retirees should adopt with UNICEF, is of course a real one and it may not be possible to reach at a full consensus on this. I personally prefer to view of our x-unicef group as "a community" and as such a part of the global movement that is UNICEF -- much as the national committees, the host of NGO's with consultative status, and even that very dispersed and diverse group of individuals who contribute to UNICEF regularly. I feel we have the right to watch how the front-line, action arm of the movement works and performs and a right to convey constructive views and suggestions -- BUT it is incumbant on us to do so in thoughtful, caring and diplomatic ways. Over 25 years ago I had an interaction with one the senior people in one of the ost active (and most contributing) national committes. He had been on a personal family holiday in a North African country, staying at a nice 3-star hotel. Merely for a splurg on a lunch he stopped by THE luxurioous five-star hotel of the city and was astounded to find it fill with a large regional UNICEF staff meeting. He was highly frustrated thinking about the many small primary school and local ladies circle fundraising activities for his national committee. He wondered if he should give some feedback. I encouraged him to do so. Certainly we do not want to launch into any wideranging and continuing monitoring of UNICEF operations in the field. But might we as part of the larger UNICEF movement (or community) have a right and perhaps a responsiblity to study and and follow and learn and if we come across room for positive change, speak up?
I am conflicted as to whether to send this to only a few or to the wider X-UNICEF lits. I have opted for the latter (with apologies to those who do not welcome it) as it is a dimention beyond our discussion of malnutirtion in India.
Warm regards to all....and keep safe. Steve
Dear Mr. Umemoto
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful contribution to the discussion i intended to be initiated. That, indeed was the single purpose - to solicit and encourage a constructive conversation among the retirees to arrive at an understanding of the role of retirees as a platform vis-a-vis unicef and the standard of decorum such a role (if any) should maintain. This does not propose by any chance formation of a sub group or separate forum or fora that individuals wish to form for the purpose. I am but the “fly on the back of the bull” in this instance, and my purpose has been served.
You may have noticed that there are a number of responses already, some of them directly to me rather than in the open forum. These responses sometimes take very different views, and I am sure the value of dialectics will be reached one way or the other!
I wish to take this opportunity to request those members who sent their responses to me directly, to please consider posting their views in the below website which the editors have kindly created. Many many thanks - very inspiring!
https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2020/12/do-retirees-have-role-in-unicef-and.html
or send to
xunicef.news.views@gmail.com
On the matter of the “fused bulbs” , I owe you (and perhaps a few others - may have sounded “jarring”) an apology if I may have cast any doubt the fire in their bellies still raging as it used to when they were in active service. I understood the “fused bulbs” concept, not as a vanished or even diminished faculties or abilities of any member, but the nature and extent of influence one can or ought to legitimately demand as retirees. Actually, I took the joke in context (of the particular attitude of one individual yet to be deprogrammed, featuring in it).
I am sure, while some of us wish to spend the precious remaining years of our lives resting on the laurels of our past glory, some would wish to let go and embrace life after unicef as life beyond it. Apologies again if I sound too philosophical!!
The ball has started rolling and I consider myself to have served enough!
Best regards.
sharif alam, ny
Thank you. Enough said. We do well to remember the parable of the fused bulb.
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Ebun Ekunwe
Sharif - good stuff. I would hold that
ReplyDeletea) The USA have demonstrated that a 1 Watt bulb can make it to the top leadership levels,
b) even 100 Watts can create a rather dim light,
c) everyone can shine as long as we remain connected to the network.