Well, Jugaad is a word very common in northern part of India. There might be regional synonyms for this in southern part of India also, though I have not heard of any. In some parts of eastern India, this is called “setting” too. If you are working in Government set-up, it is more likely that you will hear this more often. If you are working in a private set-up, you would still hear this word. Let me explain what this really means.
It is basically a shortened way of getting something done by deviating (read violating) from normal course of well documented procedures. Using this particular technique, the doer of the job supposedly achieves higher efficiency in the process and thwarts any significant loss to the parties involved. It may also be described as the process of utilizing one’s close relationships with others to build yet few more relationships and thus the process goes on and the web spreads on. The process of Jugaad is best suited in situations when there is no documented process and there is no one to assume the onus of performing any task.
I often hear people saying “main apne jugaad lagaata hu (Let me use my Jugaad)”. I do agree that this technique offers higher efficiency but then there is a huge cost associated with this process. Perhaps, sometimes one violates policies, rules, procedures or even law in this process. The end user does get the benefit out of this Jugaad but the conscience of Jugaadofier (the one who offers his help by applying Jugaad) would definitely know the quantum of risk assumed and the cost of this risk.
Coming back to reality, I often wonder did I really need a Jugaad to get something done which was a matter of significance (may be urgent or important or both) to me. I have seen people using Jugaad technique even in the matters which are unconditional rights of the end user. Why would a person really need to flatter a few babus, chamchas or secys when he/ she is rightfully eligible for a particular act? It is indeed a sad story for a spectator like me. I do understand that one needs enough social networking to solve day to day problems. I do understand that sometimes there are gaps in the current process and it can be interpreted in more than one way.
But does this really give someone a chance to follow a path thereby endangering all the concerned parties? Does this really drive the efficiency in this process? Does this really make oneself at ease with his/ her own self? The next time we know someone using Jugaad, we really need to question – is it really worth it? Are we doing enough to disallow a parasite to implant its roots in a society desirous of surging ahead with unparallel levels of integrity?
It is basically a shortened way of getting something done by deviating (read violating) from normal course of well documented procedures. Using this particular technique, the doer of the job supposedly achieves higher efficiency in the process and thwarts any significant loss to the parties involved. It may also be described as the process of utilizing one’s close relationships with others to build yet few more relationships and thus the process goes on and the web spreads on. The process of Jugaad is best suited in situations when there is no documented process and there is no one to assume the onus of performing any task.
I often hear people saying “main apne jugaad lagaata hu (Let me use my Jugaad)”. I do agree that this technique offers higher efficiency but then there is a huge cost associated with this process. Perhaps, sometimes one violates policies, rules, procedures or even law in this process. The end user does get the benefit out of this Jugaad but the conscience of Jugaadofier (the one who offers his help by applying Jugaad) would definitely know the quantum of risk assumed and the cost of this risk.
Coming back to reality, I often wonder did I really need a Jugaad to get something done which was a matter of significance (may be urgent or important or both) to me. I have seen people using Jugaad technique even in the matters which are unconditional rights of the end user. Why would a person really need to flatter a few babus, chamchas or secys when he/ she is rightfully eligible for a particular act? It is indeed a sad story for a spectator like me. I do understand that one needs enough social networking to solve day to day problems. I do understand that sometimes there are gaps in the current process and it can be interpreted in more than one way.
But does this really give someone a chance to follow a path thereby endangering all the concerned parties? Does this really drive the efficiency in this process? Does this really make oneself at ease with his/ her own self? The next time we know someone using Jugaad, we really need to question – is it really worth it? Are we doing enough to disallow a parasite to implant its roots in a society desirous of surging ahead with unparallel levels of integrity?
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2 comments:
The last word of your post sums up the problem. Integrity. It is a quality we have sacrificed all too easily. In every facet of life. Delhi is a particularly acute manifestation of the problem - you are considered "smart" if you can "find a way". But this is problem endemic throughout the country.
One of the simple realisations of life is that integrity and character are more important than results and money. Nobody exemplified this better than Mahatma Gandhi. We are unworthy to call him the Father of the Nation.
@ Ramesh - Great words, Sir! how beautifully you just summarized what I wanted to convey through a colloquial term. Character and integrity are far more important than money and results anyday!
I sincerely hope that the era of Ram-rajya and the dream of Bapu comes alive once again which is an imperative for us to prosper forever.
Thanks for wonderful comments.
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