The Opinion Poll

The Opinion Poll

There was a welcome news in the papers recently that the authorities concerned had decided to repair the portion of the A B road passing through Indore city. I was happy. This would be an ideal subject for my study- an opinion poll I was thinking of carrying out as a part of my assignment to cover a rosy picture of the concern of the ruling party on the sufferings of the Indoreans. I thought that a favorable report on the subject would improve my prospects of coming into the good books of the people that mattered.
In my opinion poll, as per existing practice, a cross section of the society involved should be covered, I knew. The samples to be examined should belong to the different strata of the society, I had been told. Hence I had no difficulty in planning the operations for carrying out the survey.
To start with, I thought it prudent to interview the economically weaker sections of the society, who are the main vote banks for any party. Raju, the mechanic, semed an ideal choice. He belonged to the OBC and he represented the working class.
Raju was attending to a car when I met him in the ‘Popular Garage’.
“Sorry, sir, I am not in a position to attend to your car to-day”. Even before I had time to explain to him the mission of my visit, he told me. “I have these cars to be repaired and delivered within this week and with the present day conditions of the roads, emergency has also to be attended.”
“Don’t worry, I have not come here for any routine repairs”, I told him. “In fact, I have brought good news for you.”
“Any election around the corner? More old jeeps to be put into operation?”
“None of that”, I told him. “The authorities have decided to repair the highway. Adequate funds are going to be provided.”
“What nonsense? The people in power have lost their sense of proportion. Repairing the roads! Why can’t they think of providing people the minimum requirements of roti, kapda and makan?.
“That means that you are not happy to hear this news?”
“How will I? These roads give me my daily bread. If they are kept in good condition, there would be no vehicle in this garage and I would have to look for some other employment”.
“Instead of making people like me unemployed, let them do something useful to the people”, he added as an after thought.
I was certainly disappointed. I thought it would prove good to meet the road users.
I went to Ramu, the ‘raddiwala’, whom I used to see every day pedaling along the road.
“I am happy with the present conditions of the road,” he said.
“At least I am safe since all the vehicles are forced to go slow here. Otherwise, the trucks and the Maruthis would have pushed us out.’
The interview with the low income group being not very encouraging, I thought of getting the views of government employees, the representatives of middle income group.
I had met Arjundas a couple of times earlier. He was a middle level officer in the Social Welfare Department.
“What brings you here?” He asked me after the usual formalities.
“I have good news for you”, I said.
“Must be about the Pay Commission”. He was excited. “So what are they recommending?”
“No, it is not about the Pay Commission”.
“Then it must be about our departmental promotion committee which met last week”. He said without losing hope.
“I have no news of that either”, I said meekly.
“Then which is that important news that made you rush to me in this cold morning?”
“The authorities have decided to repair this killer road”. I said trying to cheer him up.
I was sadly mistaken.
“They are not in a position to increase our compensatory allowances, but they have money to spend on such futile exercises”. Das screamed. “If I were to decide, I would have given priority to staff welfare measures instead of thinking of such foolish ventures”.
I thought of interviewing Jaspal, the owner of a chain of hotels in the city. Being involved in the tourism industry, he was sure to feel happy about the news, I was certain.
“Good, wide roads are necessary to improve tourism”, he mumbled. “But, why are they in a hurry to repair this road , ignoring the other pressing problems?”
Jaspal had some reservations on the subject, I could feel from his reply. I wanted to know why.
“You must understand that major part of my earnings come from my shops dealing with auto-spares”, the hotel owner said. “As regards hotels, you know very well that there is a glut at present. Tourists or no tourists, so long as the road remains like this, I have nothing to worry.”
Though the survey conducted so far drew flak, I was certain that there would be one section who would welcome the proposals. I met Govind, the PWD contractor.
“It is really a welcome news.”, the contractor said. “Thank god, at last the authorities have woken up from their deep slumber. The work should have been done in May, before the rains At least, the public would have been spared of the sufferings.”
“Why repair in May? Why not after the rains?”
“We also have to eke out a living.” He said with a smile.
Back at home, I analysed the results. Only 20% were in favour of the repairs! 60% were against and the rest were indifferent.
To conclude, let the road continue to be in the present condition in deference to the wishes of the majority!

( Free Press , Indore, dt. October 28,1994 )