Way back in 1987, Rajiv Gandhi, as the then Prime Minister, had engaged Alyque Padamsee of the Lintas ,to promote India in the US and France.Lintas had even engaged Edelman associates in the US for this promotion .I was associated with the project for a while.
I just fail to understand why these politicians are creating such a ruckus over lobbying. Persuading the authorities and educating them on issues should be considered as legitimate considering the fact that many law makers are not aware of the right and wrong aspects of any policy or government decision. They need not be bribed, but the expenses on banquets, travelling and commissioning of research reports could all well be considered as expenditure on lobbying which by any stretch of imagination can be termed illegal.
Considering the knowledge levels of our law makers, they need to be constantly educated. They are too busy either politicking or finding ways to broaden their voter base with little or no time for acquiring knowledge. Looking at their behaviour during sessions, one would wonder if some of them know basic constitutional knowledge of what is state subject and what is union matter. One sees ministers reminding them of such subjects.Will these politicians consider as lobbying the media education/awareness exercises that corporates undertake through PR networks targeting the politicians and government?Journalists like Arnab may even loudly ask: What education?I am reminded of what late Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh had one said at the inauguration of the Press Club -Mumbai's new building: "You Press Club members must indulge in some thinking, while indulging in drinking. You must train journalists, particularly the young TV reporters, on how to ask questions." That is the kind of education that I am talking about.The Defence Ministry used to conduct war correspondents courses - and I had undergone one of them as a journalist - to educate them on aspects of armed forces - the army, air force and navy - so that the scribes could be better equipped to understand and write.Given an opportunity, the Mani Shankar Prasads of the world would term even such courses as lobbying!Even the Government of India does lobbying through the diplomatic channels to win over the key influencers not only in various countries, but even at the UN level.My firm opinion is lobbying should not be considered as something illegitimate.Request forum members to share their thoughtsThanks and regardsBNK--
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