In Arunachal there is more than one reason why people run after
government jobs—apart from job security and flexible routine, another
added attraction is the huge number of public holidays. Even as this
scribe writes this editorial, state government employees are looking
at straight three days of holiday starting with Good Friday.

The popular perception may be that office-goers in developing nations
are holiday-deprived, but their calendars tell a different story.
India, for one, has the highest number of public holidays per year
with closure of offices for more than 50% of days in a year. For every
past leader who played some significant role in one or another sphere,
holidays are declared. Declaring holidays has also become a political
issue.

As far as upholding the noble morals preached by these great leaders,
it can be well done in far better ways than declaring holidays,
causing wastage of time, hampering work and lot of avoidable
harassment to innocent people who suffer because of such holidays.
Progress and prosperity of a nation depends much upon the working
culture and attitude of its work force.


In this time of globalization, liberalization and open economy we can
'afford holidaying on this or that pretext. We have to realize that
for rapid progress, to bright India in real terms, it is our sacred
duty to work hard to the best of our capability. Nothing but work
pays. Similarly, there are just too many days in a year when banks do
not work. Globalising India cannot afford to have these central
financial intermediary institutions closing down on so many days.
Commerce is secular and global and continuous. Finance is the nerve
centre of commerce and cannot afford to be out of sync. India’s
religiosity cannot become a source of loss of competitiveness for
Indian business.

Some of the holidays are of national significance, so can't be done
away with, but we should consider to avoid unnecessary holidays. Like
almost every other institutional arrangement, the public holidays are
designed to maintain the fragile balance between the different sects
in the country. Most public holidays have religious or other
significance which obviously must be respected and left alone but
others need to be wiped for the good of the nation’s economy.
Paying respect and homage should not be associated with declaring holidays.
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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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