This refers to “Importance of Shunglu” by Sanjaya Baru (October 18). The government has done well to promptly set up the Shunglu committee to probe “irregularities in the organisation of the 19th Commonwealth Games (CWG)”. Big ventures are made up of system-centric and human-centric components. These components complement each other and one is supposed to strengthen the other when either of them is found wanting or there are grey areas. Similarly, the failure analysis can take either direction. One way is to focus on individual failings and append to this a list of generalised system defects. The other way is to dwell intelligently on the system matrix, troubleshoot systemic failures, improve interface, build accountability, monitor, and then, append a note on individual aberrations.
The CWG investigation is taking the latter approach. A showcase report should eventually force even detractors to admit that a balanced and in-depth study of the CWG issue will pave the way for improved systems to handle large and multi-faceted projects in future, not only by the government but also large private enterprises.Thus, the report is more than a routine post-mortem. The first approach could have won brownie points for political parties and appreciation from sections of media, public and politicians that are given to hyperbole.
R Narayanan, Ghaziabad