This refers to the report "Khobragade case fallout: MEA urges FinMin to overhaul servant policy" (January 14). What is baffling is the need to have servants when diplomats are posted abroad. Servants, as a concept, is alien not only to the US but other affluent nations as well. Only the wealthy can afford them, and those who avail of their services pay the prevalent minimum wages. A whole range of devices are now available to perform routine household chores. Where is the need for a servant and why should the tax-paying citizen bear the cost for it? Even in India, the cost of maid services is mounting. Many middle-class families have vacuum cleaners, washing machines, microwave ovens and dishwashers to reduce their dependence on servants. Robotic technology has brought in another array of remotely-operated gadgets such as the Roomba - a robotic vacuum cleaner that automatically cleans and plugs itself for charging. Many Indians who go to other countries on work visas live this way. Unfortunately, it is the babu culture that is so deeply ingrained in our way of life - carrying briefcases, files, opening doors, bowing deeply, setting up chairs, being obsequious, standing up when the masters walk in, leaving our shoes outside when we go to meet them. The list is endless and these are practices that are not acceptable in many countries. Our government can buy these gadgets for our staff that are posted outside and save a lot of money and the hassles. More importantly, robots do not complain either.
H N Ramakrishna Bangalore
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