J : Jugaad that we don't need #AtoZchallenge

Wikipedia defines Jugaad as :

Jugaad is a colloquial Hindi and Punjabi word, which has various meanings depending on the situation. Roughly translated, jugaad is a "hack". It could also refer to an innovative fix or a simple work-around, a solution that bends the rules, or a resource that can be used in such a way. It is also often used to signify creativity—to make existing things work, or to create new things with meager resources.

Jugaad is increasingly accepted as a management technique and is recognized all over the world as an acceptable form of frugal engineering at peak in India. Companies in India are adopting Jugaad as a practice to reduce research and development costs. Jugaad also applies to any kind of creative and out-of-the-box thinking or life hacking that maximizes resources for a company and its stakeholders.

Clearly, above definition is a work of a sharp MBA mind and nothing more than bull-shit. Equating Jugaad with things like Frugal Engineering or putting it across as a management technique to overcome resource constraints is clearly overstating the purpose of Jugaad. Yes, Jugaad is a hack, or a quick-fix solution to some pressing problem. But it should not be accepted as a norm. It shouldn't become a standard. It is just a Plan B - something temporary. There is no sustainability or quality in it. You can't build a nation or a company based on a Jugaad.

If you are an Indian, you would have often heard this phrase - "Hamaara Desh toh jugaad pe chalta hai" (Our country runs on Jugaad). This is largely used in context of non functional coalition governments, which are paralyzed by the compulsions of their coalitions.  If Jugaad was such a good thing, why would you hear this phrase often?

Here is a list of Jugaad(s) we don't need:

• Let us not have any Jugaad when it comes to running the governments (state / central). Public service is a long term priority. The hunger of power shouldn't lead to political parties with different ideologies coming together to form a government. For effective governance, we should have decisive governments. We shouldn't be having populist measures like waiving of of agricultural loans so that political parties can nurture their vote banks. In long term, this Jugaad is not sustainable. Ideally governments should take steps and develop policies which help agriculture in long run, for example. 
• Let us say no to Jugaad when it comes to a public servant discharging his or her duty. There is no need of chai / paani (bribe) to get our work done. Let us not break rules in the first place that we need to use Jugaad to get out of the mess. Let us stop saying, "Kuch Jugaad Laga Ke bacha lo sir". (Use some Jugaad to save me)
• Let us say no to Jugaad when it comes to the safety of people. Yes, frugal engineering is important to manage costs of a company. But that doesn't mean that companies can use sub standard materials or relax their safety norms. There are enough industrial accidents to prove that we are not doing a good job in manufacturing especially in SME sector. Let us personally not do things like stealing electricity using some illegal connection, just to save some money. Fire hazards are common in such situations. Let us stop saying, "Apna Jugaad set hai bijli board mein". (I have a jugaad - an accomplice - in electricity board) 

I hope I have been able to put across my point that how Jugaad, can lead to a governance paralysis or large scale retail corruption that can erode savings of a common man or lead to several physical hazards. 

Let us also stop objectifying and slut-shaming women by describing them as a Jugaad in our regular conversations and popular songs. 

What is the Jugaad you would say no to?

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My last year's challenge post from letter J was about Joy of parenthood. Read it here. 

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is all about writing stories, anecdotes and observations from my life in form of easy to read listicles. You can read the theme reveal post here.