Why ‘Babu’ Shouldn’t Be Your ‘BFF’: The Case for Smaller Government

Ah, the infamous babu. If you’ve ever had to deal with government paperwork, you know exactly who I’m talking about. That well-meaning but overly involved figure who is always there, looking over your shoulder, and making everything 10 times more complicated than it needs to be. Think of him as your overzealous, long-lost cousin—one who keeps reminding you about your childhood mistakes, and not letting you do anything by yourself, ever.

But here’s the twist: maybe it’s time we stop treating the babu like our best friend forever (BFF), and instead start putting him on a diet—a smaller government diet. Let’s talk about why less government intervention and more personal responsibility is exactly what India needs to move forward.

The Babu and the Never-Ending Paperwork

Picture this: You need to get a simple permit—something that, in a perfectly rational world, would take a few clicks on a website. But no, not in the world of Indian bureaucracy! What you get instead is an endless stream of forms, documents, and signatures. You’ve got to present proof of your address, proof of your father’s name, proof of your pet’s happiness (okay, not really the last one, but you get my point).

Then enters the babu—the ever-present figure sitting behind the desk, flipping through files older than your great-grandfather’s favorite radio. You hand him the required documents, and instead of a simple approval, he sends you off on a wild goose chase for even more documents.

But let’s not blame the babu entirely. He’s only doing his job, right? In fact, he probably spends half his life shuffling papers in the maze of red tape. That’s the thing about overcomplicated systems—they create jobs for people who end up being more hurdles than helpers.

Less Government, More Freedom

Now, imagine a world where babu takes a step back, and you get to handle your own affairs without having to jump through a million hoops. Instead of bureaucratic barriers, you get streamlined services, where processes are designed to be quick, efficient, and online—without the babu's constant shadow.

Take a look at countries where the government doesn’t micromanage every aspect of your life. There, citizens have the freedom to manage their affairs without worrying about running into the next babu with a stack of files. Whether it’s setting up a business, registering for a property, or even dealing with taxes, everything is designed to make life easier.

By focusing on minimal intervention, the government can free up its resources to tackle larger, pressing issues—like healthcare, education, or infrastructure. This leaves citizens with the freedom to make decisions and take responsibility for their own lives. The babu won’t be there to tell you how to live your life, and guess what? You won’t miss him at all!

The Power of Personal Responsibility

Now, don’t get us wrong—we’re not advocating for a complete hands-off approach here. We need the government to ensure public safety, security, and fair access to resources. But what we really need is for it to stop micromanaging the day-to-day affairs of its people. Let’s allow the citizens to take charge of their own decisions, whether they relate to business, personal finances, or healthcare.

Imagine a world where the government focuses only on its core functions: protecting citizens, maintaining law and order, and upholding basic rights. Innovation would thrive, and citizens would be more empowered to solve problems themselves, without waiting for the next babu to hand out permission slips.

The reality is, India’s future depends on a shift of focus from government intervention to individual empowerment. We need a government that facilitates growth, rather than one that is constantly looking over your shoulder, checking whether you’ve followed the rules they’ve set up for you.

Let’s Send ‘Babu’ on Vacation

It’s time for a little less bureaucratic chaos and a little more personal freedom. Let’s send babu on an extended vacation, where he can reflect on the days when his job was important, but not necessary. It’s time for him to stop slowing us down and start freeing us up.

What we need is a government that empowers its citizens, takes a step back, and focuses on making the big decisions. With fewer roadblocks, we’ll see more innovation, better service, and ultimately, a more prosperous India.

So, the next time you have to deal with that all-knowing babu who’s armed with a stack of papers and a distrusting look, remember: less is more. It's time we told our BFF babu—we’ll handle it from here.