There is noise. There is clamour. There are voices of support. There is also vociferous resentment. Both are at opposite ends of the pole. A lot has to happen to arrive at a midpoint of agreement. It will require time. It will demand maturity for negotiation. The Nation will have to come out of its cocoon of status quo and inertia. We shall, without choice, have to embrace change and accept realities as they both exist and shall develop over our journey to centenary celebrations in 2047. The then generation must have reasons to applaud us for bold decisions and forward-looking decisions.

Some are inclined towards hope. Some see only despair. All the dust that has been thrown up is a consequence of a general feeling across the board that the system, if not completely rotten or has collapsed, is surely, in the minimum, certainly not working. The gulf of difference in the governance standards between one province and the other is glaringly visible. At least the optics are very different.

The demand for more provinces is gaining momentum. While there is value in having smaller administrative units, it is equally a valid thought held by many that it will necessarily lead to better governance. Possibly yes, with a caveat that it will succeed only if it is backed by a strong and legally well-defined process of accountability. Failing this litmus test of governance, we must brace to witness more vexatious corruption, nepotism and favouritism.

A few politicians and several forces of anti-creation of provinces are issuing statements with taunt and sarcasm.....if currently four/five provinces run on a high index of corruption, what will be the size and quantum of it, in say 12–15 provinces? This argument is a mere distraction.........

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