Life can be simpler!

by Gururaja Budhya

I never thought life would be so difficult. Difficulties arise due to the rigid procedures and complicated systems. If it is anything to do with the ADB, one can assume that simple can be complex – whether it is accountability and transparency. I was not sure to get my visa to Spain to attend the ADB-AGM till the last minute. Irrespective of years of experience in organizing AGMs, the ADB cannot foresee this (or may be they are aware, but do not want to address). Willy could not make it to Madrid precisely for the bureaucratic way the 'visa procedures' ask for bundles of documents, follow a rigid procedure to apply and wait. Is it the ADB way to restrict the 'participation' in AGMs?

I wonder why one has to come all the way from their countries to Madrid to meet the 'decision-makers' and the 'officials' of the bank? I do agree with Avilash when he says that money is burnt in air travel that also produces green house gases. But the point is can't the ADB develop a national annual procedure that gives the citizens more opportunity within the country to interact with the ADB resident missions, the Executive Directors and the Governor?

Thinking all these, it was the afternoon of May day that I reached Madrid. It was exhaustive travel from Bangalore – Frankfurt – Madrid that I slept the rest of the day without having the dinner. I missed the May Day celebrations of the Madrid.

2nd of May some of got early to the AGM venue, which we had to take metro and reach the IFEMA (the convention center). Registration, the materials, the coupons, the bags – it took a long time for us to find the place. The ADB is known to organize AGMs in places where it is difficult for people to reach – first the countries and then the locations within the countries.

Then we moved on to the solidarity evening with friends across the globe at Paraiso del Jamon at Noviciado, it was amazing to see the pork museum in the hotel (port hung all over the restaurant). It was a few mugs of beer, mushroom fry, potato+egg cakes with the bread that relaxed the evening. Paulina the sweet colleague was ensuring that all of us were attended. I enjoyed the atmosphere and relaxed.

Not to forget to mention the experience of metro. Deep feet below under layers of tracks that one has to constantly look for blue, pink, … lanes and keep looking at map for not missing the way. It's an experience of Madrid.

I keep coming back to the question of why the high officials are comfortable to meet or hear the CSOs or the lobbyists only in AGMs or only in their headquarters and not in the field where they implement the projects! The huge empty buildings that the ADB creates, hosts the bureaucracy that runs the show – is also empty of not knowing what and how to do? But then comes up another question – Whether the life is simpler?