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The Stories We Choose to Believe
When personal interests begin to shape collective narratives
The human mind has a peculiar tendency to accept descriptions of people that reinforce what it already wishes to believe. We often accept a version of events without examining the other side, particularly when the narrative confirms our existing perceptions. In time, the narrative itself can become more important than the truth.
I experienced something of this nature during my years in trade union activities. What began as an effort to discharge an elected responsibility gradually exposed me to an uncomfortable aspect of human behaviour: how fear, insecurity, mediocrity and personal interests can influence the way another person's contribution is perceived and portrayed.
In the early 1990s, I was elected to represent Jammu and Kashmir in an association of bank officers. The arrangement provided for state-level representation under the Circle leadership, broadly following the administrative structure of the bank.
By virtue of ooccupying this office, I was holding the office of the State Secretary of the Confederation of Officers Federations across the banks , for the Jammu & Kashmir State too.
I approached the responsibility with a straightforward understanding. An elected office was not…
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