Where is not corruption? it is intermingled with every affair of our life. Ask any body "why do take bribe?" Quick comes the reply. "Don't we also bribe the gods with oblation and other sorts of gifts?" Our norms have changed now. When the entire social and economic set up breathes of 'speedy money' to push things through. it is almost impossible to resist temptation. Human beings are. after all,human beings.
These days our norms are palm-greasing, extortion's by politicians from industrialists, by inspectors body from every body else for small favours. The vicious circle goes on unchecked. Our ministers, politicians and officers are getting think skinned. Many times, the parliament saw storms of charges of corruption against ministers, their sons in-law. The Licence-scandal of 1974 is unforgettable. Today, in India, corruption is all a way of life, a routine, a disease that is incurable.
These days our norms are palm-greasing, extortion's by politicians from industrialists, by inspectors body from every body else for small favours. The vicious circle goes on unchecked. Our ministers, politicians and officers are getting think skinned. Many times, the parliament saw storms of charges of corruption against ministers, their sons in-law. The Licence-scandal of 1974 is unforgettable. Today, in India, corruption is all a way of life, a routine, a disease that is incurable.
Every few years there is much discussion of this problem which is described as the foremost issue in the country. At occasions, like 'Garibi Hatao', 'Small pox Elimination'. 'Malaria Eradication'; there have been campaigns of 'corruption Eradicatior'. There have been tall talks by the leaders of the nation at Political Rostrums and daises condemning corruption.
Calling 'graft' a sin, the moral preachers have been advising us, "Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare." But all these tall talks have testified the truth and validity of the dictum, "Trying to solve a problem by verbal arguments is like trying to clear up a traffic jam by honking your horn." Every time corruption is condemned as a cancer in society, but then there is silence; the flash of enthusiasm fades away.
The focus of attention shifts to other more pressing problems of bread and butter; of political survival, of new parties and politicians, of inquiries and commissions, of rehabilitating the flood victims, of creating food a work for the famine-stricken, or of seeking a vote of confidence in Legislatures by winning or eliminating the dissidents. And life again goes on in the same way rocking in the cradle of corruption for sailing the boat of graft rowed by the anchors of degenerated morality and polluted Integrity.
Item 6 of the terms of reference of the 'Prevention of corruption committee headed by Mr.K. Santhanam, some years ago, was revealing by itself and indirectly admitted that corruption and bribery were indeed flourishing among public servants, ministers, legislators, political parties industrialists, merchants and also the general public.
[ Part 1] [ Part 2] [ Part 3] [ Part 5]
Calling 'graft' a sin, the moral preachers have been advising us, "Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare." But all these tall talks have testified the truth and validity of the dictum, "Trying to solve a problem by verbal arguments is like trying to clear up a traffic jam by honking your horn." Every time corruption is condemned as a cancer in society, but then there is silence; the flash of enthusiasm fades away.
The focus of attention shifts to other more pressing problems of bread and butter; of political survival, of new parties and politicians, of inquiries and commissions, of rehabilitating the flood victims, of creating food a work for the famine-stricken, or of seeking a vote of confidence in Legislatures by winning or eliminating the dissidents. And life again goes on in the same way rocking in the cradle of corruption for sailing the boat of graft rowed by the anchors of degenerated morality and polluted Integrity.
Item 6 of the terms of reference of the 'Prevention of corruption committee headed by Mr.K. Santhanam, some years ago, was revealing by itself and indirectly admitted that corruption and bribery were indeed flourishing among public servants, ministers, legislators, political parties industrialists, merchants and also the general public.
[ Part 1] [ Part 2] [ Part 3] [ Part 5]
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