Corruption

Anna Hazare and the Lok Pal movement, has galvanised the nation on the matter of corruption, in a hitherto unseen manner. The debate is still on whether a strong Jan Lok Pal Bill is good enough to eradicate corruption from this country. If I may dare say so, it seems highly unlikely at this juncture. Corruption has been ingrained in the Indian psyche; like it or not, it's very difficult to curb this menace. Corruption, today, is all pervasive phenemenon cutting across boundaries of caste,religion, gender,profession,sector or region.


I believe that corruption has flourished because, we as a society, have accepted it. We applaud an acquaintance, the moment he gets a good posting(read good table); not because the pay check at the end of the month is handsome, but because of the potential of "sa-paani khoros" that can be earned from it. Trust me, its no longer about "sa-paani"; it is a seven course meal at a five star restaurant at the least! Success, in our society, is measured by the amount of money that can be earned, through honest or dishonest means; the length of the car or size of the diamond on your wife's finger.


Nothing dampens the heart more, than when you see the corrupt flourish and the honest struggle. Honest people exist in this society. But as a young person growing up in this enviornment, what path do you choose. Looking around,you will be tempted to believe that dishonesty pays. From bureaucrats, to businessmen, politicians to clerks, its all the same- a few IT raids only enhance your reputation, and without a few cases against your name, life does not seem exciting enough. Its easy to get lost in this delirious haze of corruption.


As an honest citizen of this country, what is expected of me? I feel that the country needs my honesty. As I said earlier, it is not easy. It is easy to succumb, so easy to give in; peer pressure, growing expenses, and a depreciating rupeee don't help at all. In this regards a few lines of Meatloaf come to the mind-"No matter, what they tell you; No matter what they do;No matter what they teach you, What you believe is true". It basically sums up the way I approach life. I believe that we are all answerable to only one thing- our Conscience; it does not matter what religion, sect or creed you belong to. I have talked with honest people from different strata of society. They may have a multitude of problems; but they are all inherently happy and at peace with themselves; there is a glint in their eyes and a swell in their chest when they talk about how they have struggled and survived against the odds. If the success of a man is to be measured in terms of happiness, contentment and peace, an honest man wins hands down,everytime.


Corruption can be rooted out by honesty. No law can prevent it, for no law can touch our Conscience. A strong anti-corruption law will obviously be a deterrent; but the change has to come from within. We, as a society, must awaken. Mahatma Gandhi based a major part of his freedom movement on the principle of non co-operation.Let us imagine, that we boycott the corrupt people in our neighbourhood; we refuse to pay the additional Rs.100/- to get the LPG cylinder and cook on wood fire for a change; we ask for a bill every time we shop; we pay our taxes honestly. Parents need to instill the value of honesty; its not only about marks in term end examinations-its about how you get them. Exam times are always stressful; but fortunately for me they were never a cause of anxiety. My mother, a teacher herself, used to tell me only one thing - fail if you will, but do not cheat. Period. So I never bothered about the results. I tried my best and left it upto the examiner to judge my performance. By no means a brilliant student, I am satisfied with what I have achieved; for I know that it is my hard work and not some one else's.
It is the little things in our day to day lives that count. We do not need to go out on the streets and burn effigies; we do not need to call bandhs or slap politicians. All we need is to be true and honest to ourselves. Is it that difficult?