By Dr AK Srivastava
“Integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption have to be part of
the culture. They have to be taught as fundamental values.” – Angel Gurría, former OECD, Secretary General.
First of all, let us understand what corruption is. To my understanding, it is an unfair way of accepting an offer in cash or in kind in lieu of a favour promised by an officer or influential person in authority. It can also be a return offer in terms of reciprocal dealing. There can be many dimensions to corruption at personal and
official levels.
The history of corruption is as ancient as human civilisation. In all ages, we find some or the other form of corruption which became a tragic flaw for nations and individuals. It can also be discerned at lower levels. Like reaching the workplace
late, neglecting one’s duty, ignoring a weak man or party, providing secret information to undesirable elements, mixing water in milk and so on, are different types of corruption that spoil the fabric of our society.
“Corruption is a cancer, a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.” – Joe Biden, President of the United States.
It is believed that corruption always starts at the top of any government organisation.
If the top boss or officer is honest, most things will be settled automatically. It is like termites, which come down from the top to bottom.
Most people try to convince themselves that they will not accept bribes in the future, and it is
the first and last time.
One becomes addicted to corruption and the struggles, for a while, between consciousness and the weaker side of personality persists.
Finally, it goes into one’s system. It is seen that once the morals of an individual are
compromised, he or she finds it difficult to return to the path of honesty.
UNO has declared 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day with the with the intention of drawing public awareness to this menace. The Government of India has also passed the Prevention of Corruption Act 2018. The worst fact is that corruption is such an evil that bothers the underprivileged class most. They are the
ones who are hit by it to the maximum extent. It is a global menace, and India stands at 81st on the index of most corrupt nations.
The present government of the BJP has won the elections in 2014 and 2019 on the
main agenda, i.e., “fight against corruption”. The Congress government was voted out because it witnessed a series of serious financial scams that shook the economy of the nation. The BJP government has initiated a few very significant and powerful steps in this direction. For the first time the procedure of holding personal
interviews for blue-collar jobs has been abolished. Similarly, both the giver and recipients of a bribe are considered offenders of corruption. Demonetisation was another initiative to stop corruption. The government opened bank accounts for millions of villagers and common people who are getting government assistance
directly in their bank accounts. The concept of the middleman has been removed.
The government is trying hard to bring back black money from foreign countries. It has signed many treaties with the Swiss and other governments in this regard.
Information would be provided by foreign banks to the government of India from time to time about financial offenders who have escaped from the country. Many political leaders and government officers who own indiscriminate and enormous amounts of property are under tremendous pressure to disclose their sources of
income. Similarly, the properties of criminals are being bulldozed by the authorities according to the rules and laws of the land. Corruption is such an evil that it hampers the growth and progress of the nation. Its roots are deep and strong, and it requires courage to shake the system. In hospitals, railways, government offices, courts, and the education department, we can find it well settled. Roads are not properly built, and it causes accidents; traffic offenders are excused by taking bribes, and they endanger the lives of fellow citizens. In hospitals, medicines are not issued to patients, and doctors ignore their office timings.
“Corruption is the enemy of development and of good governance. It must be got rid of. Both the government and the people at large must come together to achieve this national objective.” – Former President Pratibha Patil.
Corruption is fatal to both the internal and external security of a nation. It is seen
that mighty and influential criminals manage to escape jail on parole. They have the money and muscle power to come out of the clutches of the law and the courts. The culprits of many serious blasts and rape cases get the benefit of the doubt as there is a lack of enough evidence against them. This all happens because law enforcement agencies do not do justice to their jobs. Hackers steal crucial and important information from our defence files and websites. We often read news about kickbacks in arms deals and scientific appliances used in the army. India has enormous natural wealth, and we are proud of it. But, corruption in felling trees, the exploitation of river water, and too much excavation of sand and other building materials are rampant. All this causes financial losses to the nation. The exploitation of natural wealth is a sad story, and it is spoiling the planet, our place of habitation.
Now we are celebrating the 75th year of our freedom. We should remember that
thousands of people have died so that we can relish the nectar of freedom.
Democracy and corruption cannot flourish together. This menace cannot be removed without the massive cooperation of both the government and the public, alike. We have many illustrations in history when powerful and towering empires were diminished by corrupt forces. Initially, the Mughals and then British forces ruled the nation simply because we fell victim to their traps. We failed to
comprehend the larger picture of peace, prosperity, and harmony before the baits
offered by foreign forces. Now, the time has come when we should be united and fight against corruption so that our beloved nation continues to attain greater heights in all walks of life.
“If a country is to be corruption-free and become a nation of beautiful minds. I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a
difference. They are the father, the mother, and the teacher”. – Former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun)
