Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country:India
The corruption of the best is the worst. [Lat., Corruptio optimi pessima.]
- Latin proverb
Corruption has crept in every system crossing cultural and geographical boundaries. It is literally under every stone you turn. It is also in every alley you turn into, every nook and cranny you might care to peep into. Corruption happens as much in broad daylight as it does behind closed doors. It is as much a part of my life as it is of yours. Corruption includes taking or giving bribe, lack of transparency in system. This world has become worst by corrupt humans. Who- by very their nature are destroying the ethical and moral values present in society or individuals.
For a person who is taking bribe – it's an opportunity, and for the person who is giving the bribe – it's his/her need. A person who demands bribe wants to encash the opportunity. The idea of getting benefited or profited by helping the person who is in need is itself evil. It's like playing with the conscience of a weaker party. A person in power shows his willingness to help if you grease his palm. Is that a help at all? The corrupt officer is not helping the weak by Love or courtesy but, helping for some money. How strange it is to be sold for some amount of money our humanity and love!! People are forgetting that love to help others can be done unselfishly.
When I believe both the giver and taker of the bribe to be equally guilty of corruption. By giving bribe we are guiltier than the person who is taking it. If we straight forwardly fight for justice and don't bribe... He learns a lesson of not asking bribe.
"If there is corruption in society, each one of us is responsible. It is wrong to blame the system. Why do we separate ourselves from the system? Don't we vote the corrupt to power? Don't we endlessly suffer from all deprivations and refuse to raise our voice? And then when it becomes too much, we crib."
When a question is asked to an officer who is responsible for this corruption? He answered "I don't think the common man is responsible. I don't blame the man who shells out money so that he doesn't have to spend half his day in a queue at the municipal office. Is it not more pertinent to ask how these serpentine queues are created? Are we short of staff in an overpopulated country with a large section educated but unemployed? This theory that people feed the monster of corruption is eyewash."
Another person who stuck by his ideals even when the going got tough was Khairnar[1]. Of his lifelong crusade against corruption, he says: "It is possible to be honest in a world rampant with corruption. Possible, but very, very difficult. Colleagues deprived of their share of ill-earned booty, make life difficult in the office. The honest officer also earns the ire of superiors who are themselves under tremendous pressure from political bosses. Memos may be sent. Inquiry committees bent on vindication may be ordered against the erring official and transfers may be affected. The officer may also find himself framed in a legal trap. Life becomes difficult. Thus hated, isolated, and beaten, an honest man feels lonely and confused. What makes it a hard battle and an unfair one is the honest man's inability to pay his legal bills. His scrupulous honesty pits him against powerful vested interests. He has to fight on his own."
He sums up his life in one sentence: "Today one does not have to be a revolutionary to create a storm. Being honest is enough." But I say honesty and fear of God can stop the spread of this evil called corruption.
What makes these people virtually corruptible? What gives them the conviction that we lack the strength to swim against the tide? The answer is "WE" who encourage the greed of money. "We" are making people virtually corrupted by bribing and not fighting against corruption. And "We" make an impression that we lack the strength to swim against tide and go along with many and silently encourage corruption. The solution to end this problem also lies "Within US" (When we react and to fight against corruption)
If we don't fight against this evil of corruption we'll be the greatest promoter of this evil. Don't be silent….Take a stand at personal level…Voice out….Fight against corruption...If you don't who will?
[1] MR. G. R. KHAIRNAR, a senior official in a mismanaged Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Khairnar is undoubtedly an honest man. http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jun/14nandy.htm
