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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Rampant Corruption in India - who is responsible ?

An obnoxious hindrance en route to India’s economic development is Corruption. It’s indeed disappointing to witness this monstrous practice all over the country for which, the country’s retarded progress bears the brunt. Indian Citizens’ incredulous attitudes to culpabilities and annoying recriminations have severely retarded the country’s economic growth over the years. Any strong building must have a well-built foundation and likewise, for every process to prosper, things must be hassle-free at the grass-root level. The latter is what is alarming, and the citizens have, at the grass root level, been very supportive of this devil ‘Corruption’ ever since its unfortunate inception. When I say grass root level, I really mean and it starts right from a child’s admission to nursery school where parents are forced to shell out a lump sum under a venerable term ‘donation’. To see a middle class population donate money to financially rich convent schools should be an indication of a very high standard of living prevailing in the country, but do the Indian middle class really lead a luxurious life? The instigation that sets up at nursery continues and intensifies when the student takes up a professional course at an age, he/she should be exercising franchise to decide the country’s political prospects. Medical and Engineering College admissions have been witnessing corruption of the highest order year after year under the decorous ‘Management Quota’. Citizens’ self-centered attitude in seeking professional seats, failing to show even the least concern for the credibility of the existing system has largely contributed to the non-abolition of corruption. The education institutions, which inculcate moral values, discipline and nurture the talents in budding leaders of tomorrow, have been losing their renowned reputation over the years, thanks to citizens’ incorrigibility.

Another atrocious act of corruption rampant is the unpleasant relationship most citizens, in the form of motorists, share with the traffic policemen. The former seldom comply with the rules and regulations and the latest, overrule of the ‘compulsory wear of helmet’ has made traffic policemen work over-time for their perks. Basic rules like carrying of vehicle papers, driving license, abiding by one-way traffic changes are being violated constantly and the corruption that is seen on arterial roads, leads its way to police stations and suitcases have the final say in higher offices. The situation is much worse in Regional Transport Offices where, over the years,
this offense has been ceaselessly encouraged and now, bribery is made a customary practice. What citizens basically lack is moral discipline to conform to guidelines, and instead, they carry out horrendous practices as alternatives, unaware of the deadly repercussions. Corruption reaches its zenith at the time of elections when the electorates, especially in rural areas are wooed by the MLAs and MPs-in-waiting, to vote in their favor. The Election Commissioners, also in a way, citizens, turn mere spectators on most occasions, failing to unshackle this illegitimate transfer of money and their credibility is certainly questionable. After assuming office, the sitting MLAs and MPs turn the tables on citizens and the latter are forced to be at the mercy of the former for the provision of basic amenities. The crux of the above statement is the citizens’ reprehensible exercise of the Universal Adult Franchise, thanks to their indefinite greed for money unaware of the fact that politicians are craving for more monetary gains when power fall into their hands. Now, the gaffe on the part of indulgent citizens is twofold – apart from accepting bribe, they promote the same at the highest level. Five years hence, the politicians’ atrocities move into oblivion in the eyes of the electorate and the process continues to be a vicious circle. Though corruption is perceived by officials in all public and private offices, the root-cause for its conspicuous perpetuity are the country's own citizens.

Categorically, the youth of today, lenient toward corruption, thereby become the Police officers, Councillors, MLAs and MPs of tomorrow. Eradication of this contagious practice is not a facile task but it shall definitely be made feasible if citizens sincerely work towards it. Long terms goals are achieved by setting up of short term ones at different stages and achieving each one of them in a phased manner. Here, I refer to the cleaning up of one department followed by another as the short term goals and as we continue this good work, we shall live in a corruption-free India in the near future. In this era of political ambiguity when citizens’ antagonisms towards politicians’ double standards are most often viewed with contention, it certainly makes no sense to expect politicians to lead by example. The need of the hour is to stop recriminations, accept blame if one is culpable and take the extra mile to clean the system - lead by example, and I’m sure, the rest in higher echelons will follow suite. The next generation of well-disciplined citizens holding moral values is the forlorn hope for a developed India. Indulgence in corruption despite knowing the recklessness is like hitting one’s forehead at cornerstone, sighted miles ahead of approach.

Let’s strive to achieve this daunting task. Jai Hind!!!

P.S: I'm planning to write a story set in a high school milieu for the next month phased into 4 parts or maybe 8 parts...depends... Look right and cast your vote for the same.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

another article frm another disgusted indian citizen on corruption...urs wil go down as the 7988654321st i believe...

s, red-tape has grown frm a mear menace 2 a wholesale commodity to a retail craze...there s no stopping it..or checking it..

somethin noteworthy in dis article is it blames not jus d ppl in higher echelons, but d laity...the public perinially point an accusing finger ,all d while , not acknowledgin their own contribution in worsening the already worse 'system'...

we all need ta change..but am gonna say this..whatever one says or writes or..SCREAMS! is in vain..we r silent antagonists in dis false world..

talkin abt change an revolution is good..but it wont work..(i know am gonna b regarded as a pessimist ,but, all of us know deep down, tht its d bitter truth)

i was waitin fer dis one frm rajesh..an i second all tht he has stated.. the wheels of time wil lie in wait an watch..hope what they c is better than ,what we c ,2day..

good one da...

Unknown said...

goshh our country.. or rather the citizens of india.. will keep voicing out there frustrations.. but then who is there to listen..

we do need new breed of politicians to take up the whole system.. but then.. u will actually get in to the system..

its easy to point fingers and say .. this is bad.. and thts corrupt..but as an individual.. none of us actually wanna join the active politics and try to change.. because right now change we need is the system.. and tht can happen only when we are in it..

till we have ppl joinining.. and this i mean a new generation of ppl to remove the old naggy and corrupt leaders that we have right now.. some are corrupt they also do their work.. which is different..

but we do need the youth to participate.. we are the future.. and we need to shape it ourselves..

man in painting said...

We are a confused society..And it is natural..A 'country'more diverse than the european union..And we are not motivated by higher ideals..It is the sign of a decaying culture..
be the change.
there is no other way to change this society..
we are waiting for the story..

Anonymous said...

the theme is so real yet so unreal..i mean corruption really starts at the grass root level..and often we rename and reuse the same old accepted techniques...
people taking bribes would name it as 'deserved commission'..and so on and so forth..
Corruption is so evident and yet so deceitful..
loved the whole write-up as always..
waiting for the story..

Meghna said...

A really inspiring post rajesh.....I know India will improve with the coming years jst coz I think today's youth is really concerned :) Jst like u ppl!!! I'm glad you wrote this and I read it...
I voted :P

BTW< just wondering....I think you should visit my other blog Delve.....you'll certainly find it more interesting :)

Hooked on and I'll keep reading so keep inspiring :)

lukkydivz said...

OMG i see really big comments here :P
Did you write an essay on corruption rajesh? :P

Toon Indian said...

I don't really agree with you that people at the grass root level are responsible for perpetuating corruption..those are the guys who have no other option to survive..corruption stems from upper strata of society, from top executives ,polticial big wigs.
Poor people are merely forced to abide the rules created by them, unless the socalled educated,economically well off India shys away from this menace,we have no way out!!!!

nice blog man!!!

Rajesh said...

@ Durga
Ya...I accept...things are easier said than done...but I just pray God for a day when writers like me are not forced to write such articles cursing the country's citizens

@ Ani
Ya rightly said...We, the youth should take things forward...there was a party Lok Parithran that contested the Assembly polls here last time but response was not very encouraging....It was a party that comprised of all IITians.. Good things do happen but takes time...we've waited enough...so good times are not far away.. :)

@ Shruti
Ya...thanks...just started writing the story..I'll post the 1st part on August 1st...U can read it during the weekend...hope i entertain u with a fun-filled episode.. :D

@ Meghna
Happy that I'm able to make ppl get hooked on to my blogs...thanks a lot...really encourages me to give u guys better articles in the days to come...keep visiting.. The story which I'm planning to post next weekend will be a fun-filled one...hopefully :)

@ Luckydivvz
Not really an essay...it was just to express my disgust at what is happening in today's indian politics - Horse trading of MPs. It is pathetic...so came up with this write-up last night and posted it this noon...hope u liked it...

@ Rahul
Opinions differ but I certainly feel that we, the citizens are always busy pointing fingers at others rather than accepting our mistakes...once we lead by an example, the higher echelons will follow suite...Lets bring abt a change in the near future :)

Jahnabi Roy said...

this is like one of those topics abt which u cant relly comment on much other than the fact tht it is very much prevalent... everyone knows about it... and its here to stay for a long time... every generation is gonna have major a**holes who're gonna take bribe...starting frm th basic level clerk to the highest official... n nothing can be done about it till everybody gets a respectable standard of living... i mean can u blame a govt official who's sitting and giving his whole day to work and earning like a quarter of th income of some guy who works in an mnc and prolly has the same qualifications?? not relly justifying tht bribes are correct or watever... but to do somen about it... the basic standard of living of ppl has to be raised...

Rajesh said...

@ Everything..
Well...ya...correct...but then I'm sure we'll raise the bars of better living very soon :)

Anonymous said...

nice blog yarr

Anonymous said...

well dude... from the limited knowledge i have, all i can say is people never change by reading posts like these or by watching some inspirational movies...
it just depends upon their priorities... upon which one they prefer... money or values
as long as people r greedy for money, no one can do anythin abt it
as simple as that

Anindita said...

Corruption is rampant everywhere. Almost everyone is a venal pig these days! The big shot politicians and the big shot MLA's have made crime and corruption, the two popular assets! It is outrageous that we as a country do nothing to reduce let alone stop corruption. But individual efforts do count! It goes a really long way! We should maintain our morals in times like these! :)

deepsat said...

the scum is penetrated a lot into the country. a few with ideals cannot change what the country is going through. there has to be a revolution! another one!! but then, who will start? who has the time? who "wants to"?

;-))

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with you. To me, corruption was just a term until I saw it portrayed in movies like Indian, Mudhalvan and Ramana. That's when it hit me really hard - I guess filmmakers can really get a point across if they want to. And I was also happy when Lok Paritran came into the political scene, but I guess the dream of educated youngsters ruling the country was too good to be true! Of course, that might lead to more polished red tape, but we need to be optimistic, don't we? Hope things take a good turn soon...

Preeti said...

India's got a long way to go before it can get anywhere near progress...like a REALLY long way...i am patriotic n all that, but when i look at the situation around, i feel like getting away...yes, im selfish, yes, im that grass-root, but i cant help it...the situations around is disgusting...

RiverSoul said...

Hey Rajesh,
We definitely need some more posts like this one, to make some higher ups sit up and take notice.
Gr8 work. I agree with your views,
And kudos to you.
:)

Vivek said...

Perfectly written!!!! Polotics is one field where an honest man cannot survive and we can do nothing but complain. I shouldnt even talk about this considering the fact that I am not returning to India in the near future..so no comments!!

By the way, forgot to mention this to you...I had the good fortune of meeting Shreya, tell her how much i adore her voice and...HOLD YOUR BREATH...took 3 pics with her :D..do visit my blog too man!!!

Vivek said...

http://vicksvapourub420.blogspot.com/2007/02/rendezvouz-with-shreya-ghoshal_19.html

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

well written. . . .but lets face it..nothing is gonna change for a long long time..and all we can/will do is just hope that things dont get worse :).

WritingsForLife said...

well written.... I wish I had answers.

Cяystal said...

Haha.
I wish I had answers.
And forget answers....i have even more questions up my sleeve :)

I won't say anything like "perfect" or "India will definitely be........etc etc"

Lets make it happer,bro.
Lets make India achieve what it deserves.
Jo Sone ki chiddiya thi,usko humein heere ki chiddiya banana hai humein.

Vande Matram.
(PS_thnx for blogrolling me..and if you wish to..you can go through my prev posts..I have written abt India..quite a lot!)

Ferrin B said...

wow. nicely written. i think that deserves an applause.

Kirklops said...

I can see you are frustrated and would like to do something helpful as far as removing the corruption scourge is concerned. Blogging about that is nice too but if you are serious about the cause, just keeping this post as one among all your other posts won't help.

Why don't you dedicate a blog for this purpose where you can write against corruption and then initiate a wide discussion on the topic. My belief is that in today's world, made smaller by the internet, being heard is no longer an issue. The opinion of every one of us counts and can be made count.

Though discussion alone won't help in the long run, the more people realise what's on other people's mind and how about others' take on coruption, atleast the readers of the blog will start changing in what little way they can to remove the unfortunate habit of corruption from their behaviour, and as this number increases, this number not only silently opposing corruption but also voicing out their disgust, in time i believe any scourge can be eradicated.

And seeing that as i write this you have 5994 hits, readers you do have and wouldn't that be a great reason to believe that your opinions matter and that you can make a difference?

Anonymous said...

Good for people to know.