If India’s dreams of progress, prosperity and power are to be realized, corruption must end. Without its eradication, it would be wise to lend a deaf ear to all the big India rising talks that surrounded the Obama visit. The fact is, we cannot rise in true sense if humiliating scandals keep burning in our backyard while we go about running the business of our lives indifferently.
Just yesterday, I had a friend telling me shocking stories about his tryst with the corrupt while he served one of the most prestigious defense research institutions in India. What he said sent jitters down my spine, and all the gush of patriotic blood that had my heart pumping passionately thanks to the recent Obama speech, died down. Helpless and hollow is what I felt. The presence of corruption in what should have been one of the most pristine of all offices suddenly cast a dark and pale Indian future in place of the bright and colorful one that had captured my imagination very recently. Why was this particular incident on corruption an eye opener for me despite having witnessed it at play on numerous occasions is as baffling a question to me as it may be to you. Well, I reckon it could be because the stink of it emanating from our armed forces was too sickening to handle and it sort of evoked a strong sense of repugnance. For all I know is that I had my moment of truth on corruption yesterday as it smirked at my helplessness in dealing with it and ruthlessly murdered all my flag-waving and saluting feelings.
I took an oath yesterday, a silent one. Until I can contribute to the destruction of this godforsaken ugly fortress of corruption, I will not lend my voice to the India rising chorus. For, there is so much more to be done before we even suggest our rise much less flaunt our arrival on the world stage. In fact, going one step further, before demanding an extra seat to fill in the UN Security Council, we need to fill those extra numbers of hungry stomachs that seem to be swelling with each passing hour. This may not go down well with some of you who have already tied the knot with jingoism. Before harboring great expectations from the world, we need to fulfill at least one bit of the tiny expectations of our country’s helpless. Before demanding recognition for our contribution on the global economic playfield from the world, we need to recognize the contribution of those roofless millions by providing them with at least the bare minimum. What kind of a nation are we if we look at those millions toiling it out in the sun building our dreams with contempt and disgust. Grow up, India! What are we trying to project here? That we are a bunch of hypocrites who get embarrassed and miffed when nations try to highlight the apathy of ‘our’ poor and urge us do something about it? Seriously, how bloody apathetic and devilish of us!
Anyway, enough already with the rhetoric, let’s get down to business. So, what should we do in order to amputate the lofty legs of this demon? The answer is pretty simple; shun all forms of corruption. Nip it in the bud, I say. Start from your homes. Don’t bribe your kids to score high in school. This’ll kill the greed in them. Don’t sneak your way out of fines, penalties or punishments by throwing the weight of your connections or money around. This’ll reinforce your commitment to the fundamental principles of country, equality and justice, promote the rule of law and most importantly set an appropriate precedent for others to follow. Don’t grease palms to get your work done. This would discourage corruption. In short, ensure that your actions do not undermine the country’s image and ideals. If each of us does his/her bit to deal a body blow to this menacing monster, the collective result will be its fall. And then, it would be extremely unwise to ignore the rising India chorus. For it won’t just be a clamor of stray unheard voices, but a lovely melody of a truly united India that would bring her close to other superpowers like US and China in the years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment