There r 2 major economies 2day in the world which are growing at a fast rate — India & China. In fact, both are being watched closely, and analysts predict that they will be the future economic super powers. There are varying reports as to who is outpacing the other.
Sadly though, there has been a negative side of this development as well: corruption and scandals are increasing alarmingly. And the magnitude of loot involved, as well as the large number of cases which are surfacing, makes one wonder what cost will society have to bear if unbridled corruption wreaks disaster on the development phenomenon. For, though scandals have been exposed and investigations are ordered, there has never been a single case of public money having been recovered. It is you and I who have to make good this loss to state exchequer by paying additional taxes.
what is being witnessed in the last few months in India is unprecedented. First, there was this Commonwealth Games scam (Rs. 15000 million or US $326 million), {Rs. 1300 Crore deficit for Commonwealth Games, taxpayers will Pay} followed by the biggest ever 2G Spectrum Scam (Rs. 1700000 million or US $ 38260 million). The list of recent spate of scams is long.
The deadliest cancer society is afflicted with today is corruption. If you it look up on Wikipedia, it describes the adjective form corrupt as ‘utterly broken’. That precisely describes the state of society as a result of this rotten practice by human beings the world over.
This is an attempt to reflect on the many dimensions of this pervasive hydra-headed monster. At the extreme inner core of this evil practice is the perverse desire of the individual for self-gratification borne out of extreme greed. The frustrating thought that it has not been controlled, let alone eradicated, even though it is projected to be unlawful and damaging to society, makes me sick.
Some possible explanations of how corruption took root can be in the following:
1. Insufficient earning making it difficult to earn a decent living and forcing people to seek illegal monetary favor
2. People expecting out of turn treatment in social, political and even commercial activity, thereby inducing person in position with gratification
3. Sections of society thinking they have what it takes to be above ordinary folk and displaying their wealth contemptuously to buy favors
4. Consumerism and materialism has fueled intense desire to acquire gadgets and goods even if not affordable within legitimate earning
Is acceptance of gratis without primary expectation for the same or working for it not corruption? Perceptions vary. If it is not, is there a dividing line between the two? Where does it lie?
The phenomenon leads to such weird psychological behavior that in a given environment, those indulging in such immoral practices often scoff at those who try to stay clean.
It is a sad commentary on this social menace that each individual is attempting to rob the other. For example, one person wants a trade license and he bribes or succumbs to bribe the officer; the officer in turn wants a driving license and he bribes or succumbs to the transport inspector and so on. One person needs a passport and is forced to pay bribe to an officer; the officer in passport wants a new electricity connection for his apartment and the engineer at Power Company forces a bribe on him. Cynics may argue that everything is balanced in the end, but there is high moral turpitude which is pervasive. Not many people can be thorough with compliance requirements regarding procedures. This is due to complicated laws and lack of transparency. Instead of using enforcement for guiding the gullible people, persons in administration use this to enforce their self-gratification demands at the cost of incomes to state from fines imposed. While governments, especially local governments get weaker and weaker financially, persons in position flourish. Instances are aplenty where persons in certain positions offer to help, in evasion of government dues, for self-gain.
Corruption has become completely institutionalized. Most public service departments have laid out arithmetical formulae for bribes from help seekers. The degree is rampant and alarming. The irony is there appears to be a sense of reconciliation — an acceptance of the phenomenon among citizens. So much so, contrary to times when bribe-seeking used to cause raised eyebrows and reactions, many seem to have accepted it as a fact of life. In fact, so ‘holistic’ is the refrain that people tend to certify some wrongdoers, arguing they ‘deliver’ even if they demand gratification in the process.
As far the different forms of corruption, institutions dealing with corruption and other facts about corruption, I find the Wikipedia page on Corruption quite informative.
Can we rid the ‘utterly broken’ behavior from society? Well, that means fight against might. I know of several non-governmental organizations’ crusades and limited success. Like me, many have short-sighted responses when it comes to action: why should it be me, when I know many others will not jump in and many a crusade has terminated in helplessness. I feel guilty and helpless at the same time. :-By "Pankaj Gangwar"
And when you think about it, we also become what we don’t eat. When we switch from eating meat to a vegetarian based diet, we become less fat, less prone to many types of cancers. Our cholesterol can improve. When we’re leaner and eating fewer animal products, then many other health and fitness issues are reduced. The incidence of Type II diabetes is reduced. Blood pressure falls into normal ranges. When you’re healthier, you’re taking fewer medications. Even if you have a prescription drug benefit in your health plan, you’re still saving money with fewer co-payments on medications.
