Nobody was surprised by BABA RAM DEV’S agitation against corruption. It was inevitable. However, the reaction of ruling Govt. was both unpredictable and somewhat suicidal. The rage of people in India over ever expanding corruption in all sectors has reached a feverish level. India has persistently been dropping down further in the transparency index. It ranks at 87 among 180 nations, which means that since 2008, it has slipped three points and countries like Namibia (56) Rwanda (66) are ahead of India in terms of transparency. There is an atrocious unrest in India especially after 5th June incident in Ram Leela Maidan in Delhi.
People are calling it a ‘season of scams’ that ropes in the alleged pilfering of crores by officials in last years CWG in Delhi, nearly $40 billion lost in 2G licenses sale, more than $40 billion stolen by UP Govt. alone from schemes run for welfare of poor and many more such incidents are contributing to this present situation.
We have a history of innumerable scams in India resulting in to inestimable loss to the nation. What makes us so prone to corruption? To answer the question we will have to begin with the beginning. The historical aspect cannot be overlooked. Corruption has been in our blood since time immemorial. No ruler or Govt. has been exceptional in India for corruption. This has been our legacy since Mughal Rule A.D. 1526 onwards. Over the years the word ‘baksheesh’ gained so much reputation that, it has passed into English Dictionary now. Baksheesh (speed money) was to be paid to officials in order to get every small thing done. Thus, the system got in with our system.
It became more firm during British Raj. Robert Clive, who is considered to be the conqueror of India, himself had to face the charges of corruption when he returned to England. The first Governor General, Warren Hastings also met the same fate and had to face impeachment before the House of Commons.
History matters little; it is the present scenario that matters. With the adulation of wealthy, no matter how they earned or acquired that money does not put any social penalty on that individual. Unfortunately, money determines social status today and it is rare for anyone to be caught or penalized for corruption.
The Bofors scandal has contributed most for the promotion of corruption in the recent past. As Rajiv Gandhi himself was involved in the scam that gave way to an attitude: ‘your scam is bigger than mine.’ The large payments were made during this defense deal but no surprise recipients have never been traced. The general perception after this event has been that if one time prime minister can do this, we also follow the example; the ethical or moral obligation was practically lost forever after that.
This Govt., (CONGRESS- a foreign word) has ruled India for more than fifty years now. Govt. that very recently, Lathi charged the peaceful protesters at RAM LEELA MAIDAN at midnight with a police force of more than five thousand men. They had been demanding the black money to be brought back to India. The protesters were attacked and swept away as Congress Ministers felt them to be a threat for Law and order in the capital. The uglier part of all this was yet to come to light, as they were not able to take any decision on the issues raised by Baba. Baba Ram Dev unfortunately beguiled in to hoping some thing that has not been our tradition since Mughal Rule. Ultimately, losing all hopes Baba had to break the hunger strike (fast) in 196 hours. Was it worth doing? His sincerity is unquestionable.
The fate that Baba met with is enough to discourage any fellow citizen to support a cause like anti-corruption campaign, leave apart any idea of leading one. It took him years to master yoga which made him popular in masses of people. Few can still disparage his yogic capabilities and genuineness of techniques, yet his contribution even if he stops here; will stay supreme undeniably. He may not have any qualifications as a yogi; nevertheless, he ignited slumbering Indian souls. I had premonition still I was immensely pleased when I saw not one or two but four ministers to see in Baba Ram Dev at Delhi air port. A lot of good was expected after that. But as things unfolded there was nothing concealed about the intentions of Government.
Who else is going to take the mission further? Corruption varies in its forms that include bribery, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, extortion. This makes the menace even harder to abolish. India is a state of wild political corruption known as a kleptocracy, literally meaning, "rule by thieves". It is posing a serious threat for the safety of a nation.
There is no happy ending of this story so far. And I don’t want to give it one. Feel uneasy; it is a state of unrest citizens.
People are calling it a ‘season of scams’ that ropes in the alleged pilfering of crores by officials in last years CWG in Delhi, nearly $40 billion lost in 2G licenses sale, more than $40 billion stolen by UP Govt. alone from schemes run for welfare of poor and many more such incidents are contributing to this present situation.
We have a history of innumerable scams in India resulting in to inestimable loss to the nation. What makes us so prone to corruption? To answer the question we will have to begin with the beginning. The historical aspect cannot be overlooked. Corruption has been in our blood since time immemorial. No ruler or Govt. has been exceptional in India for corruption. This has been our legacy since Mughal Rule A.D. 1526 onwards. Over the years the word ‘baksheesh’ gained so much reputation that, it has passed into English Dictionary now. Baksheesh (speed money) was to be paid to officials in order to get every small thing done. Thus, the system got in with our system.
It became more firm during British Raj. Robert Clive, who is considered to be the conqueror of India, himself had to face the charges of corruption when he returned to England. The first Governor General, Warren Hastings also met the same fate and had to face impeachment before the House of Commons.
History matters little; it is the present scenario that matters. With the adulation of wealthy, no matter how they earned or acquired that money does not put any social penalty on that individual. Unfortunately, money determines social status today and it is rare for anyone to be caught or penalized for corruption.
The Bofors scandal has contributed most for the promotion of corruption in the recent past. As Rajiv Gandhi himself was involved in the scam that gave way to an attitude: ‘your scam is bigger than mine.’ The large payments were made during this defense deal but no surprise recipients have never been traced. The general perception after this event has been that if one time prime minister can do this, we also follow the example; the ethical or moral obligation was practically lost forever after that.
This Govt., (CONGRESS- a foreign word) has ruled India for more than fifty years now. Govt. that very recently, Lathi charged the peaceful protesters at RAM LEELA MAIDAN at midnight with a police force of more than five thousand men. They had been demanding the black money to be brought back to India. The protesters were attacked and swept away as Congress Ministers felt them to be a threat for Law and order in the capital. The uglier part of all this was yet to come to light, as they were not able to take any decision on the issues raised by Baba. Baba Ram Dev unfortunately beguiled in to hoping some thing that has not been our tradition since Mughal Rule. Ultimately, losing all hopes Baba had to break the hunger strike (fast) in 196 hours. Was it worth doing? His sincerity is unquestionable.
The fate that Baba met with is enough to discourage any fellow citizen to support a cause like anti-corruption campaign, leave apart any idea of leading one. It took him years to master yoga which made him popular in masses of people. Few can still disparage his yogic capabilities and genuineness of techniques, yet his contribution even if he stops here; will stay supreme undeniably. He may not have any qualifications as a yogi; nevertheless, he ignited slumbering Indian souls. I had premonition still I was immensely pleased when I saw not one or two but four ministers to see in Baba Ram Dev at Delhi air port. A lot of good was expected after that. But as things unfolded there was nothing concealed about the intentions of Government.
Who else is going to take the mission further? Corruption varies in its forms that include bribery, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, extortion. This makes the menace even harder to abolish. India is a state of wild political corruption known as a kleptocracy, literally meaning, "rule by thieves". It is posing a serious threat for the safety of a nation.
There is no happy ending of this story so far. And I don’t want to give it one. Feel uneasy; it is a state of unrest citizens.
