Corruption.... the evil virus in society

[S.Balaji]

Corruption is a word … unfortunately has become part and parcel of our day to day life..

To get a berth in Train…

To get some document registered with Govt…

To buy essentials in Ration shops….

To get some certificates from Govt Dept

To get your sales tax / income tax assessments complete…..

The list is endless…

The unofficial data on the bribes being paid is astronomical….

I know its being debated in forums and then conveniently forgotten for pracitical reasons….

When are we going to think seriously about this crime and what the younger generation thinks about it….

Are we going to live with it…

Shall we discuss please…..

[Rohit]

Dear S.Balaji,

Corruption! One really wonders, is it moral or intellectual?

You have started a right topic on the right subject that rightly goes in digging the root cause of over a 1000 years of Indian slavery, lack of intellectual, cognitive and socio-economic development of the entire Indian society in general. The result was and it still is, an utterly destitute and miserable Indian mass that spreads all across the Indian nation, leaving only isolated pockets of growth that an Indian can hope to flaunt about.

Good topic indeed! I shall try posting whenever time permits me to do so.

Thank you!

[stranger]

Sick and tired of corruption???

Could not do much about it but you hate it???

Get yourself "deported" (immigrated) to a western country. You can live 100% corruption-free if you choose to be a white-collar employee.

You don’t have to deal with "caste discrimination" or "reverse caste discrimination" either. You don’t have to bitch about "minority quota" or "untouchability" either.

But there is a "price you need to pay for it" besides the general accusation from the “patriots” that you being "less patriotic" than people those who love to live in corruption and being part of it. You will know it sooner or later. Nothing is free in this world.

[gaddeswarup]

From: Perkovich, George. "The Measure of India: what makes greatness?" Occasional Paper No. 19, Sixth Annual Fellows' Lecture, April 23, 2003. [PDF](http://www.sas.upenn.edu/casi/public...s_chrono_1.htm):
"Corruption may help explain the fact that India’s recently sound rate of growth has not produced a commensurate reduction in poverty. Whereas GDP has grown by 6% from 1992-93, the rate of poverty alleviation has been only a bit over 1% per year. Accounting for population growth of 1.8%, the rate of poverty alleviation still lags significantly behind the rate of growth. In other words, economic growth does not automatically or magically reduce poverty."
A more recent similar account:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/29/news/corrupt.php
"The poor not only are paying much more of their incomes to get the same medical services as the middle and richer classes, but they are also discouraged from seeking basic medical care because they can't afford it," said Daniel Kaufmann, director of global programs at the institute.
*
When low-level officials pick the pockets of the poor, it is also often a reliable indicator of greater corruption higher up the bureaucratic and political hierarchy.
*
Here in Bangalore, a city of 6.5 million known for its booming high-technology industry, pleasant climate and good private schools, local health managers commonly pay bribes to senior bureaucrats or elected officials to get good jobs, say investigators, civic leaders and senior civil servants. The health professionals then exact payments from subordinates and patients.
*
"Most of the district health officers have to pay bribes to get promotions and postings, and they in turn collect."

[lordstanher]

Most ppl. think corruption is only in the form of monetary demands but it need not always be so......when it comes to women in our country, they r even worse sufferers.....I recently read yet another article abt violence against women in our local paper last weekend......it mentioned that in sum Govt. offices (in AP), it has become common to sexually harass women employees.......it said that a woman working there who wants a promotion or transfer has to fulfill her boss' "requests" for sexual favours!
'think tats the main reason y in govt. offices u usually find women employees working in low positions even until they retire!
I'm pointing this out bcos this is also a form of corruption, even if not in terms of monetary gains! Ppl. who dismiss u for ranting abt corruption don't realise this, they think tat it only means letting sum money slip off ur hands!
And unftly the victims wud rather sucumb to it than taking action against it as our "justice" system is so transparent! Having an "anti-corruption bureau" is only for namesake in most cases. Wat they shud do is conduct random checks on govt. offices which r plagued the most by this disease, so they cud catch concerned corrupt officials red-handed! rather than just letting u know tat there is such a bureau, as tat provides little assurance!

[S.Balaji]

Stanner,

Sad to hear that in Govt offices, women are being used as a tool to satisfy their pleasures....
You are absolutely right.. Even this is also another corruption as well...

Your suggestion about Anticorruption bureau is welcome one.... but it will bear fruit only if the governing agency is independant of political interference...

[gaddeswarup]

I do not believe that Indians are inherently corrupt. It may just that we cannot afford the amount of corruption we have where as USA can afford corruption at some levels ( remember Enron, Worldcom and the story of two journalists who travelled from coast to coast in USA with a fake car problem trying to check how many garage mechanics were honest). The question is what can be done about it.
India seems to be be doing well in terms of NPOs (Non Profit Organizations). According to an article in EPW (some time in May this year), there are about 1.2 million NPOs with about 19 million people working for them. There are many religious organizations among them but there are also quite a few working on social and lealth problems. Many of them generate half of their income and the rest comes from the Govt. and donations. Some like AID India, ASHA, Lok Satta hve support both inside and outside India. There are also rumours about political affiliations and other agendas for some organizations. Some Indians feel that NPOs are taking people away from political struggles and it is well known that USA organized NGOs in various countries from political purposes. But my mpression is that some of the organizations are doing good work and Lok satta is particularly concerned about corruption. Several other names came up during the Tsunami relief efforts. One suggestion I have is to look for one of these organizations in your area, where you can get some feedback and monitor their efforts, and if the feed back is positive then support the organization. May that can bring some change.
Swarup

[S.Balaji]

Gaddeswarup,

Correct. In USA, infact there were spate of corporate scandals and mal practices ( ofcourse in private sector ) which led to a serious thinking by the US Fedeeral Authorities. They were so concerned and immediately took corrective steps … Now there is an Act itself… with guidelines … SURBANES OXLEY … This is to discipline Corporates on frauds and malpractices….
Yes , corruption is at large in US as well but as you said….as they can afford to…. The magnitude is not being felt.