Switch to any news channel or turn a page of any newspaper and you will notice one thing. Put a few heads together anywhere and this is what anyone and everyone is discussing – The “Lokpal” bill and the “Anna Hazare” movement: The Crusade against Corruption in India.
Let’s assume the “Jan Lokpal” bill is passed just the way it is being requested, what next?
We will have another “Lokayukta” office created with just as many suspicious authorities. Does anyone remember Anti Corruption Bureau? Whatever happened to that? What do you do to keep these departments in check? Will we be able to trust them? Why are we fighting for another bill or law when we have enough that are not just being implemented / followed? This is like adding another layer to the existing mess.
How can I miss an opportunity this Historic? As many claim, this is an opportunity for our generation to make a difference. Overzealous people have also called this the “2nd Freedom Struggle”. Considering my thought process, how am I not involved yet?
It did not take more than a moment to realize that I can’t seem to connect with this crusade.
The introspection beyond this point brings out one simple fact.The entire crusade is akin to scratching the surface alone.
Let’s assume the “Jan Lokpal” bill is passed just the way it is being requested, what next?
We will have another “Lokayukta” office created with just as many suspicious authorities. Does anyone remember Anti Corruption Bureau? Whatever happened to that? What do you do to keep these departments in check? Will we be able to trust them? Why are we fighting for another bill or law when we have enough that are not just being implemented / followed? This is like adding another layer to the existing mess.
Why is this not handled at the grass-root level? And when I’m asking this question, I’m not passing the buck OR expecting someone else to take a lead.
This momentum should ideally be channelized towards correction at an individual level.
We as individuals should ensure WE do not bribe anyone rather than expecting the others to NOT accept. That’s pretty much like expecting zero gravity.We should not bribe the traffic cop when we jump a signal or ride without a helmet, even better if we do not commit such petty mistakes to begin with. After all these rules are for our safety.
We should not jump the queue by paying special fees – be it in religious places OR any other administrative office.
The core issue is “Corruption”. By booking a few corrupt people, this issue is not going to get resolved. I’m not being pessimistic in my view. But I’m saying the perspective or the dimension we are now looking at is incorrect. Or for that matter, low priority if I may say so.
Top priority is for internal cleansing to be done, so that the necessity of a 2nd or a 3rd freedom struggle at our generation OR the next generation will not arise at all.
The only downside I see to this is no one can yield any political mileage from a struggle like this.
After all, the struggle is within.
I was feeling similar thoughts. Having visited India twice in last few months, I was slightly displaced from my comfort zone doing things that were totally pragmatic 10 years ago. You are right when you say that until we "fast" and detoxify our own personal demons we cannot feel connected to Anna but on the other hand maybe by joining his movement we might get that extra edge to do exactly that. If not start scratching the surface now, then when?
ReplyDeleteSriks, Very well put across and to be frank even am not connecting to this whole crusade though appreciate people raising their voice against corruption. Yes, as you mentioned above core issue is corruption and not sure if people calling themselves "I am Anna" actually justifies to this whole concept. Well while appreciating it from the bottom of my heart I see a person getting bigger then a system and common people whereas the idea should be how to deal with it. Totally agree with what you mentioned over refraining ourselves from bribing and ensuring it is not accepted either around us. Believe we see millions of crusaders on the road aren't because they understand Lokpal bill but the simply they are tired and pissed on how our system is been spewed with venom of corruption. Now the question is “are we ready to take that step to refrain ourselves from bribing”. We bribe because either we are wrong or the person accepting it and this is the ground zero stuff for the any common man. Even if Lokpal bill is passed and we have a ombudsman in place to ensure there is no corruption in any of the activities of government or otherwise, for me that is too much to ask for unless we change the system and be the ombudsman of our own activities in your day today life. Regards, Abhu
ReplyDeleteSirks, to some extent i agree with you. But bribing the cops or giving bribe to officials for getting your work done fast are very small things. its a matter of civic sense(which we people hardly have.)
ReplyDeleteBut what this lokpal bill will do is bringing all anti corruption unit under one roof for stopping and preventing corruption. Read the lokpal bill that aana's Team wants to be passed.
What government does is that they always leave a loophole in every law they make or they dont give enough powers to the agencies that are meant to prevent or punish the culprits.
Thats the reason anti corruption buereau or C.B.I has no effect. This Agencies are their puppets.
Read the differnce between governments lokpal vs Anna's Lokpal @ www.kiranbedi.com.
Who likes to pay taxes. If we have a way we will certainly use it to avoid tax. Internal cleansing cant be done without strict rules and regulations.
i would second my thoughts with Sriks.... what India needs is better implementation of existing laws... not new laws... Sriks... just a pointer... whilst we sure can ensure that we break no law... but getting work done at Govt offices without an agent is like walking onto fire and "hoping" you would not burn... if corruption has to be eradicated... then we need a simple easier access to public services.. and not the mundane forms and complex process that exist today... these have been kept complex to encourage corruption.
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