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Is it a crime to be honest?



This post is in memory of all those who have paid the highest penalty in the fight against corruption... 

This case was highlighted by CRIME PATROL DASTAK on May 19th, 2012



"Satyendra Kumar Dubey could have chosen to keep quiet, like the majority of young professionals of this country. He could have continued doing his job as a deputy general manager in the Centre’s National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and shut his eyes to the variegated ways in which a prestigious project - Instead Dubey opted to do the right thing by alerting the PMO to these developments because he believed the project was of “unparalleled importance to the nation”. He paid with his life for having done so”  - Indian Express "

Most of us would have chosen to keep quiet in similar circumstances - and that is what makes the courage of people like Mr Dubey awe-inspriring, and exemplary. Yes, his murder did spark countrywide - and even international protest. But why must it always be so? Why must we, the people of India, be reactive rather than proactive? 

In his complaint addressed to the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in confidence, Satyendra Dubey, an IIT Kanpur product working as an engineer in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), pointed out instances of corruption in the project. He also requested anonymity, that his name not be revealed. In complete disregard to the safety of this principled man, the government revealed his name, with the result that he ultimately paid for his life. He could have kept silent, but he didnt. He was a qualified -  a highly qualified engineer, a BTech - MTech from the IIT. He could have opted for a cushy corporate life, which he spurned. Instead, he opted to serve the nation - and paid for his life!

There are any number of cases of whisteblowers being victimised - and even killed. This is basic common sense - how can you reveal the name? Are our politicians concerned with the interest of the whistleblower - and by extension - the interest of the nation? Or are they concerned with self-preservation? In this prevailing atmosphere, little wonder then that people do not speak out in any sphere of life, government or private. We are emasculating our own population! We are teaching them that silence is golden even in the face of oppression! Brilliant, great thinking! 

And we, the people, are silent. 

We have always remained silent - until we scream after the event - this screaming lasts for a few days...

And Then, We The People, Fall Silent Yet Again.

Is it a crime to be honest? There are any number of cases of honest people paying for doing their duty. Why should it be so? What is the lesson that we are giving our children? What kind of India are we bequeathing to our children? What example are we setting our children? 


Corruption is the single largest drain on our resources - and not just in terms of monetary and/or capital resources. We are losing our top people- either to the system (as they get converted to the style of functioning), or to other countries - or even to the jaws of death. In either case, it is a loss to the nation... an irreparable loss....


Jago Sonewaalon...

Comments

  1. bringing such issues is a gr8 initiative sir,,and d only thing i can say that honestu is repaid @ sum point of time no mattr hw much evil prevails around one bt justice is still a winner.Justice is nt only by govt or people or systm bt there is sum1 above all whu knows vry wel hw 2 balance gud or bad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. a gr8 initiative 2 bring such topic on ur blog,Sir.and as far as honesty is concernd ,honesty is always repaid.no mattr how much evil prevail around u bt wen one is honest he is paid back.n its nt only govt,peopl,society juding u dr is sum 1 abov all whu knows hw 2 balance gud n bad.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.Corrupt influence is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder; it loads us more than millions of debt: takes away vigour from our arms, wisdom from our councils and every shadow and authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rightly said - corruption is akin to the acid that eats away at the foundations!

      I wonder how long before the majority of Indians both realise the above and convert
      their thoughts into concrete action?

      Delete

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