"But more important than venting about the two-faced nature of some organisations or blaming Gadkari and a few other politicians is understanding why all political parties back their corrupt members despite massive allegations and enough circumstantial evidence. The answer lies in the way Indians think. While it is easy to blame politicians, the fact remains that our politicians are not ethical because we aren't ethical.
The simple, bitter truth is that the electorate just doesn't care much about financial impropriety. Sure, we bicker, moan and fuss about politicians looting us. However, it is not that high up in the hierarchy of wrongs a politician could commit. A moderate amount of corruption is almost expected and accepted. It is only when graft is done in an obvious, large-scale and arrogant manner that Indians get somewhat upset — and that too for a short period of time.
Until we, as a society, really feel graft, unethical behaviour and nepotism are huge problems and start to truly care about all of it, politicians will not change"
Spot On, Chetan! Well Said indeed! As stated earlier on my blog, as well as on several other blogs and anti-corruption platforms, the real problem lies within us. Corruption is a reality in India simply by virtue of our acceptance of and tacit as well as overt participation in corrupt practices. It takes 2 parties to any suspect transaction: the bribe taker, and the bribe giver. The bribe-taker is emboldened by the reality and the simplicity of coercing a willing person, thus generating a bribe. This is a hard truth, and is it very heartening to see this being highlighted in mainstream media.
This is a massive social problem, and requires a movement for social change. It is a foregone conclusion that any agenda for social change cannot be taken forward without adequate support from the media, and the attendant high-decibel coverage. This is a needed contribution, and it is very, very heartening to see the media also showing the willingness and the courage to take this forward. Now I wish more such coverage can happen - not on individual blogs like Chetan Bhagat, but on mainstream articles, editors opinions etc. This will not solve the problem; but it will generate awareness... perhaps we, too, can contribute by concentrating on the family, and advocate teaching the child the proper lessons during the critical ages of 1 - 10. If there is this focus on giving the children proper values, perhaps this endemic scourge can be eradicated within a generation... tall hopes, I know. But I cant help but feel optimistic with the advent of this ever-increasing focus on all aspects of corruption. We have to make corruption socially unacceptable; this means driving the point home to children. It also means changing our own long-held attitudes towards and acceptance of bribes as a way of life in India. It is we, the people of India, who need to change...
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