Why Should Indians Be Proud of Their Track-record of Corruption?

There are some very valid comments raised by Dr. Awdhesh Singh. I am concerned only because it may lead to complacency while dealing with the seriousness of the problem.

I have always felt that if the Chairman of ITC could get a salary in excess of 10 crores per annum, the Prime Minister, who handles a far greater responsibility should get at least twice that much. It is the only way to enthuse honest citizens to enter politics.

The frustrations of common people and their acceptance of the inevitability of corruption has been brought out by Mr. Gururaj in his rejoinder. This is dangerous, because middle class morality is being seriously eroded when we teach our children how to cope with the world around us. I say middle class morality because as Bernard Shaw said, the rich have no need for it and the poor cannot afford it.

Key solutions would lie in increased technological processes, strengthening of the law enforcement machinery (read police and the like), globalisation and reduction in controls.

But to merely say that prosperity brings honesty may not be right at all. Moral values once degraded are very difficult to rebuild.

Suresh Dorbala

Suresh Dorbala 30/12/2014