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SO far we have been talking about what harm corruption has done to the country and its people. Perhaps it is time to tell the corrupt persons, who have neither the fear of God nor respect for law, what harm corruption has done to themselves. The day a person starts indulging in corrupt practices his self-respect, which is so essential to happiness, becomes the first casualty. Besides, his peace of mind is also sacrificed at the altar of his greed.

To illustrate the point, let us take the example of a man who travels in a train without a ticket. Let us further suppose that he is not detected by anyone, that he goes scot-free at his destination. But does he actually? The answer is, “no”.

During the travel his conscience must have hurt him for indulging in a criminal activity. His heart must have beaten faster at the sight of the railway checking staff. His mind must have remained deeply perturbed at the thought of being detected throughout his journey by train. What a little gain? What a great loss? What is true of a short journey in a train without a ticket is equally true of a corrupt man’s journey of life!

While not denying that money does make its contribution to make life happy, yet it is also true that it is not everything. Money cannot buy health, happiness or the peace of mind. Riches, after all, can give only material comfort to a man; these do not necessarily bring him happiness. A man can remain miserable amidst comfort if he has not earned his money by following honest means.

Mind without heart, intelligence without conduct, cleverness without goodness have dangerous flaws. A corrupt person can never prosper in life. How can a person lacking the peace of mind be called a happy and prosperous person even though he may own millions of rupees?

A man of character is truthful, upright, just and honest in his dealings with others. Of all the human values, truth is uppermost. Socrates took the cup of poison rather than forsake the truth. The fire of truth alone can silence the storms of evil. A man without character is like a house without lamp or a flower without fragrance.

The important point to remember is that to become rich, powerful, or famous may not be in one’s own hands. But to be truthful and righteous is solely in one’s power and also more beneficial. While it is not at all necessary or even desirable for everyone to be rich or powerful, it is absolutely necessary for everyone to be truthful and honest.

The enemy within

We are always more than ready to show our patriotism when faced with external aggression but what about the enemy within? I am referring to the recent frauds in handing out loans that have come to light. Actually, all this has been common knowledge but the conspiracy of silence that has been the hallmark of the Fourth Estate in India which lays more emphasis on which clothes are in vogue rather than highlighting the genuine grievances of common people has played a big role in keeping it under wraps.

We are seeing our own people being robbed not only of their sources of income and driven to economic despair by unscrupulous persons but the fact that common people have been mute spectators and the government an accomplice to it all makes the episode all the more shameful. We need to remind ourselves that power corrupts, it always has and it always will. So it is people like us who need to keep these hyenas at bay who prey at the dead bodies of their own people. The war of good against evil has continued throughout human history and it will. The question is on whose side are we going to be? What is needed are more citizen bodies, of course along with media and responsible newspapers like yours, who keep watchful eyes on deeds, or rather misdeeds, of the scum-bags that rule us.

TEJINDER BRAR
Ohio (USA)

The country is passing through a state of collective euphoria. The National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP has managed to convey to the gullible masses that the Kargil episode was a victory of the ruling alliance led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. The propaganda cell of the party has done a truly wonderful job of sweeping under the carpet the precious lives of Indian soldiers lost during the crisis. It is time the intellectuals and thinkers of this country started asking this question whether Kargil is at all a victory or a case of intelligence failure.

Why are the people of this country being misguided about the Kargil issue. The Kargil issue may be summarised by saying that it is like falling into a well during the day-time which could have been easily identified during the dead of night. There is nothing to boast of if one is able to come out of the well.

Now that it has been quoted by an IG of the BSF that 1200 intruders have already occupied the high reaches on our side of the LoC in Kupwara and Baramula sectors, are we again waiting for a great victory for our nation at the cost of sacrificing a few hundred lives of our valiant soldiers? Will the government answer the question?

The decision of banning the use of mobile phones while driving a motor vehicle by the Delhi government is a welcome step towards reducing the rate of road accidents.

Now, under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, those found talking on mobile phones while driving will attract a fine of Rs 1000 or six months’ imprisonment.

The use of mobile phones while driving in the United Kingdom and several other countries has also been prohibited.

Owing to the increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the Administration should follow the Delhi example and impose a ban on the use of mobile phones during driving.

	M A I L B A G	Monday, August 16, 1999
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