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Let’s change our mindset to check graft

It is commendable that H.K. Dua has drawn the attention of the citizens and the leaders of public policy to the urgent need for eliminating the cancer of corruption from our body politic (Front-page editorial, “The stink of corruption”, April 29). There is need for a multi-pronged approach at various levels. The following approach could help create a mindset for that effort.

Before Independence, we used to take a pledge to get rid of foreign rule. In due course, through efforts and sacrifices, we succeeded. Similarly, we can arrange functions on Republic Day and Independence Day where an item in the programme would be to take a voluntary pledge which, in essence, would be neither to receive nor give any bribes.

When we garland Mother India’s photo, we should remind the people that for anyone taking or giving bribe would tantamount to putting a blot on the dress of Mother India. Mass campaigns by the media and initiatives by public bodies will help raise consciousness about corruption and cure ourselves of this cancer.

Dr AMARJIT SINGH, Claremont Drive, Morgan Hill (USA)

II

Frankly speaking, we are not living in a democracy but in an age of kleptocracy. The list published by The Tribune of Punjab’s tainted IAS and IPS officers is not exhaustive; there would be many more against whom no cases were initiated. Yet, the number of honest IAS and IPS officers is fast dwindling.

Tainted politicians and bureaucrats are exploiting the poor. The country is flooded with scams. The only solution is to reform our electoral system and fix accountability on all — from top to bottom in the country.

Capt. S. K. DATTA, Abohar

III

Mr Dua is right that all the departments of the Centre and the states are reeking with corruption. In fact, all walks of life including the Press are besmeared with large stains of graft and chicanery. Earlier, slush money changed hands at the lowest rungs of the bureaucracy. Now it is an accepted part of trappings of the big posts.

Politics is no more a means of serving the people but a sure way of making fast buck. There is, however, a ray of hope. Some persons, though in minuscule minority, are standing up for principles. They can clean the Augean stables if they organise themselves to take on the dishonest. The media should vigorously campaign against corruption.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

IV

Sadly, no institution is free from corruption. The judiciary too is afflicted with this menace. Successive governments at the Centre and in the states have done little to check corruption. Why are there no foolproof laws to contain graft?

Instead of making the CBI a constitutional body, the Centre has been using it as its handmaiden. Having seen all this, one is constrained to ask whether we are living in a democracy or kakistocracy (government by the worst). Utter despondency has taken hold of the nation.

Maj NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Mohali

V

The delay in bringing to book the culprits of major scandals of fodder purchase in Bihar, the Taj Corridor project, the Telgi stamp scam and many others encourage the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to siphon off people’s money with impunity.

Sacrifice, justice, righteousness and honest service have lost their value and degenerated into a business. Rampant corruption has made the life of poor people miserable. Honest leaders like Dr Manmohan Singh should sit with dedicated politicians and bureaucrats to find a permanent cure of the prevailing ailment to save the country from the rapacious tendencies of the corrupt.

R. S. HAMDARD, Hamirpur

VI

The reference to the judiciary in the front-page editorial speaks poorly of the people’s “last hope”. All the three wings of the state — the legislature, the executive and the judiciary — are neck-deep in corruption. One is not sure who is outdoing the other.

Mr Dua has overlooked the defence forces, the latest entrant to the game of corruption. The Army is trying to refurbish its image by dishing out quick justice without realising that the process has its own flaws. While justice delayed is justice denied, justice hurried is justice buried.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

VII

Corruption has created a bond between the law enforcers and the law breakers and the common man is feeling cheated and disenchanted with the feeble governance. When public servants develop rickety knees for devious reasons, the governance tends to crumble. Let us learn from China, Israel and even Arab countries where corruption is negligible.

An infallible system has to be evolved to stem the rot and corrosion caused by corruption.

KARNAIL SINGH, Sunny Enclave (Kharar)

Limits of sycophancy Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh have said that it is the right time for Mr Rahul Gandhi to be made the Prime Minister. Though they are senior leaders, they have not left flattery. These leaders ought to know that every word they utter reaches the nooks and corners of the country. In this respect, I appreciate Mrs Sonia Gandhi for having opposed sycophancy in the Congress very boldly. R.K. BINDLISH, Kaithal