Corrupted – U Me aur Hum

Preparations are all over the place for the “hyped” CWG 2010. Delhi-ites beared it all through. Long jams, traffic woes, constructions to inflation.. all for this “noble cause”. Barely 50 odd days before this grand event we hear the music of corruption at every level. All Newspapers, news channels are playing it loud! Now, it pains us hard.

Then I heard this comment : “As Indians, corruption is our second nature“. This made me wear my thinking hat. Is it the “Indian ness” really? I beg to dis agree.

I connote it as human attribute. An Indian is not equivalent to a corrupted individual and vice versa. We can find a lot of honest people who are Indians and many corrupted foreign nationals too. Calling it an Indian attribute is mere ignorance.

We, are the educated Indians. Didn’t we ever “bribe” to get our things done?  If your answer is NO then wait.. you are my Idol !

All over the news channels and our dinner tables, we loathe our politicians. They are at a place where they are answerable to the whole nation. So any misdeed gets full media coverage. And our misdeeds? The illegal construction you just got done in your house? That tampered electricity meter you use to avoid heavy bills? I am sure, each one of us must have had a hard time dealing with a government official. And in case you disagree, then you are one blessed soul! Rest of the unlucky souls know that passing some cash eases the pain. Since these things do not come out in public to the whole nation, we still remain the “educated” Indians.

The time of sitting and blaming our system is gone. The change will not be brought to us. “Each one, teach one” needs to be the mantra. Either next time wear your seat belt or pay your fine. But don’t push “some cash” in his pocket  for an easy escape.

If you see your whole house dirty, you wont sit back and let it get dirty further. Because it directly hurts you. Similarly you cannot sit back with the pretension that the whole ecosystem is dirty and nothing can be done about it. If cleaning it is a herculean task then the least you can do is not add to that pile of dirt.

Another interesting “feature” I see in individuals is the blatant ability to point a finger when you too are sailing in the same boat. You like to see people on time for a gathering? Great! please be on time, the next time. It is very important to deserve respect than to command it. Did we really respect that teacher in school who used to command cleanliness but was lousiest of the lot! Its out in open- we didn’t.

The point is, before you really think of  pointing a finger, check if you do it too. If you do, stop it now! And then either complain or do something constructive.

If you expect a change, let the change be you!