The Indian contradiction: most spiritual and most corrupt
The evolving drama around the 2G spectrum scam and the ever increasing scams that are erupting everyday vindicate Transparency International’s report labeling India as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Our peer group of most corrupt countries includes Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Cambodia. Interestingly, no other SAARC country figures in the top 10 of this list.
Ironically, India is also a country which is considered philosophically and spiritually the most advanced.
Indian people are also known for their tolerance. This tolerance is extended to accepting corruption as a way of life. Transparency International states that 54% of Indians surveyed had paid a bribe in the last 12 months. Those with some understanding of research and India may smile at the figure of 54% – it sounds like an understatement.
The media reportage and the debates also point out one sad aspect – there is hardly an institution that an Indian citizen can today look up to. All the four estates seem to be embroiled in corruption and controversy.
MADAN BAHAL
December 15th, 2010 at 11:49 am
You are right while saying that there is no institution in India that an Indian citizen can look up to. The media, which was considered as the fourth estate of our democracy have been brought down by today’s best but corrupt journalists. This scam has actually brought to the fore the rot in the Indian media and this time the rot encircles some of India’s most iconic names. Will this trail of corruption ever end or we continue to accept it as a way of life in India? Probably even this scam will become one of the morality tale of our times, not just of corruption but of crony capitalism, of what India ultimately stands for?