Corruption in India v/s Gandhian ANNA- Part 3

This post is No.3 in a 3 part series:

Read Part 1, Part 2.

The Way Ahead (Anna’s Way)

“I want to tell the youth of this country that this fight should not be stopped with Lokpal alone. We have to fight for removing the faults of the present electoral reforms. Because of the fault in electoral system, 150 criminals have reached Parliament.”

– Anna Hazare[1]

 

Anna Hazare, a of 74 years old Indian social activist[2] and former Indian army soldier from Maharashtra has showcased implacability of some valuable principles of non-violence by adopting simplicity of Gandhi to the world following which India can get rid of the repercussions arising out of corruption and its supplements. Widely recognized Anna Hazare has become a youth icon since he sat on 12-day fast in the year 2011 in order to persuade government of India to pass a stringent Lokpal Bill in both houses of parliament.[3] The government could somehow manage to bring a resolution in the parliament on the same to ensure that Anna’s efforts do not go in vain[4]. This success of Anna has brought considerable impact on the mindsets of millions of young Indians who directly or indirectly supported his efforts. He has become the only antonym against all the synonyms of corruption.

Mere generalization of the issue by saying that responsibility of combating corruption lies on all of us will not suffice. Attitude of challenging the wrong will only work. The time is to take some concrete steps in addition to the ways suggested by Anna. Firstly, it should be made compulsory for all the law students to do their final internship with any of the anticorruption body. It will be a win-win situation for both of them as law students will gain valuable experience and at the same time entry of young professionals in these organizations will improve their efficiency resulting in better performance. Secondly, inclusion of law as a compulsory subject at higher secondary level of school can serve the purpose of increasing awareness among the next generation. Thirdly, passing a strong Lok Pal bill can assure a proper and timely punishment to the guilty of taking bribe. Fourthly, there should be an incentive system in place to encourage whistle blowers in an organization. Their identity should be kept confidential and their efforts should be rewarded suitably in monetary terms. Lastly but most importantly, it is to understand that the people involved in corruption are not fools. They are clever enough to take undue advantage of the loopholes of a typical bureaucratic system. Therefore, mapping their brains can help in reducing bottlenecks of such other systems as well. It goes in line with the view which argues that diamond cuts diamond. In parallel, use of modern technology by making most of the processes online, proper utilization of Right to Information Act, active participation of youth in social activities, awareness among the youngsters towards not taking things for granted can act as a catalyst to the reforms.

Conclusion

It is to conclude that corruption itself is not a cause but an effect of indiscipline. The recommendations suggested might not be the only ways to take up the challenge. Anna’s philosophy and principles might not be the ultimate answer to it either. But such experiments are bound to increase the participation of youth in the subject of national interest. Above all, young blood of India can no longer afford to negate the severe consequences of corruption and in particular its own future thereof.

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