Dividing the society is not good

While trying to promote the interests of a particular section of the society, governments, non-governmental organisations and international organisations like UN, are unknowingly creating a divide between
i.men and women
ii.young and old
iii.employers and employees,
iv.farmers and businessmen
v.producers and traders
vi.small land owners and large land owners
vii. rich and the poor
viii.forward communities and backward communities
ix. small industry and large industry
x.consumers and suppliers

The promotions which the governments etc. organisations tried, have mostly robbed the unity and happiness of the society to some extent. The unit of the society is family and not individuals. A family has men, women, old people and young people. So the family should not be divided along the lines of gender or age. A society needs farmers, businessmen, rich people, small industry, large industry, consumers, suppliers etc. and the interests of all the people should be promoted. It may be argued that poor people need protection and support whereas the rich do not need. Hence one has to divide the society into rich and poor people. But the rich people also need to become richer to provide jobs to larger number of people, to provide higher wages and benefits to existing employees etc.Producers need traders to distribute their products. Traders need producers to produce goods for them to distribute. Thus the people are inter dependent. They need each other. It is therefore necessary not to talk in terms of men, women, young, old, rich, poor etc.

Elimination of corruption- Need to change rules, regulations, procedures

Being part of the society, the political and bureaucratic functionaries have the same level of honesty, integrity, efficiency, devotion to duty etc. as the common people of the society. The common person in general is honest only because he/she has no opportunity to be corrupt. When he/she has the opportunity to be corrupt, he will almost definitely extract bribes by any way. The example is the opportunity for the common people to vote, for which bribe is reported to be demanded/accepted. So, if the corruption in government is to be eliminated, the society should first be made honest. But this is not easy.

But corruption cannot be allowed to be continued. The situation of absence of corruption can be achieved only by eliminating apportunities for corruption. For this, there is need to amend the rules and procedures. For example, in all the cases, single window system should be adopted. This means, the applicants for licences, approvals etc. need to apply only to one authority. This authority should seek “no objection certificates” from others wherever necessary. Again the denials/delays in extending services should be explained by the concerned authorities to their seniors and to the applicants or their nominees. All communications between he authorities and the applicants should be through mail/email so that the chances of authorities asking bribe from applicants are eliminated/reduced. Government should also in most cases accerpt affidavits and undertakings from applicants instead of asking for proofs and certificates from various other authorities.

The system of rewarding employees in a routine manner should be replaced with merit system. No employee should be given increments and promotions unless he does good work and is honest. Promotions should not be on the bassis of seniority but on the considerations of merit and honesty.

If the above changes are made in the rules and procedures, corruiption can be eliminated to a large extent.

ERADICATION OF CORRUPTION

Being part of the larger society, the political and bureaucratic functionaries have the same level of honesty and integrity as the common people of the society. However, as those in Government service have opportunities to extract bribe, by delaying and/or denying something or by extending undue favours there is need for them i.e. those in government service to be mare honest. They should also be more hard working and committed to the people than the rest of the society.

There were reports in newspapers that in a developed country, Prime Ministers have resigned on allegations of corruption. Even the Governor of the Central Bank of that country resigned on allegations against senior official of the Bank. There were stories in newspapers of every government in another developed country making efforts to eradicate corruption among government officials and teachers but the practice of bribing continuing to exist. In another country admission in kindergarten schools is reported to be secured by paying bribes. These countries have developed phenomenally and in some cases in spite of paucity of raw materials and occurrence natural calamities. So, governments have to take up a large number of large scale projects.

Corruption has hampered the economic development of the country but corruption is not the sole cause of economic development of any country. So eradication of corruption cannot be a one point programme of any government though there is need to eradicate the same. It should only be one of the several issues to be tackled.

The intelligentsia and social activists should also devote attention on reforming the society. Values like honesty, hard work, self-respect (declining avoidable assistance from any quarter), devotion to duty, patriotism, fear of God etc. should be inculcated in the minds of the people from childhood.

In countries like India, by constantly talking about corruption, (sometimes exaggeration), the Press and the Intelligentsia, in spite of very good intentions, have contributed to the prevalence and spreading of corruption. People have come to conclude that bribing is unavoidable and has accepted bribing as a necessity. The same is the case with social evils like drug addiction, violence, etc. It is better to avoid disproportionate publicity to any issue.

More kurals

When you think of gain, think also of others’ loss
Then in society prevail harmony and peace

Greatest of abilities is to reform the mean
And make him on virtues keen

Good to be grateful, better is to make effort
To live without seeking others’ support

The Second Set of Kurals

For achievements only low and weak
Short cuts and wrong means seek

Good are those who share what they earn
Better are those who make others earning learn

Society that does ill treat or pamper
Minority will find both progress hamper

Mean are those who are liberal
In asking but in giving are frugal