Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Sixty-one years of the Republic

[When I was a kid, I used to really look forward to Republic Day. But as I grow older, I increasingly find myself getting depressed every time the day rolls around.] 


Sixty-one years back, the People of India gave to themselves a Constitution, and proclaimed themselves a Republic.

One day back, a senior government official was burnt alive in broad daylight when he tried to alert officials about the pilferage of government property.

Is this the freedom and independence that the people of India fought so hard for? The freedom to steal what can be purchased openly. The independence to offer and accept bribes where things should work without them.

Corruption is the cause of all evil in the country. Remove it, and all problems are solved.

But remove it how?

_____
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

The news article that horrified.

11 comments:

Jan Morrison said...

educate the girls.
educate the girls.
educate the girls.
educate the girls.
educate the girls.............
and this is for EVERY country and for EVERY economic and social ill.

Anonymous said...

Rayna - How sad, isn't it, especially when one considers the hope and joy with which India declared herself to be a republic. There is such potential in every country to provide the best life possible for its people and it is tragic when that potential is wasted because of greed and corruption. How to remove corruption? It starts from birth, I think. But it requires that adults set a model for children, and that requires a commitment and dedication to ethical behaviour. I hope it is a source of pride and comfort to you that you are setting that kind of example for your sons and for all of their friends. You and those like you are the solution and the answer to your question.

Hart Johnson said...

It's so sad. I think Jan has the right idea.

Natasha said...

@ Jan - I couldn't agree more. The more I look around me, the more I am convinced it is only by empowering the Girl Child that there can be any progress

@ Margot - the other day, there was a poll on who people considered were most responsible for corruption. The obvious suspects were all there - politicians, government officials, police, etc, etc. But what was left out was 'we the people, for encouraging it, and allowing them to get away with it'. I guess change will only happen if it happens systemically.
What can we do, except put our foot down where we can and try and convince others.

@ Hart - she does. For sure.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I think all nations face this issue.

Rama Ananth said...

Things are really getting out of anybody's control. We have the most corrupt leaders in our country, and they seem to be very open about it. Not a single party can claim to be honest.
Somehow we find ourselves trapped, and we don't seem to have any solutions.

Mason Canyon said...

Definitely sad and I'm with Jan and Hart.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Rek Sesh said...

Guess it starts from home...we need to stand up for our rights....we need to throw away the chalta hai mindset....we are a Nation that debates endlessly but forget when we turn around the corner and follow the mob...

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We need people to care about more than just power! Although I like Jan's answer, too.

dipali said...

I was terribly upset when I heard about that gruesome murder. I'm sad to say that despite my tremendous love for my country, there is so much about it that is a crying shame.

Natasha said...

@ Alex - in different ways, but I guess greed is at the heart of most evil.

@ Rama - corruption is so institutionalised in the country, it is almost unbelievable. Where can you get soltions, when the system itself is flawed.

@ Mason - absolutely.

@ Rek - it does, for sure. If each of us decided not to be corrupt, I wonder if that would spark off a revolution?

@ Diane - you have nailed it- it is power and greed that is at the heart of it all.

@ dipali - and sadder still that it has been completely forgotten now. Somethings never fail to amaze me- we talk about a celeb wedding for weeks on end, but let things like this be swept under the carpet.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails