Thirukkural on Corruption

Thirukkural on Corruption

Thiruvalluvar says- 
A person  who had conquered  his sense and remain  without any crime in mind   , even  if he is in poverty , will not aspire for other's property.(  Kural 174 )

இலமென்று வெஃகுதல் செய்யார் புலம்வென்ற
புன்மையில் காட்சி யவர். (174)
வெஃகுதல்=  Illegally and immorally aspiring for other's wealth  or  in short , corruption
 In simple words,  "People who have controlled their desires , even if they are in  utter poverty, will not involve in the  acquiring other's property ( corruption )."

Using the  political powers and purchasing others property for a bottom price is a corruption.

Using the  administrative powers and getting  a huge commission in a deal is a corruption.

Using the social powers and grabbing the lands of the poor is a corruption.

Using the religious powers and keeping the devotees in ignorance  is a corruption.

Using the police powers and eliminating an individual in a fake encounter is a corruption.

Using the Muscle power and threatening the traders and collecting mamuls is a corruption.

Using the Government funds to donate to the sacred places and praying for divine protection is a corruption.

But , to-day the corruption is justfied in many ways.

Politicians say , " when we had spent crores during the election, why not  earn ?"Thir

Doctors say, " when we had given more than a crore for a MD seat, why not  earn ?"

Police inspectors say, " when we  had paid  in lakhs to get a particular station, why not earn? "

Vice- Chancellors say," when we pay in crores to occupy this seat, why not  earn ?"

Corporate companies say, " when we had donated in crores to the political parties, why not earn ?

Every corrupted person has many reasons to justify.

Corruption is leukemia of our  country , corrupt cells flow from ' head to toes ',  the entire  cells should be replaced. 

"When  and How"  is a big question.

Lokpal bill may give an initial push, but there will be a terrific long journey before the birth of a corruption free India .

The journey may extend to years, we should not expect  instant remedies. Miracles can not be done.

Political corruption had contaminated the entire government machinery, which needs years to clean.

There cannot be a corruption without the nexus of politicians and bureaucrats ( IAS, IPS ).

They are the conjoined twins, their selfish combination is the basis for all types of  scandals.

Our ' Bureaucracy '  needs many radical changes.

It is very unfortunate that the corruption had become an extra constitutional growth in India.

It  is deep rooted and developed painful corns on the Nation's feet, making it to limp.

In 1982  Singapore Lokpal Bill was implemented, being a small country the result was very  fast.

To-day , Singapore is almost a corruption free country, we can not expect this miracle in India.

In Karnataka, the Lokayutha is functioning without strong teeth but done some wonders.

In spite its broken teeth, the chief minister was brought down and many corruption cases were filed against him.

Another powerful Ex. minister along  with his son is in jail (2011).

( Imprisoned politicians settling  in hospitals with the help of doctors is another corruption.)

One former CM and his wife have been issued summons to appear before the Lokayakta Court.

Lokayukta had done all these wonders using its limited powers.

Punjab Lokayukta had ordered probe against the state CM and former SGPC for alleged misuse of land ( 2011).

Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta started its probe into the IAS couples alleged amassing wealth (  2011).

Out of 28 Indian states, only 17 states are having Lokayukta agency. TN is not having.

Lokyukta is another name to Ombudsman. ( Om- buds- man =A man who investigates complaints). 

Ombudsman is very powerful in France since 1973.

If a common man complaints against a government official, investigations will  start immediately .

Imagine a powerful Lokayukta in every state and a strong Lokpal at the centre, wonders can be done.

But it will take years. Revolution against corruption has many miles to go and many hurdles to jump.

For  common people, the corruption is the bribery at RTO office, Ration office, Municipal office, Registrar office, etc

I approached a RTO broker to get a car driving licence for one my relatives, he quoted different rates for different categories, 

with SSLC pass certificate , without SSLC pass , without driving learnt , with driving learnt , etc.

I was told,  if money is sent to some agents in some states, driving licences are sent by post.

Kamal Hassan acted movie " Indian ", exposed the corruptions in the RTOffices , there is no microscopic change till the day.

It should be remembered that the Lokpal bill cannot easily  eradicate the omnipresent corruption.

To destroy the omnipresent corruption, an omnipotent bill should be passed. Will it be possible ?

People's mind set should also to be changed. Some feel corruption is a necessary evil, for them corruption helps to get the work done quickly.

Here in Bangalore, many vegetable sellers are from near by TN. I asked a vegetable vendor, " Why you people are changing the government once in five years? " 

I expected that he would say, " to teach politicians a lesson " but he said, " all are looters, why the same fellows should  loot continuously, let one group loot this time,  another next time." 

( I met one gypsy =குருவிக்காரன், He told me that the gypsies have voting rights and all of them had sold each vote for Rs 2000 in TN election.)

Thiruvalluvar says in the kural 179,
For wise people who do not covet others treasure,
Fortune  will arrive according to their ability. (179)

அறனறிந்து வெஃகா அறிவுடையார்ச் சேருந்
திறனறிந் தாங்கே திரு. ( 179)

திரு.= Fortune,            Covet = wrongful desire 


In the Kural 171 he says that corruption or covetousness will bring disgrace to the person and his family. 

In the year 2007 in Japan its agricultural minister Matsuoka (62) was caught having involved in a scandal. Unable to withstand the disgrace, he committed suicide.

Syrian senior minister Ghazi committed suicide ( 2005 ) when caught in the murder of Lebanese PM.

Thiruvalluvar warns that the corruption will destroy ones own family by leading to commit many more corruptions.

Recently when many of the corrupted politician were imprisoned, their families members wept in the judicial courts.

Some of their  ' kith and kin '  houses were raided bringing a total disgrace to them, many went absconding.

Families scattered, some of them escaped to foreign countries. What Thiruvalluvar postulated had become true. Corruption brought disgrace to the fam ily.

Kural 171 says,

If a person covets others belongings ,

he will bring disgrace to the family and fall into unlimited errors.

Covet = desire to possess in an unjust manner others/ Governments wealth, land , etc 

Covetousness  is nothing but a corruption.

நடுவு இன்றி நன் பொருள் வெஃகின்  குடிபொன்றிக்

குற்றமும் ஆங்கே தரும்.( 171 )

நடுவு இன்றி = in an unjust manner. வெஃகின்  = greed = பேராசை ( the word வெஃகின் is  rarely used in Tamil )

The greed to obtain others belongings by illegitimate means  will bring disgrace, Compel to commit many errors and destroy the family.

===========================================================

FOR THE USE OF STUDENTS.

Bribery is not the only  corruption.
The following acts are also corruption.

Extortion ( illegal use of power to amass others properties)

Cronyism ( favouring close friends)

Nepotism ( favouring close relatives)

Cartel (collectively controlling the market price for their benefits )

Selling expired date products.

Booth capturing in an election.

Evading tax payment.

Receiving disproportional commissions. 

Misusing Government funds and many more.