Post News Network, Bhubaneswar April 23: “Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority,” declares the website of Transparency International, an independent and politically non-partisan global institution, which fights against corruption in public life. Orissa, among all Indian states, as per newspaper reports, is perhaps the first to make public the names of people, government officials and others, facing corruption cases. On April 2, 2012 the state government posted online a list of persons facing graft cases. Keeping this in mind Orissa Post, approximately three years after the first ever online publication of such a list, went around the town talking to young people of the city and persons, in charge of shaping the minds of these young men and women. Excerpts:
“Corruption is like a virus that flows through the human vein. Once affected, it’s very difficult to get away from it. It is necessary to find out the root cause of its existence in society and among us and it needs to be cast away. This will take place only when the people of the country will come forward voluntarily and work in order to stop it at any cost. That would be like … a great revolution. However, it takes time to free the country of corruption; but I believe it is going to happen very soon.”
Santosh Kumar Kuldeep, employee, Contify, a private organisation.
“Many state governments like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have already launched (anti-corruption) pages on Facebook where numerous users have commented as also liked it. Besides, people are posting pictures taken by them while someone had been taking a bribe or indulging in some other kinds of corrupt practices. I believe, our state also should take such an initiative in order to stop corruption. I, in fact, had to pay money while collecting my 10th class board certificates. Those instances, I believe, prove that society is decaying.”
Sunil Kumar Mohapatra, student, Madhusudan Institute for Co-operative Management
“Sometimes I feel like punching a person who takes bribes. Our nation must be freed from corruption. Earlier, when I was called for an interview after qualifying all tests, the staff who was conducting it asked me to pay him Rs 2 lakhs for the job. It was really insane. We, the young people have to step out to prevent such incidents. I know it is not possible to root out corruption overnight but, we will have to try.”
Sabir Silo Patra, student, Maharshi College
“My father is an honest man. He always teaches me to follow the right path even if I have to walk alone. Corruption, I think, has an unshakable grip on our lives. Some of the government employees, even the peons wouldn’t work without taking any money. I have had many such experiences in my life. It is time to raise our voice by walking shoulder to shoulder with like-minded people in order to bring the level of corruption down. There should be exemplary punishment for taking or offering bribes in offices or at any other places.”
Parthavi Sethy, student, Capital Law College
“Corruption has had its existence since the beginning (of the society). It can be uprooted only if we strongly refuse to indulge in it. We have been advising our students to raise their voices against corruption during certain meets or in class. They are the future of the country; the next generation will have a better future if they are sensitised against corruption. Of course, I have come across many instances of malpractice while I was looking for a job. In my opinion, students have to be conscious in this matter, and they should move forward with courage.”
Aditya Keshari Mishra, professor of Sociology, Central University of Orissa
“We have been imparting students with knowledge so that they are honest in their lives. They should neither encourage nor indulge in any corrupt practice. We are not only giving curriculum-based teaching, but also we impart other moral teaching so that they can be good persons in future.”
Sandhya Jena, vice-principal, Buxi Jagabandhu English Medium School.
