Can corruption ever be tackled - Page 5

The big 'C' of corruption can be combated by other more powerful 'C's!

(courtsey Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the AOL fame )

First is the sense of 'Connectedness'. A lack of connectedness or sense of belongingness breeds corruption in society. After all people do not try to cheat their own family or those they have a sense of belonging.

The second 'C' is 'Courage'. A lack of self-esteem or confidence in one's own ability is one of the causes of corruption. It is fear, or insecurity in a person that makes one become more corrupt. He then tries to find his
security only through money, which doesn't really happen.

Third is an understanding of 'Cosmology' - Seeing life from a different perspective of space and time is what will deepen one's vision about one's life.

Seeing life in the context of this huge universe and unfathomable time can broaden one's vision, broaden one's mind and can enrich one's heart.

'Compassion' can bring back dedication in society and remove corruption..

The last one is a sense of 'Commitment' - commitment to contribute to society. When a person has a goal, a commitment to a higher cause in life, it brings a shift from gaining to giving. When the equation between needs and responsibility is disturbed , there is chaos.

In addition we should be ready to speak out and take up cudgels against corruption-but without anger or violence! When many bristles are put together to make a broom , they are far more effective in cleaning a large hall then they would have been individually.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's protests that helped end British colonial rule, the septuagenarian Hazare launched his campaign at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi this week, demanding that the proposed bill be strengthened to make it an effective tool against rampant corruption.

Hazare and a growing band of activists have launched a multi-city movement to force changes in the 40-year-old draft legislation to give the ombudsman police-like powers to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats including judges and members of the prime minister's office.

"Apart from slight weakness, I am fine. I've lost a little weight, but I can still carry on for at least seven more days. I'll never leave the path of truth," Hazare said on Thursday on the third day of his fast.

Protesters have spread their message on Twitter, Facebook and phone text messages, and organisers hope a quarter of a million people will have signed up to a petition on strengthening the provisions of the bill by Thursday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's coalition faces a raft of graft scandals, including an alleged telecoms scam that may have cost the country up to $39 billion, that have spooked investors and could dent the government's chances in important state elections.

The government says it has opened "a channel of communication" with Hazare on demands for activists to sit on a committee that will oversee the drafting of the legislation.

In a sign of the protest's clout, pressure from Hazare prompted a key Congress party ally, farm minister Sharad Pawar, to step down from the Group of Ministers tasked with drawing up the anti-corruption bill late on Wednesday.

Singh promised the bill would be passed after his party's landslide 2004 election victory. Hazare and his supporters have drafted their own alternative version of the legislation, calling for the activist to chair the steering committee.

Bollywood stars have lent their support to Hazare, who has spent three days without food on a stage in New Delhi before scores of live TV cameras. Hundreds of others in cities across the country have held fasts of their own in a show of support.

The campaign comes days after police on Saturday charged former telecoms minister Andimuthu Raja with abuse of office as part of an investigation into the telecom licence scandal, potentially India's largest ever corruption case.