Somehow the depressing feeling that
there are no doors to knock at, except perhaps the supreme court for a honest official in distress or for someone
longing to bring to book those who loot the country, that had started taking
root in my heart since the last decade or so refuses to ebb even in the recent times.
The thieves, looters and the depraved seem to be getting away with ease is the
popular public perception taking root.
The ancient saying the Caeser’s
wife should be above suspicion is held more in breach in our nation. Perhaps
even the Ceasers of modern times are generally not above reproach and that is sad
for this nation that in ancient times was indeed the torchbearer for the
entire global civilization.
The media splash in the last few
days covering the activities of the head of the country’s premier investigating
agency has indeed shocked the nation. Perhaps even the last bastion has fallen
and unless the defenses are restored asap, the nation is indeed in for
harrowing times.
Sometime back there was a whisper
that an officer of the railway service was shunted out for refusing to supply
toilet paper for the residential use of a senior honcho of the organisation. Well
definitely this could not have been the first such indiscretion of its kind, but rather the one
that emerged in the public domain and shocked everyone by the brazenness of the act. And
it is not always that someone from the bureaucratic class possesses the courage
to stand up against illegal orders. After all very few of us treat sarkari
assets as amanat, while for the brute majority it is milkiyat. It is
indeed sad that with minor exceptions the custodians are prepared to sell the
nation along with their conscience for petty personal gains. It is not really a
bargain that is worth it.
It is also true that the fear of
retribution for committing gross misdeeds has receded and in its place a new
kind of fear of speaking out against those in power committing gross misdeeds
has taken roots, rather deep one at that. The full tantra cutting across
services and states and to some extent even the common citizen remains in awe
and fear of those in power regardless of the misdemeanors committed by them.
Yet there are some who rebel
against the loot by those who are expected to protect. And it is this minority,
comprising of individuals like the one shunted out who have kept the flag
flying high.
Somehow it all boils down to a major decline in value systems in our society. A society that generally regards
power not as a means to serve but as a means for self-aggrandizement and a display
of superiority over mere mortals will never be able to achieve what is right. Yet a few right steps by a few men have the capability to bring about
changes that can alter the course of history and perhaps the time for such changes is knocking at our door.
In God and providence we trust.
Amen!
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