Introduction

Presently, every individual thinks and acts for self or family. At the most, he may work for his caste, region or social group. But working for entire nation is least expected.  Love for self and family at cost of nation is at the root of corruption. Unless we strike at the root, we cannot uproot the giant tree of corruption and selfishness. 

National character

Generally, strict punishment, efficient audit and vigilance are suggested to curb corruption. The recent anti corruption movement is for introducing Lok Pal. But it is very doubtful how mere institutional changes can curb corruption. As long as basic nature of citizens does not change, there can be no improvement. Moreover, selfishness is not peculiar to Indians. This is basic instinct in all animals. Human beings are basically animals and the instinct of self interest is most dominant. But we see that people also care for their immediate family and relatives. Many work for interest of their region and community. This implies that they identify themselves with their families and community. These  are days of nuclear family. So many parents complain that their sons neglect them after marriage. This is because the son identifies himself more with nuclear family consisting of him, wife and children.  In joint family, one identified himself with entire larger family consisting of grand parents, brothers, sisters in law, cousins etc. During British rule, the freedom fighters identified themselves with entire nation and many even sacrificed their lives for nation. Hence, the remedy lies in building national character in a way that one identifies himself with nation. 

Mere bookish teachings and sermons will not help

There are plenty of sermons and books on character building. The religious and spiritual Gurus stress on honesty and simple living. There is a Sanskrit shloka that one may forego his own interest for family, family for village, village for state and state for entire nation. All have read such stuff in schools. The missionary schools also teach moral science as a subject. But any of these do not help. This reminds of a story.  A wise man had seen that many parrots were caught in a net. He taught them before freeing:  We shall not fall in net of hunter. Even if we fall in net, we shall fly away with the net. The parrots uttered his teaching. He was satisfied. But a few days later, he foiund that parrots were again trapped but they were not attempting to fly. They were uttering the teaching that they would not be trapped and even if trapped, they would fly. The moral sermons by spiritualists and teaching in misssonary schools are no better.

Anti materialist sermons will not help

The spiritualist preach that materialism is root of all evils. They preach simplicity,devotion and pursuit of higher goals. But in fact, what they do. There is no such thing as spirituality. What they promise is:  Renounce worldly pleasures and remember God. In turn, you will get all pleasures in heaven. You will get their Hoor, Apsara, menaka (various divine women beauty names), dance, music and wine.  Thus, they are required to surrender worldy pleasures now in order to get the same pleasures in the other world after death. This is indeed deceptive and nobody seriously believes. Even the believers are wise enough to understand that a bird in hand is worth two in bush. So, they enjoy maximum in current life and for this they amass wealth through hook or crook. The sermons really encourage to indulge in corruption. The spiritualists preach love for the unknown and not the nation.

Corruption is consequence of individualism and market economy

The market economy of demand and supply and individualism are at the root of corruption. In market economy, every service- government or privarte- is valued on demand and supply basis.  That is why the subsidized items available on ration cards and otherwise are black marketed. The cheap houses for EWS (economically weaker sections)  are available to the rich mafia. This is market economy. The market and supply mechanism also extends to marriage market. The ugly girls are married for higher dowry. The good earning grooms are sold at higher premium. So, what is the surprise if the government employees also value their service on demand and supply basis. The government servants provide services to public. It matters little that service is provided free or at some fixed rate. Market economy works. So, there will be a premium which may be called bribery or whatever.

Corruption is consequence of class conflicts and ignorance

There are many underprivileged classes in the country. The state has many schemes to protect them. But being ingnorant and weaker, they end in paying higher amount than contemplated by state. Many cannot even operate bank account. Illiteracy and ingnorance results in corruption. They have to pay more. Surprisingly, the anti corruption groups also called civil society gather crowds consisting of the privileged middle class educated persons , who are really beneficiary of corruption. The clerks, petty shopkeepers, school managers, students who are really wards of middle class corrupt elements comprise the crowds pulled by these anti corruption crusaders. Obviously, such NGOs can only create anarchic condirtions and nothing more.  

Over population and shortages cause corruption and blackmarketing 

This is a glaring fact that shortage of a commodity or facility results in hoarding and black marketing. A few decades ago, scooters, telephone and gas connections were available at a premium. This is black marketing, a form of corruption. But now rhere is no black marketing in these items as supply has increased. Once, Maruti cars had also a premium. There is corruption in railway reservation when there is extra demand from passengers and berth availability is less. Land supply is fixed but demand for various purposes has increased. So, there are many scams about land.     

Empower and educate the weaker sections

In fact, the weaker sections and less educated are victims of corruption.Just educate them. Let them be powerful enough to fight corruption. They will. If there is no ignorance and people know their rights and can follow the procedure, the bureaucratic staff and their agents- mostly in NGOs- cannot exploit them. The recent case of physically handicapped deprived of their rights in U.P by collaboration between an NGO and government clearly establish the working of corrupt system.

Computerization and mechanisation will reduce corruption

Computers and machines are honest. The online filing of returns and tax payment has proved this. Just educate people. Make them computer literate so as to enable them to use computer and internet for contact with government departments and avail of various services. Also educate them about tools of fighting corruption inclusive of RTI. They will fight corruption.  

Promote use of collective and group facilities

The exaggerated emphasais on individual and family promotes corruption. Preaching will not help. Encourage people to particpate more in group activities and avail of public transport, public parks, public libraries. The more people particpate in collective activities, more their outlook will widen. Using own vehicle, idling in own verandah, gossiping with own wife and children simply promote individualism and consequently corruption. Use of public transport and other facilities will also bring about best use of scarce resources and thereby reduce scarcity and demand. This will reduce corruption. The predominance of so many caste based organizations promotes castism. Let these be dissolved. Let there be organizations with no regional or caste identity. Thse promote nepotism and partiality, which is nothing but corruption.

The state should increase public assets for use by citizens. The private assets of consumption should be minimized. This will encourage spirit of one nation. This will curb individualism and narrow family and caste considerations.

Conclusion

To conclude, the way to end corruption is to educate, enlighten and empower the weaker sections who are victims of corruption. Encourage use of computers and internet and make all computer literate. Encourage use of public facilities and discourage private. Corruption is nothing but a way to exploit the poor and ignorant. Empower them and they will protect themselves from monster of corruption.