Corruption: The silent enemy of Governance , Justice and Civilisation.
A recent national television debate on whether people are truly benefiting from an economic growth rate of 7.3% for FY 2025–26 is itself revealing. While growth figures appear impressive, the continued absence of basic amenities, minimum infrastructure, and humane living conditions for large sections of the population exposes a deep disconnect between economic progress and people’s lived realities. That such fundamental issues still demand national attention reflects long-standing governance failures and lack of accountability.
Corruption remains the principal reason for this contradiction. Though universally acknowledged as a major impediment to development, corruption continues to thrive due to systemic callousness and absence of responsibility. Across legislation, administration, and execution, human suffering is often dismissed as destiny rather than recognised as the outcome of man-made systems and deliberate neglect—contrary to the ethical foundations of our civilisation.
Corruption in administration is more destructive than disease. While science can cure physical ailments, corruption has become deeply entrenched—adaptive, inherited, and normalised across social, political, and economic boundaries. It manifests in multiple forms and is increasingly accepted as an unavoidable part of life.
Ironically, many so-called anti-corruption reforms are cosmetic and short-lived. Instead of eliminating corruption, systems and procedures have evolved to accommodate and institutionalise it, making malpractice an informal prerequisite for smooth functioning. Intelligence and authority across institutions have often been used to redesign corruption rather than dismantle it.
This reality calls for urgent collective introspection. Intellectuals, policymakers, administrators, professionals, corporate leaders, educators, technocrtas, social reformers, religious heads, and above all ordinary citizens must come together to confront corruption honestly and pragmatically. True progress lies not merely in higher economic growth, but in improved quality of life rooted in integrity, justice, and compassion—the essence of Sanatan Dharma.
Truth can triumph only when corruption is consciously rejected—culturally, ethically, and emotionally. Capability and success must advance together, while need must never be replaced by greed. Though corruption may appear convenient for administration, it is a destructive and avoidable bane for society.
The time has come for collective moral courage. A society free from man-made distortions is possible—if there is willingness to act.
Truth Alone Triumphs. Corruption which acts as the Greatest Obstacle to People-Centric Progress needs to be eradicated at the earliest systematically and with all Seriousness to derive full benefits of our capabilities and economic achievements.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu.
TVG Krishnan
(Personal Views)
2 comments:
Corruption Isn’t Cultural—It’s a Policy Choice. Here is how LKY ( Lee Kuan Yew) proved it.
Most people think corruption is just "part of the system" in developing nations. In 1959, Singapore proved that’s a lie. Lee Kuan Yew didn’t just "ask" for honesty; he engineered a system where corruption was mathematically a bad bet.
He used a four-pillar framework that transformed a "third-world" port into a global gold standard for integrity:
1. The Legal "Hammer" (PCA)
The Prevention of Corruption Act (1960) flipped the script. In Singapore, if a public official owns a fleet of cars or a mansion they can't afford on their salary, guilt is presumed. They have to prove their innocence, not the other way around.
2. The Independent "Hunter" (CPIB)
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau was given total autonomy.
They report only to the PM.
If the PM is under investigation, they report to the President.
The "No Sacred Cows" Rule: LKY famously allowed the investigation of his own close friend and Minister, Teh Cheang Wan. He proved that no one is "too big to fail."
3. The Economic Logic: Paying for Honesty
LKY’s philosophy was simple: Pay peanuts, get monkeys. He benchmarked government salaries to the private sector. By making ministers among the highest-paid in the world, he ensured that the "loss" of a career due to a scandal was a far greater penalty than any bribe could ever offer.
4. The Cultural Symbol (The White Uniform)
The PAP party leadership famously wears all-white to work and rallies. It wasn't just a fashion choice; it was a psychological contract with the people. It signaled that the leadership was "clean" and expected the same from every level of the civil service.
"If we want to remain clean, we must ensure that the top is clean."
The Result: Today, Singapore consistently ranks as one of the least corrupt nations globally, while many of its neighbors continue to struggle.
Is this a model that could work in other countries, or is it unique to Singapore's "Small State" geography? Will this work for India? Do we have that kind of leadership . I doubt very much because of our federal set up
thank you. The prevention of corruption is the need of the hour. Whether it is prevented culturally, or mathematically, or judiciously does not matter. This is spread , legalised and institutionalised in practice and the people feel helpless and at the same time wonder as to what to do and how to do? The benefit of economic progress and democratic achievements if not reflected in the living experience , the principles and values , and ethical way of life to share the wealth of the economy which form the essence of sanatan Dharma cannot be said to be meaningful. We have to have the system change for the better.
Post a Comment