The dream of a corruption-free nation
As Anti-corruption day is being celebrated around the world on December 9 with walkathons, marches and debates, one can’t help but wonder why the biggest democracies of the world are riddled with corruption. MK Gandhi once said, “Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy, as they undoubtedly are today,” but the situation doesn’t seem to have improved, it’s perhaps once worsened in India since the country became independent and declared itself a democracy over 66 years ago.
A corruption index report released by Transparency International revealed that more than two thirds of the 177 countries in the 2013 index score below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean). India scored 36 points and was ranked at No. 94. India’s rank remained unchanged since 2012 and it still remains one of the highly corrupt nations of the world.
While reports of corruption at different levels of governance are out on a daily basis, one does also hear of individuals and groups saying NO to corruption and trying their best to prevent this disease. The country has witnessed anti-corruption movements and the emergence of a party that calls itself an anti-corruption party.
With Anna Hazare once again sitting on a fast for the passing of the Lokpal bill, corruption has become a household conversation for everyone. Citizens are voicing their anger and frustrations over corrupt systems and are trying their level best to circumvent them. But things can change only when every individual decides to fight against the corrupt. The theme of this year’s anti-corruption day ‘Act against corruption today’ has to be adopted by every citizen to be able to even dream of a corruption-free nation.