VIMARSHA : Probity in public life

Vimarsha, the monthly discussion session of Vivekananda Kendra International was conducted in the premises of Vivekananda Kendra International [1] at 6.30 pm on 30th September. Shri Bhure Lal (IAS Retd), currently the chairman of the pollution control board was the speaker and ‘Probity in Public life’ was the topic of the session. The Vimarsha started as usual with the chanting of the Vedic invocations by Shri Indraprakash. Shri C.V. Gopinath introduced the speaker and the topic of the Vimarsh to the audience.

Shri Bhure Lal initiated his oration by stating that whatever heights a nation may scale, if probity and morale fails, then it may cease to withstand. He remarked an instance from history when the Greek invaders of India had to search the reason for their defeat. Seleucus attacked India and had to face his waterloo and went back deeply astounded. He sent his sources to India to find the reason for his defeat and came to know that the sole reason for the nation’s invincibility is its prime minister named Chanakya. The Greek went to meet Chanakya and was dumbstruck to see that the prime minster of the powerful nation was a low profile Brahmin who lived in a hut, but was the epitome of renunciation and sacrifice towards the nation.

However, now corruption has engulfed this nation just as in the whole of the world. Even the people from the most elite strata of the society such as the bureaucrats, political leaders have succumbed to the bane of corruption. Shri Bhure Lal gave enormous examples of the top political leaders of foreign countries like Nigeria, Philippines, France, and Germany etc. who had got disgraced. Corruption involves the misuse of the powers vested in the individuals for fulfilling their vested interest.

Shri. Bhure Lal also detailed the ramifications of improbity at the higher levels of administration and governance. It entails various problems such as escalating the cost of the projects whose brunt ultimately has to be borne by the common man and is responsible for the ever increasing gap between the poor and the rich. It pulls back development and may even lead to economic disasters. Many critical issues like Naxalism, illegal flow of money abroad etc. are outcomes of a corrupt society.

The speaker quoted various religious scriptures which attempts to moralize the society. Shri Bhure Lal suggested various comprehensive approaches, objective as well as subjective, for diverting the course of the nation towards a more righteous path. He expressed that idealism and pragmatic patriotism should be the basic code of standard for the Indian society and religious and social institutions has got a major role to help the nation set itself to the world as the paradigm example of morality and probity. A nation with high morale is almost invincible. Even if various factors like educational standards, social equations etc play some role in maintaining probity of a society, the highest role is played by moral values of individuals, in which regard Vivekananda Kendra International has an important task to accomplish. Leaders with great pragmatism who can use their strong will to hit hard on iniquitous elements have to be bred.

The most urgent solution that should go down the line is to formulate and execute very stringent legislations and penalties against every small and big actions of improbity. Shri. Bhure Lal asserted that the Anti-corruption laws have to be invoked at every instance of corrupt acts. Substantiation of anti-corruption rules, liberalizing investigative powers of watch-dogs of corruption like vigilance etc are some other important measures. The penal codes should be suitably reconciled to arrest any attempts of corruption by public servants.

The oration was followed by a brief Question–Answer session in which eminent members of the audience like Group Captain Jairath participated. Shri Ajit Doval, the honourary director of Vivekananda Kendra International gave the vote of thanks to the chief guest and the audience. The Vimarsh concluded with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra.