Feeling Helpless About Corruption: How Can We Truly Contribute to Our Country?

Guys, I just saw RDB, and I know most of you must have seen it already. But still, I decided to post this because I was totally moved by it. I know that what was shown in it was totally impractical, but still, guys, it made me think about what I had done for my country. Contributing to the GDP is not the answer. We do that for ourselves and not our country.

I asked a few friends the same question, and the answer I got was, "Where is the time to do something for the country when we don't get time for ourselves?" Agreed, but my question is, if we allow the country to go to the dogs, who and what will end the corruption? Isn't it this corruption which allowed Jessica Lal's murderer to get away scot-free? Isn't it what allows justice to be bought? Aren't we part of this system?

Each day we read some sort of news, but as long as we are earning our money and are not directly involved, we don't feel anything. Is earning money and being a part of this rat race our be-all and end-all? Why, guys? Can't we adopt a single cause - something which we are passionate about, something which can help our society? Can't we be responsible while casting our votes? Can't we do our best not to bribe somebody or allow others to bribe us? Can't we?

RDB: Rang De Basanti (It took me some time to figure out what you wanted to convey).

Yes, I agree with Aamir's ideology that nothing is going to change until we do something about it...

So, what can I do along with the responsibilities that I already have?

1. If you go kill some politician and die for the cause (like in RDB), who will look after your family? Wouldn't it also put more pressure on the country, with the country spending more on the security of politicians, running huge expenses on the court case, and millions of dollars being spent on the news of the event?

What we can practically do:

1. Pay taxes on time and in full.

2. Do business ethically.

3. Vote.

4. Ask questions (via newspaper columns, the Right to Information Act).

5. Engage in labor-intensive businesses (there is still a gap between jobs and joblessness).

6. Protest (like in the Jessica Lal case) - it does make a difference.

The motto should be to be instrumental in change.

THE CHANGE HAS TO BE FOR GOOD FOR ALL, INCLUDING THE PERSON BRINGING IN CHANGE.

I am very practical and honest. I think that is sufficient to play my part for the country.

Agreed Ajmal - that's what I want us to think of: how we, as individuals, can bring in practical changes. It's about us, our generation - we who have been gifted with resources and stable economic and political conditions to bring about a change, to contribute to our society. We can do some social work, sponsor a kid's education in CRY, spend some time with old people in old age homes, ask questions from our representatives about what they are actually doing, vote responsibly, ensure that our voice is heard as is being done in Jessica Lal's case, make sure that media people are representing the correct picture of society, and be at peace with each other.

Hi Pranati,

Some other means we can do something... I got a chance but did not pick up. We had this campus of 'Pratham' NGO, wherein they were looking for young MBAs to go to different districts and promote literacy.

I think that if somebody really wants to do something strong, he can leave his corporate job and join an NGO. Nowadays, even NGOs pay well enough to sustain your family, and you would also be doing some good for society.

Dear All,

It is indeed heartening to note that people are now thinking beyond only themselves and more about the country. However, I honestly believe that instead of cursing the ideology that RDB tried to portray, we must look into how we can make a difference (however small it may be) by introspecting our own social behavior as per our individual capacities.

Every day there are reports about horrendous crimes such as rapes, murders, corruption, etc., that we read about and forget in due course of time. Not many of us even have the time to discuss some pertinent issues such as putting up PILs in protest of injustice, as one survey report proves. The main enemy to our growth is our indifferent attitude and this needs to change. We may not be as rebellious as RDB portrays, but we certainly need to be vigilant and alert to avoid such mishaps. We also need to VOTE HONESTLY, as most of the educated class refrains from doing so. It is our right as well as duty to exercise the same. THIS NEEDS TO BE ENSURED BY ORGANIZATIONS too as the days of election are looked upon as free vacation time. This must stop. If politicians are looked upon as monsters, then we create them by our negligence in doing our duty.

There is also the issue of tax evasion. Salary earners regularly pay their taxes by way of TDS, but what about Rich farmers who still exploit poor peasants and enjoy tax-free income due to loopholes in the laws. Companies pay taxes as per the law but what about the parallel economy that we have in the country. These could be avoided if we are honest in our day-to-day dealings, insisting on paying the MRP and taking a bill for every item purchased instead of shirking our duty.

We look at urchins begging and we have the largest slum in Asia. They definitely are happy the way they are but do they have the opportunity to progress in their lives? Without education or vocation, they are led to easier ways of crime destroying their lives altogether. Can we as citizens of India take this as our responsibility to invest some time for their development? These are certain questions I would like to post to the esteemed professionals here. As for me, I believe I am trying to work at the grassroots level by adhering to suggestions I have posted. I hope this mail would serve a good cause.

Thanks & Regards,

Radhika

Hi Pranati,

One thing that I do is sponsor education. I do not donate to any organization for tax benefits. Instead, I walk down to the nearest school and inquire if there is any monetary support required for a poor student. There are many families (middle income) that cannot support their kids' education. In my free time, I also offer tuitions so that they can truly value education.

I would suggest you walk down to the mid-level schools and talk to the principal there. From there, you can start your service to the nation. As suggested by Ajmal, you could also visit the villages. Join your own team and take the first step. The rest will follow. Do not wait for followers.

Ajmal, please send me the details of the organization. If everyone is educated, then I believe we will have a better India.

Hi Pranati,

I appreciate this initiative of yours to identify who has done what for the country.

I haven't done anything great for the country (I am a student), but whatever little I have done will be mentioned at the end of this posting.

But before that, I need to bring to everyone's notice what our rich and famous people have done for the country.

Sachin Tendulkar: the greatest batsman in world cricket with lots of money, asks the government for exemption in customs duty for his Ferrari.

Saif Ali Khan, Sushmita Sen, Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Dia Mirza: all of them are on the IT department's defaulters list for their imported cars.

Lata Mangeshkar: once somebody had commented that India has two wonders - the Taj Mahal and Lata Mangeshkar. Recently, she made a statement that "I will leave Mumbai if a flyover is built on Pedder Road (Mumbai) - that's where her house is located."

I am not trying to pinpoint their wrongdoings, but just have a look at the people whom many of us consider to be role models.

Now it's my turn:

I donate blood whenever it's possible for me (not more than once a year) and have done it three times to date.

This I do because mine is a rare blood group, A-negative.

I request you also to subscribe to this website [link removed] as it will be of use to many people in our country.

Other than this, I have participated in a few protests in college against some unjust practices.

That's it from my end.

Thanks and regards,

Sonit Singh

Hi all,

This is not a question that you need to answer here on the forum, but it was posted to make all of us think about the question and make a small change. It's great to know that so many of us are doing something for this land we call our motherland. Instead of thinking about people who don't do anything, let's think about all the people who do: the soldiers who lay down their lives and are not even remembered (do you know the only memorial for the Indian soldiers was built by the British after WWI - it's what we call India Gate), social workers (and I mean the real ones) who give up comfortable, luxurious lives and take up a job in this sector, loads of teachers and doctors who work in villages and small towns, and many others. These are all the unsung heroes; let's make them our idols and do something for our country - donate blood, educate a kid, plant some trees, feed some animals, talk with our nearby hotels and ask them to donate the leftover food to feed the homeless, give free tuitions to kids who can't afford them, give our votes, ensure that we don't take or accept bribes and other small things. As an HR professional, we can ensure that our company does something as a corporate responsibility.

Have a great day, all of you.

Hi Pranati,

Your thoughts are good, dear. You can make changes in your own way and contribute to the country. What freedom fighters have done is something we can never achieve in today's fast-paced life. So, do whatever little you can do.

You need the website of the Pratham NGO: [http://www.pratham.org/](http://www.pratham.org/)

Take care,
Priya

Hi Pranati,

The issue is very sensitive as corruption has spread its roots deep within society. (Please pardon me if I sound like a social worker or whatever.)

Can you imagine getting a driving license without an agent in Mumbai? Can you get your new flat, house, or plot registered without paying bribes at various levels?

Just a few examples. I don't know if I make sense to all out there, but the message I want to convey is that most, if not all of us, want to get our work done hassle-free and quickly, isn't it? Hence, we pay bribes.

I am not criticizing anyone; this is about me. I do this, and I accept it.

Regarding doing something for the country, people do their bit in some way or another for the benefit of the country; everyone does it, though unknowingly.

Hats off to the army personnel. I don't think anyone can question them for their contribution to the country.

Casting votes, do you think it really helps? Because I don't think so (I do cast my votes). Have you ever visited places like UP, Bihar, or the North Eastern states? For the real elections in India, visit these places and see if voting really matters.

Paying taxes: my family pays taxes, but my neighbors don't. In the month-end, we face financial problems while they party all year round. Why should I pay taxes? This is just an example, not my case at least.

NGOs: Recently, I read a judgment against the owners of an orphanage. They were sentenced for a few years with some fines to be paid. Do you know what the case was about? It was paedophilia (sexual abuse of children). I am not questioning all NGOs, but how do we know which one is genuine?

So, we need to think of some other ways to contribute to the progress of the country.

Lastly, disclaimer: these are my personal views, and nobody is bound to accept them.

Thanks and Regards,

SONIX

Hi Pranita,

First of all, thank you for raising such a good topic on this forum.

Now, if we think on this in a little bigger view, the first question is what is stopping India from being a developed country and what can we do to stop and face this situation.

So, the answer is, the worst problems that our motherland is currently facing are:

1) Corruption

2) Bad politics

So, the immediate question is, can we change it?

If you are practical and honest, the answer would be "NO." So, the next immediate question is then what can we do for our country to be an even better one.

The answer might be this:

As we all know that bad politics and corruption are deeply rooted in our country, it's better not to think of it. First of all, the group that can make things happen is the "youth" of that country. So, we youth should feel the responsibility for our country and try to do the things that are in our control in almost a perfect manner, as perfection is not possible in all cases. So, may it be sports or studies or at the workplace or the role as a perfect citizen or a caring family member, we youth should try to make them happen in better ways to be a better human being.

Please don't say that it is not possible and practical because if we can't control ourselves, we may not be able to control anything.

Now, the question is, if we do the above things, is it sufficient?

The answer is not exactly sufficient, but your country needs an extra bit from you apart from the above things.

Then what is the extra bit?

The answer is quite simple. Apart from trying to be a better human being in all aspects, pass this message and the necessity for the youth with reasons why his country wants him to be a better human being.

I think this definitely leads to a "NEW GENERATION" that would help our country to be a healthy one. After all, YOUTH is the FUTURE of any country.

I know that this is a lengthy process, but it may work.

As per charity works, just be strong that you would spend some 2 percent of your entire income for charity works and do them on a regular basis. May it be sponsoring for poor students or helping orphans or anything.

I am not exactly sure if all the above things work or not, but I will stick to it.

If any members of this group see any practical problems for implementing this, please let us know for building a better country of ours.

Thanks,

Regards,

Kiran.

Guys!

I made this post a long time ago. Many questions and concerns that have turned a whole generation cynical came up. However, many things have changed, and many things need to change. We are the change, and we can bring in the change. So...