Vijay K. Saluja
Today, is the 1st day of the year 2011. When, I write my date in numerals. It is 1.1.11! Is n`t it fascinating ?! From tomorrow, this interesting combination will never appear again?!
Yesterday, after 7PM, various TV channels were busy transmitting their programmes which they had assembled for the new year eve. One of the channel had a programme with the Title:`2010, Year of the Corrupt`.
In this programme, some of the scams which hogged the headlines were reported about, with texts & video-footages. Some of the scams featured were-Radia Tapes & 2 G scam, Adarsh Housing scam in Mumbai, CWG scam in Delhi, land scam in Bengalore. Apart from the huge money which the citizens/ nation have lost in these shady goings- on, to my mind, the nation is loosing much much more by way of monopolisation of these unethical happenings, in the media, both print & TV. Besides the attention, efforts, energy & time being put in, by the investigative agencies-CBI, CVC, CAG, Police, Administration, MPs, MLAs etc etc.
The Parliament is in limbo?! Debates about JPC or PAC, rages on with no logical conclusion so far?! Analysts are having hey time in print media & TV channels!
Let us ask ourselves? Can our poor country afford all these luxuries- of non productive activities? Don`t you think, we are poor, because of all these negative activities, day in day out?
In the newspaper-TOI, these days, there is also a news about an Indian Forest officer Sanjay Chaturvedi-a whistle blower, who has been harassed & victimized for years by the Haryana Govt for his only fault`[I will say-taking brave stand] for not toeing the lines of his unethical seniors. He was charge sheeted five years back as the reports say on fabricated charges. It is though heartening to learn from TOI of first January that Union Environment Minister Mr Jai ram Ramesh has, on Friday the 31st Dec, revoked the fabricated charge sheet bringing an end, to the five years of harassment & victimization, of the young Indian Forest Service official.
Why, I am mentioning this case is, because it is just similar to my own case & one can then understand how much agony a conscientious & honest officer goes through, becomes lonely, if he cares for the citizens & nation`s funds, instead of the whims & fancies of his unscrupulous seniors/masters.
Last year in January 2010, Sony TV happened to give me their inaugural CID Gallantry Award for demonstrating an exemplary act of bravery as the certificate given to me stated & the citation given to me also mentioned that the signatories of the citation hoped that that this achievement served as an example for others to follow. The award ceremony was telecast on 26th January,2010 by Sony TV. www.setindia.com/cid
One may ask what was the achievement? Well, It was standing up against the unethical seniors for more than twenty years when being in the municipal service & the roller coaster journey.
The recognition which one thus gets for honesty, integrity & for efforts in fighting corruption, as the citation for Satyendra K.Dubey Memorial Award which I also happened to get from IIT Kanpur & IIT Kanpur Alumni Association in Feb 2009 are no doubt, great morale boosters for the recipients. But, having said that, it is my humble submission that these civil society organizations & TV channels should not be content only with giving away awards, but if they also take up these causes-fighting corruption, standing up to unethical seniors, holding on to values & ethics despite all odds etc etc, through sustained meaningful & purposeful activities/ events/ serials then, to my mind, it will have very salubrious effects on the present perverted system, besides giving morale-boosting to the courageous & honest officials, who I am sure, are in plenty, too, in our governance.
The Government who is now intent upon arresting corruption must also give particular attention, care & provide shoulders to their courageous & honest officers. They are their [the govt] assets which need treasuring.
What do you the readers think?
I have a desire to start an Essay Contest?
Winners to be given reasonable cash prizes & Certificates.
The topic-
How Parents & Schools, can motivate children in fighting Corruption?.
We, the citizens & honest officials should not remain mute spectators, but be proactive in helping the Govt to arrest corruption. The Govt, I am sure, will love it.
Pl send me your views on this to e-mail: salujavijay@hotmail.com
Brief profile of Vijay K Saluja – click
· Senior Fellow Institute of Social Sciences-New Delhi www.issin.org
· Ex Chief Engineer[civil] New Delhi Municipal Council
· Ex President, IIT Delhi Alumni Association
· Red & White Bravery Awardee-2002
· Giraffe Hero-2004 www.giraffe.org
· Nominee[2004]-`Delhi Citizen One Award`, instituted by `India Today Group`
