'Agni' the Holy Purifier

"अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम्। होतारं रत्नधातमम्।" (Rig Veda 1.1.1)

"I adore Agni, the household priest, the divine minister of the sacrifice, the invoker, the bestower of treasures." This verse highlights Agni's role as a divine priest and bestower of wealth, emphasizing his purity and sanctity. While it doesn't explicitly mention the destruction of ill-gotten wealth, it underscores Agni's association with purity and righteousness.

It remains mysterious how hard cash happened to be burnt to ashes. It is heartening to learn that Honorable Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter.

The Indian judicial system may come under intense public scrutiny and outrage amid allegations of weaknesses and corruption. Recent revelations, including a lawyer turned judge allegedly amassing cash disproportionate to recorded income, have shed light on the darker side of the judiciary. Of late, the calls for a collective social action to combat corruption in various sectors have intensified.

Social media plays a crucial role in amplifying voices advocating for justice and transparency. Upholding the highest ethical standards for all individuals involved in misconduct is vital for our society's integrity. The current situation calls for a grassroots fight against corruption and malpractice, extending beyond the judiciary to all aspects of life.

Exploring the root causes of corruption and delving into the psychology behind the pursuit of unethical gains by those in positions of power, are essential. Understanding these dynamics is key to effectively addressing and eliminating corrupt practices.

Corruption in India is deeply entrenched due to historical, political, economic, and social factors. It is not a recent phenomenon but has evolved over centuries, adapting to different governance systems and economic structures. Here’s how corruption became so widespread:

• License Raj (1947–1991): Nehruvian India adopted a socialist economic model that heavily regulated industries. A complex web of permits, quotas, and approvals gave excessive power to bureaucrats, leading to bribery and favoritism. Consequently, leaders and political parties began using government resources for personal or party benefits, a trend that worsened over time. The use of black money in elections became rampant.
• Crony Capitalism, Rapid Growth, Slow Governance: While economic reforms in 1991 reduced bureaucratic red tape, the sudden wealth creation and privatization also created new avenues for corruption, such as corporate lobbying and financial frauds. The nexus between politicians and businesses deepened, with large-scale scams (e.g., 2G Spectrum Scam, Coal Scam) involving misallocation of national resources.
• Complex and Cumbersome Procedures, Weak Law Enforcement: Excessive paperwork, lack of transparency, and slow decision-making force individuals and businesses to use bribery to speed up processes. While India has strong anti-corruption laws (e.g., Prevention of Corruption Act), enforcement is weak due to political influence, legal loopholes, and overburdened courts.

• Socio Cultural Factors: Many people see bribery as a “shortcut” to get things done, making it socially acceptable in some cases. Indian society’s deep-rooted preference for family ties, dynastic political outfits, and personal connections leads to favoritism in hiring, contracts, and promotions. Corruption thrives in unequal societies where people at the lower rungs are forced to pay bribes for basic services like healthcare, education, and police protection.

Digitization - the way forward

Several measures have been initiated by the Central Government to contain corruption at various levels. Digitization of various government approvals and filings is one of the major steps in this direction. However, sot the digitized portals have become a conduit for corruption, as the "faceless" dealing officer rejects eligible applications and frustrates the ease of doing business in India.

A large scale revamp of the government machinery, resulting in high levels of AI based digitization is called for to end this abominable menace of corruption in daily life.