Ethics
is what we were being taught back at our homes since we were born or we live in
an environment where ethics form the so called base of the society. Yes, so
called base, as I am talking about a country which is known to be the largest
democratic nation but at the same time 2nd best in terms of
corruption. Reports as well as people say that we are in such big mess due to
corruption that we can choke on to any situation in no time, even quicker and
better than world’s best chokers – the South African cricket team. This is sad
indeed but advancement seems to be really slow as compared to the pace at which
it should be moving, slower than a tortoise or even a small snail thanks to
this deadly virus called corruption.
At
the same time we are moving at a very good rate in terms of technological
advancement as well as the talent that is been falling out of institutes as
graduates and post-graduates is admired all around the world. Courtesy
technology, India must have built-up almost 10 times in past 2 decades, owing
to opportunities and openings created either directly or indirectly. But is
this growing technology and talent a glitter of hope towards eradicating
corruption from the country??? Can we actually have a corruption free India
which we could only dream about in our life no matter where and which field we
stand in??? Can our country actually stand up to something which is making it
weaker every second of life???
Well
the answer to it goes that it may take a decade or 2 to eradicate corruption
completely from India but it’s a belief that it’s possible and that’s what the majority
have asked for with the AAP getting elected in Delhi elections. With the
inclusion of rickshaw permits going online in Maharashtra, corruption was
drastically reduced where earlier it was through agents going bizarre on taking
bribes and commissions to get work done easily as well as quickly. Same applies
to passport appointments where appointments use to be on first come first basis
and a common man had to stand in line for around 4 hours prior to the opening
of the office just to stand in line for the same, at the same time there were
back door entrants in the same, is now changed with an online appointment
booking which doesn’t allow any partiality in terms of appointments to be
booked. Government sector as a whole has been always abused in terms of
recruitment but ever since this sector has gone with usage of barcodes in their
entrance exams, the corruption has fairly reduced thanks to simple and
efficient usage of technology. The CCTV cameras are bliss in the technological
advancement where a culprit in terms of any crime would be easily spotted in
the cameras. Not only is crime directly proportional to corruption (includes
bribes taken for release of culprits and biased decisions) but is also giving
rise to people’s disbelief in the law and order system. Inclusion of the CCTV
cameras maybe the start of corruption reduction system.
I
am not a supporter of any political party but prefer been a neutral and hence
my comments on politicians always goes as a negative critic since the sector is
filled with corruption. The tehelka.com, 2G scam, Telgi scam, Commonwealth
scam, Chara ghotala and much more to add to it has made a common man lose faith
in politics. With inclusion of advanced technology and educated talent falling
into the system and taking up politics, it’s a hope that the scams above may
not be seen. With the election system going on a technology based, the polling
mechanism looks fairly easy and lessened in forgery. The Panchayat system going
online (e-Panchayats) which shows the advancement of the rural areas as well as
an on paper exposure of the work every Panchayat does, is an indication that
people are following the growing trend of automation not for they are upgrading
themselves only but also for they want a crystal clear working of the
government.
But
there is a lot we can still do to the existing system for reduction of this
debacle called corruption in India using the existing technology. Monitoring of
money flow and well as government fund flows at every level must be ensured.
This thing can be done by automating the entire system where the giver
(government) needs to just input the money given to the authorities to work on
and at every level, all that an official needs to do is enter the funds he uses
for various activities. This may not completely remove corruption since figures
may be hyped but this hype can be reduced by a huge margin. The entire
admission process can be made online with almost negligible involvement of
management, which includes paying or fees to the seat intake. Not only will this
reduce the probability of donations getting preference over merit seats but
also would give crystal clarity in terms of seats that remain vacant for the
next round. Another addition to the system maybe installation of CCTV cameras
in Jails were probabilities of an influential person getting all the facilities
are really high which actually rules out the probability of the fear that the law system creates by
means of punishment giving.
There
are like numerous sectors and innumerable examples where technology can play an
important role in corruption eradication but frankly speaking about corruption,
it depends on people using the technology rather than technology itself. There
are examples been set of people getting away just because of proofs been
missing, results been forged by people who are in charge of database
maintenance (databases cannot be completely automated and always have an admin)
and much more. With the inclusion of more and more educated people falling into
the system, there is a chance that the system may be technologically advanced
and everything maybe at a distance of button click but still forgery is
possible at every level of automation or technology which is been installed
since the people who have created the system are the ones who are corrupt
rather than the loopholes.
On
the optimistic side as a critic, I would quote that corruption is to a fair
extent reduced by usage of technology, since things are not that easy to be
forged when automated databases are in existence. Also with the end user
becoming technology lover, it is easier to create awareness about different
procedures using the mode of internet where middlemen or agents are bypassed.
Making working and attendance biometric does create a lot of seriousness in the
work culture since money does matter a lot in the end to a person who works.
People are growing in talent and are getting used to rising technology, it
won’t be too far before life becomes completely technology based. Corruption is
fairly reduced but it’s still difficult to eradicate it completely so soon.
India is progressing exponentially but still not at a pace at which it is
expected, a lot depends on the mind set of people who would be the future of
this country. One such person maybe reading this blog and as it is known that
charity begins at home, you maybe one person who can be non-corrupt and who can
efficiently work towards promoting a better India. Technology maybe in place,
it will be better and would keep getting better as time progresses but it all
depends on us on which side of the river do we stand. Let me hope that I turn
into an optimistic critic rather than a pessimist soon and hope to see a
corruption free technology based India. From a fellow Indian to all fellow
Indians – “We can do it together…”
Regards,
Abhijeet (Gladi).
