Corruption is everywhere and the ease with which it is condemningly pointed out elsewhere by our government creates the illusion that we are standing on some higher moral ground. But hiding income in tax havens to avoid paying income taxes; collecting huge subsidies for creating pollution with inefficient substitute gasoline programs; filing and obtaining false income tax refunds from an inept IRS; billing Medicare for millions for false wheelchairs and other equipment; these are only a few of the corruptions that are emanate from the goings on in our own society that we apparently do not have the heart to face up to and eliminate. It is sometimes hard to avoid despair as one views the dishonesty and fraud in the human race, our portion of it as well the rest. But then one looks about at all the really fine people that are honestly trying to make a go of living a worthwhile life, and one feels better in the realization that even a few million crooks does not the whole world make.
5
The Congress is populist, the BJP not-populist: both are corrupt. The reasons are: the need for campaign finance, raising which comes under the honest graft variety, since an essential part of democracy has been criminalized by politically correct bad law; and straightforward dishonesty. The second corruption is more pernicious and speads up, down, sideways. The upcoming parliament session on this is likely to be disorderly and inconclusive, since Indian politicians are not skilled in making a clear, forceful or readily grasped case. But if Modi is seen as failing to act decisively, the BJP will probably lose the next election.
2
As far as Modi is concerned, I find that his overseeing the murder of thousands of Muslims in a state (pradesh) in which he was the highest ranking elected official a lot more damning than his involvement in a scandal concerning people paying other people to take exams for them.
4
I think it's been written somewhere "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Lest we wag the finger a little too vigorously at academic admission corruption, perhaps the we might want to look at the legacy admissions at the storied Ivy leagues. No unqualified applicants there. I'm sure George W. Bush got into Yale on his own merit.
Lest we wag the finger a little too vigorously at academic admission corruption, perhaps the we might want to look at the legacy admissions at the storied Ivy leagues. No unqualified applicants there. I'm sure George W. Bush got into Yale on his own merit.
6
In India's middle-class dominated media there is too much emphasis on corruption in the corridors of power, and NY Times has just joined the bandwagon. The real corrupt are India's middle classes; they don't pay taxes, employ cheap labor, don't understand the responsibilities of citizens, make lots of money in real estate and stock market and keep the focus on political leaders. Political parties require funding and end up in bed with unscrupulous individuals; campaign finance reform is the best way out.
8
Yes. When I was in India, I saw middle class people treat their domestic workers like slaves.
6
After spending time in India, it is clear to me that corruption is perhaps the most significant factor holding India back from achieving its potential. Bribery pervades every aspect of life. Bought the wrong train ticket? You don't go to the counter and pay a transfer fee, as you would with Amtrak. The conductor just pockets a small bribe. Unfortunately, it is so pervasive that the conductor simply sees it as part of his wages and most citizens view it as no different than paying a fee to Amtrak. Take that example and apply it to every interaction in the US where you are faced with delay, inconvenience, error, or (as in this case) exams and licenses. The impact is staggering: in lost public trust, accountability, and quality (why do the exam when you can pay someone else?), in lost tax income, in lost efficiency (the best aren't promoted, it's about $$), and sometimes in loss of life. When inspectors, managers, doctors, and engineers are all on the take, and may have paid for their qualifications, you can imagine the results in terms of health and safety.
12
It all seems so far away until one considers how India today provides extensive "medical tourism" to Americans and provides all manner of backroom services globally. Those who think freedom from government and lowest cost through globalization are unambiguous virtues should take note. Good governance and smart regulation along with the transparency brought by an independent media are not societal luxuries. They are hard to establish and easy to lose.
Big money paid to acquire school admission and credentials? Illicit money channeled into political campaigns? Corruption in professional sports? Delight by a political party all too eager for public misery if it brings political advantage through another party's misfortune? Gambling with pubic health and welfare for private gain or political advantage couldn't happen in the U.S., could it? "I'm shocked, shocked to find out gambling is going on in here!"
Big money paid to acquire school admission and credentials? Illicit money channeled into political campaigns? Corruption in professional sports? Delight by a political party all too eager for public misery if it brings political advantage through another party's misfortune? Gambling with pubic health and welfare for private gain or political advantage couldn't happen in the U.S., could it? "I'm shocked, shocked to find out gambling is going on in here!"
9
If you're a tourist in India and get a cab, the cab driver will suggest a hotel where he gets a cut of your stay costs. If you want to go shopping, he will know the perfect place...where he gets his take. If you need to take a train, several men may attempt to stop you and introduce themselves as travel guides that can help you buy the ticket, help with the luggage, and help you find your seat. If they buy the ticket for you, the ticket will cost more than it should. If you hand them ten rupees, they will help you to understand that rs 200 is a small but fair tip.
For those unaware, India is the country of middle-men. If you give anything to any beggar anywhere, you will have a throng on you in no time. I've been there half a dozen times, and while my time in Kerala was for more pleasant than other trips, and perhaps rural Himalayas was a release from the racket in the cities, the concept of bribing is so endemic that not only is it not called that but it is almost necessary on so many levels in that country just as a matter of subsistence.
To many there, bribing is a means of correcting what would otherwise be an unfair economic system. For one of my drivers, it just leveled the playing field. His mind did not go far enough to even hint at a victim, which due to his schemes was more often me, the tourist employing him. Bribing in relation to education or becoming a doctor is to them no different than finding a good hotel or getting better treatment at a restaurant.
For those unaware, India is the country of middle-men. If you give anything to any beggar anywhere, you will have a throng on you in no time. I've been there half a dozen times, and while my time in Kerala was for more pleasant than other trips, and perhaps rural Himalayas was a release from the racket in the cities, the concept of bribing is so endemic that not only is it not called that but it is almost necessary on so many levels in that country just as a matter of subsistence.
To many there, bribing is a means of correcting what would otherwise be an unfair economic system. For one of my drivers, it just leveled the playing field. His mind did not go far enough to even hint at a victim, which due to his schemes was more often me, the tourist employing him. Bribing in relation to education or becoming a doctor is to them no different than finding a good hotel or getting better treatment at a restaurant.
13
This is all true, and sometimes to the advantage of the poor ignorant tourist, whose 'guide' shows her marvels that or she didn't know existed.
Corruption in India has been endemic and institutionalized, which has been the root cause of India's abject poverty, bonded and child labor prevailed in many parts, for generations. Only a handful of leaders dared to speak about it.
The rising inequality in the Third World perpetuates corruption and feed into one another. (e.g. the extreme inequality of Angola, Nich Kristof has explained.)
Quasi corruption exists in the US as well. Citizen United ruling of Supreme Court, though not with bribery is a case in point. Again, treating hedge fund income as carried interest with a tax rate of just 15% until 2012, is a form of corruption.
Back to India, being an Indian American I know the affluent "Middle Class" does not consider poor & low caste as genuinely human, which is part of the culture & very difficult to change. Even during slavery days the majority of blacks were hardly treated as subhuman. Untouchables in India are still considered sub-human. Their need has no legitimacy, which is part of the Indian culture.
There is no easy, quick fix. My natural sympathy has been & still is with the Congress party. But I thought Mr. Modi would make a real difference. I believe he is indeed trying, with the limited knowledge I have.
Despite all this, a less radical Communist party ruled a Southern State, Kerala (2015 population 35M) in 1970-77, with Congress support, making phenomenal improvements, creating the "Kerala.Model," closer to Cuba model but with genuine democracy!
The rising inequality in the Third World perpetuates corruption and feed into one another. (e.g. the extreme inequality of Angola, Nich Kristof has explained.)
Quasi corruption exists in the US as well. Citizen United ruling of Supreme Court, though not with bribery is a case in point. Again, treating hedge fund income as carried interest with a tax rate of just 15% until 2012, is a form of corruption.
Back to India, being an Indian American I know the affluent "Middle Class" does not consider poor & low caste as genuinely human, which is part of the culture & very difficult to change. Even during slavery days the majority of blacks were hardly treated as subhuman. Untouchables in India are still considered sub-human. Their need has no legitimacy, which is part of the Indian culture.
There is no easy, quick fix. My natural sympathy has been & still is with the Congress party. But I thought Mr. Modi would make a real difference. I believe he is indeed trying, with the limited knowledge I have.
Despite all this, a less radical Communist party ruled a Southern State, Kerala (2015 population 35M) in 1970-77, with Congress support, making phenomenal improvements, creating the "Kerala.Model," closer to Cuba model but with genuine democracy!
22
I agree with most things that you say. It was clear, however, that blacks in America, both in law and in fact, were considered subhuman during American slavery and by large swathes of the nation for at least a century afterwards. Blacks could not be citizens, they counted as 3/5th of a person for census purposes and were bought and sold as chattel but with more cruelty than when horses and cattle that were traded.
Having said that, Untouchables (Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Harijans) are perhaps the most benighted people in the history of the world. While the Indian Constitution outlawed caste discrimination in 1947, as with racism in the US, caste distinctions will take several generations to stamp out. It is, in fact, more rooted in Hindu belief systems than slavery is in Christian belief systems. It would be a hard press for Prime Minister Modi to convince his political "base" to fight against their basic instincts. It's not quite clear that he himself believes differently. At least with the Communists in Kerala and West Bengal, they gave at least lip service to the equality of castes, religions, gender and ethnicities, but their appeal has been regional, not national.
It's sad to say, but India wrote the book on (petty) corruption. If India were not corrupt, would it really be India?
Having said that, Untouchables (Dalits, Scheduled Castes, Harijans) are perhaps the most benighted people in the history of the world. While the Indian Constitution outlawed caste discrimination in 1947, as with racism in the US, caste distinctions will take several generations to stamp out. It is, in fact, more rooted in Hindu belief systems than slavery is in Christian belief systems. It would be a hard press for Prime Minister Modi to convince his political "base" to fight against their basic instincts. It's not quite clear that he himself believes differently. At least with the Communists in Kerala and West Bengal, they gave at least lip service to the equality of castes, religions, gender and ethnicities, but their appeal has been regional, not national.
It's sad to say, but India wrote the book on (petty) corruption. If India were not corrupt, would it really be India?
7
This is obviously why many of the Dalits converted to Islam over the centuries. Why should you stay in a religion that tells you you are sub-human. Perhaps Modi and his supporters are punishing India's Muslims, not for their religion, but because the majority of them had Dalit ancestors.
3
India is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It is a way of life like religion.Every one from the highest office to the lowest level of bureaucracy and elective politics in my view is corrupt unless proven otherwise either directly indirectly. This applies to both the Central and all the State governments. India is 1000 times more corrupt than it was in 1950. All the slogans by the Modi government are just slogans
17
This may be the most entertaining editorial I've ever read in any major newspaper.
6
Vyapam scam dates back to 2007-8, long before the Modi-led government came into power in 2014. Besides, the "scam" was limited to the state of Madya Pradesh, when the Congress-led UPA government was running the country. So why blame the current Prime Minister Modi or his government? They are trying to find answers to the mess in which the son of the governor of Madya Pradesh, a Congress-party appointee, committed suicide, who was allegedly linked to the scam. Regarding "Lalitgate", The Times could have provided more details. like the Congress Party's attempts to turn the humanitarian gesture of the current BJP foreign minister to help the cricket fugitive Lalit Modi see his cancer-stricken wife in Portugal into a "scam." The Times should be careful in checking out the veracity of anti-PM Modi propaganda being sent out by the Modi bashers, particularly the Congress Party, in India.
11
Political funding in all countries is the root cause of corruption. As long as political funding is not minimised, there can never be corruption free political parties. Further middlemen or lobbyists are adding fuel to the fire.
America is no different from India as far as corruption at high level is concerned. The main difference is that there is no corruption at the lower level and some corruption at middle level exists there and as such comman man is unaffected whereas in India, it's simply not the case,
America is no different from India as far as corruption at high level is concerned. The main difference is that there is no corruption at the lower level and some corruption at middle level exists there and as such comman man is unaffected whereas in India, it's simply not the case,
10
NYT headline " Dangerous Corruption in India" is an oxymoron. Public corruption thrives since colonial times. Nothing is done about it because politicians/parties do not want to rock the boat of stealing public money for free. Politicians and powerful bureaucrats are above the law, free of any accountability whatsoever.
14
July 12, 2015
This is a universal for cause to quote:
Jawaharla Nehru t- The First Congress Prime Minister of India -
“We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth.”
JJA Manhattan, N. Y.
This is a universal for cause to quote:
Jawaharla Nehru t- The First Congress Prime Minister of India -
“We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth.”
JJA Manhattan, N. Y.
4
Mr. Modi not only should speak out but urge strong
action against all involved. usually, low level people,
as the editorial pointed out, are arrested leaving higher
ups free to start anothor scandal. Regarding Lalitgate,
Sushma Swaraj, the foreign affairs minister, should have
been forced out of the cabinet for her involvement as
well as the chief minister of Rajasthan-a state ruled
by BJP. Modi has kept silent and sent the message that
nothing will happen if you hold important position in BJP.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Modi is a good
election campaigner using high sounding rhetoric but
not a serious transformational leader that India needs and
people crave for. "It tu Modi" is what Manmohan Singh,
former Prime Minister who presided over many scandals,
can say. Corruption is so rampant that no field of human
endeavor has escaped.
action against all involved. usually, low level people,
as the editorial pointed out, are arrested leaving higher
ups free to start anothor scandal. Regarding Lalitgate,
Sushma Swaraj, the foreign affairs minister, should have
been forced out of the cabinet for her involvement as
well as the chief minister of Rajasthan-a state ruled
by BJP. Modi has kept silent and sent the message that
nothing will happen if you hold important position in BJP.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Modi is a good
election campaigner using high sounding rhetoric but
not a serious transformational leader that India needs and
people crave for. "It tu Modi" is what Manmohan Singh,
former Prime Minister who presided over many scandals,
can say. Corruption is so rampant that no field of human
endeavor has escaped.
5
When everything he touches, comes off in his hands, the result of decades of fast and furious corruption and destruction, what can him or anybody else do but maintain a "studious silence", go off on voyages to distant lands and take credit for the occasional bit of good fortune.
I have shown the Prime Minister ( and The President Of India and the previous dispensation ) proof that India's Supreme Court is tainted. http://goo.gl/uDFdr http://goo.gl/WNw1e , no response !
As I've been saying for years, India is mired in corruption.
Up the creek without a paddle.
My "no excuses", ultra peaceful, non partisan, individual sathyagraha against corruption and for the idea of the rule of law in India.
http://goo.gl/qZup7 http://bit.ly/orCEMV
Now, in its 25th year.
I have shown the Prime Minister ( and The President Of India and the previous dispensation ) proof that India's Supreme Court is tainted. http://goo.gl/uDFdr http://goo.gl/WNw1e , no response !
As I've been saying for years, India is mired in corruption.
Up the creek without a paddle.
My "no excuses", ultra peaceful, non partisan, individual sathyagraha against corruption and for the idea of the rule of law in India.
http://goo.gl/qZup7 http://bit.ly/orCEMV
Now, in its 25th year.
2
This is an open secret and not much shocking. Central Bureau of Investigation is part of the problem and not an independent entity as it supposed to be. The innocent citizens who bought into BJP and Mr. Modi's promises were naive and unfortunately duped, because they are part of the corrupt system and are more interested in dominance of Hinduism than eradicating corruption.
6
In so far as corruption scandals are concerned the NDA dispensation headed by Narendra Modi is simply a UPA-3 version of the earlier Congress led and Manmohan Singh headed coalition, except that the bloody serial killings were absent earlier. This speaks volumes about the claims of Modi for being the aspirational leader of the rising young Middle class of India, committed to see corruption free India in his tenure, and BJP claiming itself as the party with difference.
8