Corruption and measures to remove corruption

Dr. Thohe Pou *

The Nagalim Times group in Facebook put up a topic and discusses every week and here is the contribution made by its members on corruption – causes and its measures to remove corruption.

Here are some of the causes of corruption as shared by the members:

Ben Gondaimei: Laziness, absence of responsibility and loyalty, lack of accountability, lose morals and social etiquette, lack of respect to others, greed, pride, lack of self esteem and confidence etc. Luikang Lamak: looking for easy money by doing short cut works” Joseph Sha: Corruption is prevailing in our society because there is no one to check corruption. People on top are corrupted themselves so they are not willing to correct and punish their sub-ordinates. The mentality of our people is that things stolen from government or some NGOs are not counted as stealing. They never understood that eating of easy hoarding money causes cancer and other diseases at the end of the day. Had they understood this simple fact, many might have been kept from corruption.

Star Kashung: This is the right time to come to God and commit our life into His mighty hand. If we really have faith in Lord Jesus Christ corruption will be automatically wipe out from our life. Majority corrupt in Naga society - politicians, officers, social workers, govt. employees, civil society leaders, even church leaders, nation workers, individuals, etc. Ato Newme: Lack of concern and love for his own people, explosion of educated population and less employment opportunities, and inactivity of laws or judiciary to deal with corruption and corrupted people. Grace Kayina: Self-centered is big one; there is no truth and honesty anymore, only pleasing people to find their own way and not for society. Jims Marchang: love of money and searching easy ways to fulfill their dreams, spending more than what they have, no dignity and integrity, no honesty, wives bugging their husbands about the new car bought by their neighbors, children demanding more than the need and parents wanting to fulfill their wants, no strict laws and rules to punish the law breakers etc.

Tennoson Pheiray: as a Naga lack of integrity and dignity is the root cause of all forms of corruption prevailing in our society. Our great great grandfather was respected and appreciated by others for their simplicity and honesty. Achui Shimray Lunghar: we have become too materialistic and we are granting social acceptance and legitimacy to corruption! Saam Shekoangshu: Corruption is a part of life, but at first we need to change ourselves then only we can fight for corruption. Aaron Keishing: Corruption is a disease, a virus which cannot be cured without killing the person who has already habituated or learned/mastered. If we are united then only we can fight against corruption. The irony is: even the person who shouts against corruption also looking for easy money. Some person formed vigilant organization to check corruption. They are best defined as extortionists from office and individuals in the name of controlling corruption. How to deal with this?

Juyine Hectar: To me poverty, less salary, unemployment and lack of proper education in our society is the root cause of all corruption, once these problems are solved then slowly the level of corruption can come down. Dee Henry Liangmai: We speak of corruption and discuss to resolve the issue, but I wonder how many of us really do stand against corruption. How many of us can really resist this temptation? When it comes to job, in board exam, in 12 exam, how many of us have the principles to fight against corruption. Let us be an example. Sorah A Shipo: Greed, power, wealth, zeal, trying to cope with fast changing world, despite our incapability leads to acceptance of the tainted character and mind.

Some other points includes: selfishness, greediness, lack of self-discipline, no strong religious background, dishonest, political corruption, give more emphasis to individual values, moral development, greed for money, power, fame etc.

Measures to remove corruption;

Ato Newme: Acepting Lok Pal Bill, creation of of more employment opportunities, introducing strict law to deal the corrupted people without partiality. Jims Marchang: Only one HUGE measure is required in Indian context - arrest, punish and suspend from their post and give a deadline to all the corrupt officials to return all the bribe money. Sadly it will never happen in India, look at our Naga officials – they are one among the most corrupt officials I’ve ever seen. They don't even work and waits for the salary and complains if Rs 5 is deducted from their salary. Without working drawing salary is also a kind of corruption. Somipam Wungrai Vashum: it is all intertwined, only spiritual and humanity minded person can overcome this disease.

Marshall Shongjanwo Shimrayy: To remove this evil cause, all the society be it students, professional, farmers, teacher, politician etc should involve and also should take firm decision that our political sort of government changed. Increased transparency is also essential for limiting it. Ben Gondaimei: Some remedies-Prevention of Corruption ACT 1947, Mass communication and Media should be honest, no bribing-should be dealt seriously, no favouritism, salaries should be increase according to price rise/inflation etc etc. Nathanael Panmei: Honesty is the simplest and the best remedial measure because corruption starts from dishonesty.

Joseph Sha: For tackling corruption, I felt that teachers play a very important role; they should teach the younger ones with their lives (exemplary life). For this matter it includes all the teachers viz. Pastors, Evangelist, Theologians and all the people who are reading and commenting on this page. And one of the most important points is that there should be people to check and punish the perpetrators. As for these days the only agent that's checking and punishing the perpetrator is God alone. Poji LK: spreading awareness through various social programes, seminar, social media etc on this corruption issue can be one of the best weapon to eradicate or stop rampant practices of corruption in our society.

Edited by:
Dr. Thohe Pou,
NTIMES Admin.