“Calvin: Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?
Hobbes: I'm not sure that man needs the help”
A friend of mine invited me to a seminar arranged by AIM Aluminee, which had this rather debatable topic - Can Corruption be tolerated if it is for the common good. I missed the first speaker as I struggled through the perennial traffic in Andheri West before the cab managed to pick up speed on the highway. As I reached the conference hall, the host had just announced the second speaker, Tarun Tejpal of the Tehelka fame. I quickly responded to my friend's wave and caught a seat next to him, even as Tarun embarked on the definition and history of corruption. He pointed out that life has never been fair from time immemorial... whether it is Lord Ram deceptively killing Bali or whether Krishna guiding Arjun to use unfair tactics to kill Karna, or guiding Yudhistra to bring on the downfall of Drona ... corrupt practices have always been prevalent. But maybe these were done with the objective of common good for all. What is important is that one decides what is right for the common good and act accordingly.
Subsequent speakers, all of them great orators in their own way, including Mani Shankar Aiyar and Ram Jethmalani, were as critical of the corruption prevalent in the society at large, their respective parties and and that of the opposition, the fact that people on the streets were indifferent to the core issues and of the political undertones of the Anna Hazare anti corruption campaign. In the end, I came back with the same sense of delusion, frustration and helplessness, if not more. For, the speakers, did not offer any solution or hope, which despite my logical thinking, I had hoped they would offer. Ram Jethmalani, infact, questioned the sanity of topic... wondering if there can be any good arising out of corruption in the first place.
As I pondered over what they said and feel all the more angry when I read constantly about various frauds, robberies, chain snatching incidents and overall ineptitude of the law enforcing agencies, I have wondered whether the concepts of ethics, honesty and integrity are dying. I have discussed with my closest friends on the rising prices and how black money is driving property prices to spiralling highs. I asked myself whether life is unfair and couldn't resist thinking about Calvin's argument with his dad, when his Dad points out "The world isn't fair, Calvin." He wonders .."I know Dad, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favour?"
However, as I watched people with whom we are in touch constantly, whether it is our own plumber - Rafiqbhai, or our electrician, Younus bhai - people who never hesitates to assist us when we need them, all honest hardworking individuals willing to work hard and earn their living and not compromising on their integrity, I realise that they continue to teach me what Krishna said to Arjuna....
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachna
Karmaphalehtur bhurma te sangostvakarmani.
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action। Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty".
These men, aspire to grow but not at the cost of the others. They believe in being true to their work and not expect the world to reward them for that. I realised I am more lucky, life has been unfair in my favour and still I am looking not at those who do not have but at those few who have earned more than they deserve.
But again as wise Calvin points out in the following dialogue with Susie Derkins,
Susie: You'd get a good grade without doing any work.
Calvin: So?
Susie: It's wrong to get rewards you haven't earned.
Calvin: I've never heard of anyone who couldn't live with that.
The important thing, I realise is to continue to work honestly and be true to oneself. You be the change unto yourself. Then you have earned yourself a good night's peaceful sleep.
