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“Ask not what your country can do for you - rather ask yourself what you can do for your country".

Today, the world is home to the largest generation of the important drivers of global change and innovation i.e. the youth, contributing about 43% of the global population. A temper of the will, quality of imagination, the predominance of courage, appetite for adventure makes this huge cohort a vibrant, constructive force which can address global issues and create a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.

When we talk of corruption, it refers to corruption in politics, government, industries, and so on. The insatiable appetite for money and intent to go to any extent to get money have generated dirty politics. The fake talk of morality and the cry for money has yielded deeper roots and has made a need-based or greed-based system. Our leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats strengthen the network of corruption.

Corruption has spread its tentacles in every sector and nearly at every strata. Termed as a global problem, it has been common in both developed and developing countries. A corrupted person does not even step backward and is ready to sell the image of the country. The attitude of myself and me has led to this massive change in mentality. Corruption is also called a silent disease with harsh outcomes in India. This disease costs heavily to business, confidence, and economic growth of the society. Situations, poverty, greed, temptation, and immorality make a person corrupt.

Our honourable prime minister Shri Modiji has tried to force a change in black marketing and combat corruption. A ban on big banknotes, goods, and services tax (GST) has made a litter difference in this context. It is like cancer in public life which has become so rampant and perpetuated. A country which takes pride in leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Lai Bahadur Shastri, and Kamraj is now facing the problem of corruption.

“Corruption sells and kills.

Try to save yourself from its tangles
Never cling to its deeds,
for it is the most unwanted weed”

The empowered youth from diverse backgrounds like food to fashion to finance are the forerunners of assessment, awareness, and action. They are the main stakeholders, policymakers, powerful resources in handling responsibilities, revolutionizing fellow men, and a catalyst for change.

Mother India, a young nation, has 250 crore arms and 200 crores of those arms are younger than 35. They are brought up with the ideology of Gandhiji - “Be the change you want to see in your country” to make India a strong and self-reliant nation.

Youth act as critical thinkers with their energy, voice, and actions. They have the capacity to identify and challenge the existing powers and expose the barriers to change. They are an effective force by suggesting alternative concrete solutions through the right to vote and encouraging people to advocate change in political decisions.

Youth voice matters!!

Black money. We, common people also evade tax, take rough bills, pay down payments in cash without receipts. The common man is himself immoral, unjust, and corrupt. He wants things done out of turn and breeds corruption. People have to be honest and fair in all their dealings; only then can they combat corruption.

India is famous because of its culture and the great India cricket team. It was really very shameful for all the Indians that the Commonwealth Games in Delhi was a corrupted event with no proper arrangements for the foreign players and the courts and playgrounds were also not fully ready for the matches. This was the harsh outcome on a world stage. Only a few crores were used and the remaining money went in the pocket of politicians, contractors, and engineers.

It is not only the responsibility of the government but ours too. This elimination needs a joint effort and making it easier for our future generations. Strong and enforceable stringent rules and public education and awareness about corruption are the need of the hour.

Mahatma Gandhi once correctly said, "Be The Change You Want To See In The World".

Former President Dr. Zakir Hussain stated that “Youth form the vanguard of the nation, which when properly channelized shall be instrumental for the development of the country”.
With youth, comes vibrancy, and optimism. Yet a failure to invest can lead to energy turned in destructive rather than constructive directions.

Steps to remove corruption from India permanently:

  1. Better governance is the need of the hour to help to check need-based corruption.
  2. The duty of politicians is of utmost priority.
  3. Sealing of swiss bank accounts.
  4. Role of youths forums and awareness.
  5. Strict punishment to the corrupt.

Reform in ourselves: An honest man will not have to pay bribes and will combat corruption by refusing to pay and by reporting about corrupt officials to the higher authorities. He should use the good offices of his elected representative. This is a better way than bribing officials and shortcutting procedures. The common man should have the moral courage to expose those who demand bribes.

The system needs to reform:

  1. Only a high standard of education can empower the people.
  2. Speedy disposal of cases in courts and greater accountability in the judiciary.
  3. Free legal aid and protection must be given to complainants.
  4. If an official is found guilty, the legal expense should be deducted.
  5. Telephone numbers of anti-corruption bureau officials should be well publicised.
  6. Promotions of government staff should be based on feedback from the public. That will discourage corruption.

Media the powerful weapon:

The media is the only weapon to unmask the corrupt. The common man can condemn corrupt officials through the media. Complete transparency, accountability, and easy accessibility at all rungs of the government can go a long way in solving the problem.

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