CORRUPTION – IS IT REALLY SO HARMFUL...?
Corruption has become all pervasive – politicians, civilian bureaucrats – and – even defence officers have been affected by the “corruption virus”.
Yes – even the Armed Forces have been tainted by scams by senior officers – and recently – we witnessed the ignominy of an ex Air Chief being arrested for corruption.
Whenever a senior military officer is implicated in a corruption scam – some veterans complain that only Armed Forces Officers Officers are targetted for Corruption and Politicians/Bureaucrats involved in corruption get away scot free.
They also give excuses justifying corruption in uniform saying that if Bureaucrats can be corrupt and make money – what is the harm of Military Officers also make a few bucks...?
Corruption is harmful everywhere.
At present – we are witnessing how a few corrupt bankers are defeating the objectives of Demonetisation.
Yes – corruption is harmful in all places.
However – it is in the uniformed Defence Services that corruption caused maximum harm.
This is because corruption destroys discipline – which is the bedrock of the Armed Forces.
Read on...
CORRUPTION IN –> DISCIPLINE OUT
Musings of a Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE
One of the most important of the Ten Commandments is the Eighth Commandment – THOU SHALT NOT STEAL (You shall not steal) which clearly says “do not steal” and prohibits theft.
There are many forms of “stealing”.
Robbery and burglary are “blue collar” thefts.
Corruption is a “white collar” theft.
Corruption is a form of stealing.
Hence – corruption violates the 8th Commandment.
We observe that the law and society is harsh towards those committing robbery and burglary.
However – we seem to be quite benevolent and lenient towards the corrupt persons who indulge in all sorts of scams.
Is corruption really that harmful?
Well – there may be many ramifications of corruption – but one effect I have observed during my long military career in the Navy is:
“When Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out...”
“Corruption In –> Discipline Out...”
Discipline is the bedrock of the Armed Forces.
Corruption destroys discipline.
And that is the main reason why corruption is most harmful in military organizations like the Army, Navy and Air Force.
As a young officer in the Navy – I used to ask myself:
“If I remove my badges of rank – then why should a sailor willingly obey me...?”
The answer I gave to myself was that – a sailor will obey me if he “respects” me.
And – in order to respect me – the sailor should feel that I am “better” than the sailor.
Yes – an officer will be respected by a soldier, sailor or airman – if the soldier, sailor or airman feels that the officer is “better” than him.
Those days – I could not exactly define what the term “better” meant.
Now – I realize that the term “better” means “moral ascendancy”.
Your juniors will willingly obey you if they “respect” you.
And – you must have “moral ascendancy” over them to gain their “respect”.
Thus – “moral ascendancy” in officers – especially senior officers – is an essential prerequisite for discipline in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“Moral Ascendancy” is the most important Officer Like Quality (OLQ) for a Defence Officer.
You have to attain moral ascendancy before you demand respect.
Genuine respect does not come from authority – but from “moral ascendancy”.
Can a corrupt officer have “moral ascendancy”...?
Can you expect Junior Officers and Soldiers to genuinely “respect” those Corrupt Senior Officers who indulge in scams, scandals and immoral acts and thereby tarnish the reputation of the Defence Services...?
Once “respect” goes – “willing obedience” goes – and – as a consequence – natural “discipline” goes.
Thus – when Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out.
Media reports of various incidents in recent times indicate that symptoms of this indiscipline are quite visible.
Can an indisciplined army fight effectively...?
There is a saying that a corrupt and indisciplined army can never win a war.
And – God Forbid – if there is a war – and – if we lose the war – the main reason will be corruption.
Corruption is harmful everywhere.
But in the Armed Forces – corruption is especially harmful since – in the Military – when Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out.
This can lead to disastrous consequences like defeat in war.
In the Military – corruption can compromise security.
That is why Corruption in the Armed Forces is most harmful.
Corruption is not acceptable anywhere – but – it is in the Armed Forces that Corruption is absolutely not acceptable at all – in view of the disastrous consequences that can happen if the “corruption virus” is allowed to affect the Defence Services.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. This article is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. The word “blind” is used in a metaphorical sense – and there is absolutely no disrespect towards the visually impaired.
2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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