Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: November 2020

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Corruption and Unethical Acts – Who is Culpable...?

This article is about responsibility, accountability and culpability for Corruption – but the same is applicable universally for all omissions, commissions and actions of an organisation – where the “Top Man” must take full responsibility and be held accountable and culpable – and he should not abdicate responsibility and pass the buck to his juniors.

Dear Reader : Here is an article I had written around 9 years ago – once more – for reflection...

CORRUPTION – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE…?

Musings of a Veteran on CORRUPTION and CULPABILITY

VIKRAM KARVE

Whenever there is a scam – it is quite amusing to see top leaders abdicate responsibility and blaming their juniors.

It seems to have become a standard leadership practice to dodge responsibility for scams, bribery and the corrupt activities – and pass the buck by blaming their juniors who are made scapegoats.

However – from the ethical point of view – if there is a scam – the TOP MAN (Head of the Organization) cannot escape culpability – and the TOP MAN must be held accountable for corruption in the organization which he heads.

When Corruption takes place – there can be four scenarios – as far as the Top Leadership – or “TOP MAN” – is concerned:

________

1. THE TOP MAN INITIATES THE CORRUPTION

The corruption/scam is done at the behest of the leader.

The “Top Man” initiates the corruption.

(of course – the corruption may be implemented on ground by morally pliable juniors).

Thus – in this case – it is the “Top Man” who is directing and presiding over the corruption – and the obsequious, subservient and “flexible” subordinates facilitating, helping and participating in carrying out the corruption – and also enjoying their share of the “pie” in the loot.

If you observe the various scams in the news these days – you will realize that most present day corruption falls in this category – it is the leader who initiates corruption.

__________

2. THE TOP MAN IS INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPTION

A corruption “system” (systemic corruption) may already be in place in an organization – and the “Top Man” joins in and becomes a part of it.

The “Top Man” starts participating in the corruption.

Here is an illustrative example:

“X” joined as the Boss of an inspection organization on deputation.

He had not served in that organization before.

At the end of the first month – “X” he found an envelope with money in his drawer.

On inquiring, he was told that this was his “share” in the “hafta” or “mamool”.

He took the envelope and put it in his briefcase.

Thus – the “Top Man” became a part of the “system”.

_________

3. THE TOP MAN TURNS A BLIND EYE TO THE CORRUPTION

The “Top Man” knows that there is corruption going on in his organization – but he turns a blind eye to the corruption.

He looks the other way – and he does nothing to stop the corrupt practices.

He does not want to “rock the boat” or “ruffle feathers” – so he lets the corruption happen unhindered.

Whereas in first and second examples of corruption – the “Top Man” (leader) was guilty of “commission” – in this case – the “Top Man” is guilty of “omission”.

________

4. THE TOP MAN IS CLUELESS ABOUT THE CORRUPTION

The “Top Man” is so incompetent that he does not know what is going on in his organization – he is ignorant and clueless about the corruption happening in his organization.

It is possible that he may be faking innocence – pretending to be clueless and feigning ignorance to wriggle out of the situation as we see in some recent cases.

Even if he is genuinely clueless about the corruption in his organization – then he is not fit to head the organization and he must be sacked on grounds of incompetence.

_________

CONCLUSION

It is clear from the four cases elucidated above that the Leader or “Top Man” is fully responsible, accountable and culpable for corruption in his organization because:

It is the Top Man who “INITIATES the corruption”

The Top Man “is INVOLVED in the corruption”

The Top Man “turns a BLIND EYE to the corruption”

The Top Man “is CLUELESS about the corruption”

_________

Yes – it is the “Top Man” in the Organization who does one or more of the following:

1. He initiates the corruption.

2. He is involved in the corruption.

3. He turns a Blind Eye to the corruption and he lets the corruption happen unhindered.

4. He is Clueless about the corruption going on in his organization due to his incompetence and ineptitude...?

_________

Hence – it is the “Top Man” or Leader – who initiates – is involved in – turns a blind eye to – or – is clueless about corruption.

In all the four cases the Leader or “Top Man” must be held culpable for the corruption in his organization.

When a scam happens or corruption is prevalent in an organization – the Top Man cannot shirk responsibility and escape accountability.

Therefore – even if there is a whiff of a scam – or the slightest evidence of corruption in an organization – the “Top Man” must be held responsible, accountable and culpable – and he must resign – or be sacked immediately in order to envisage a fair and speedy investigation.

Before I end – let me tell you that in the Navy of yesteryear – the Captain or Commanding Officer was held responsible for anything and everything on his ship or shore establishment – and if anything went wrong – he was summarily sacked.

However – even in the Navy and other Defence Services – things have changed now – with the Military Leadership taking the cue from political and civilian leadership in the Art of “Management” of Corruption.

There are some exceptions – like a Navy Chief who resigned taking moral responsibility for accidents/mishaps – but in most cases – very few Senior Officers accept moral responsibility for corruption/wrongdoings happening under their command – they try to save their own skins and tend to pass the blame to their juniors.

So – the Military Top Brass is quick in taking the cue from Politicians and Bureaucrats.

In fact – it would be better of things were the other way around – and the political and civilian leadership imbibed values from the military – and this tradition of taking responsibility be followed by political leadership and civilian bureaucracy.

Whenever corruption or something wrong happens – the “Top Man” must be held accountable and punished – instead of passing on the blame to juniors.

If we wish to eradicate corruption in an organization (or in a country or state) – the only solution seems to be is to have a scrupulously honest leader – who is committed and decisive in eradicating corruption – and who is ruthless in punishing the corrupt.

__________

As I said in the beginning – this article is about responsibility, accountability and culpability for Corruption – but the same is applicable universally for all omissions, commissions and actions of an organisation – where the “Top Man” must take full responsibility and be held accountable and culpable – and he should not abdicate responsibility and pass the buck to his juniors.

__________

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. This article is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

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.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Friday, November 20, 2020

“Rankophilia” – Fake OLQ

Military Officers being overly rank-consciousness while in service is boorish behaviour.

But – Military Veterans trying to flaunt their ranks after retirement looks ridiculous – because once you retire – most people don’t give a damn about who you were in the past.

Whenever I see rank-conscious armed forces officers and military veterans – I remember this article I had written a few years ago on the subject...

RANKOPHILIA – FAKE “OLQ”

A Spoof

VIKRAM KARVE

RANKOPHILIA

RANKOPHILIA means Excessive Love of Rank (or Rank-Consciousness).

The greek word “philia” means excessive liking or love.

So rankophilia means excessive love of rank (or rank-consciousness).

And – an overly rank conscious officer may be called a “rankophile”.

If you have served in the Defence Services – you will have come across “rank consciousness” – especially in the highly regimented Army – where even some Army wives are excessively rank-conscious.

I have seen some such Rank Conscious Wives (RCWs) vitiate social life in the services.

We thought that as society becomes more egalitarian – the Army would also become more “modern” – and – “rank-consciousness” would decrease.

But – surprisingly – the opposite has happened – the Army is becoming more and more rank conscious – as more and more senior officers are being afflicted by the disease of “rankophilia”.

You may recall – that – sometime ago – a picture of a General delivering a speech while standing at a lectern decorated with a vehicle star plate went viral on the social media.

A few days later – there was another hilarious picture on the social media – this time a dignitary and his wife (both in civilian clothes) were sitting on a boat (pontoon) which had an army vehicle star plate fixed proudly displaying 3 stars.

I do not know where it is proper to display army star plates and where it is improper – but – we were told that – even while sitting in a vehicle – star plates are to be displayed only when the officer is proceeding on duty dressed in proper uniform.

A fellow “Fauji” Veteran told me that “rankophilia” is reaching epidemic proportions – and nowadays – Generals are using their ingenuity at displaying their stars in all possible ways – even while in civilian clothes and in civilian areas – on golf carts, golf caps, sporting hats, mugs, jackets, doors – almost everywhere where it is possible.

(A witty veteran commented that soon Generals will tattoo stars on various parts of their bodies including on their “xxx” – Ha Ha – I leave it to your imagination...!!!)

For military officer – being rank conscious may be fine – while he is in service.

But – some of these snobbish types even try to throw around their “erstwhile” rank after retirement.

(Ha Ha – some veterans will object to the use of the term “erstwhile rank” – and say that rank is for lifetime – okay – fine – but surely – after retirement – a senior officer becomes an “erstwhile” senior officer – actually – he becomes a civilian – since your rank has no authority/power once you retire – and – you are on par with any other veteran or civilian citizen)

A few years ago – I witnessed an amusing spectacle of a retired erstwhile senior army officer trying to pull rank and jump a queue for renewing his CSD Canteen Card – despite the fact that he was now a “retired nobody”.

Of course – he was put in his place by those veterans around him – and he was curtly told to get into the queue.

The chastened rank-conscious snob beat a hasty retreat.

A friend told me that a similar scene happened in a bank during the annual “life certificate ritual” for pensioners – when a bank employee curtly told a retired General to get into the queue – while saying that – as far as the bank was concerned – all pensioners were equal.

I have seen some of these “rankophile” officers being totally ignored at veterans’ meets.

Some “smell the coffee” and mend their ways – and they mix around with everyone – while others withdraw into their shells and get isolated – and are never seen again at these veteran get-togethers.

I can say from my experience that the navy is much better than the army in this respect – and – even very senior officers quickly forget about their rank after retirement – and interact freely with everyone (In fact – many officers are not rank-conscious even while in service).

TYPES OF OFFICERS

When I was in the Defence Services (Navy) – I observed that there were Two Types of Officers:

1. GOOD OFFICERS (Genuine OLQ)

These were the confident type of officers – who carried themselves with poise and dignity – they were well-bred, polished, cultured and courteous.

These “good officers” were honest, transparent, fair and upright in their conduct – and quite humble, modest and down-to-earth in their behaviour.

These officers did not need the “crutches of rank”

In fact – by their exemplary demeanor – these officers enhanced the dignity of the rank they held.

They always put “service before self...”.

These “good officers” were role models for their juniors to admire and emulate.

They truly epitomized the term: “An Officer and a Gentleman”.

These Officers displayed Genuine “Officer-Like-Qualities” (OLQ)

2. CAREERIST STATUS CONSCIOUS SNOB (Fake OLQ)

Then there were the insecure type – who were excessively rank conscious – haughty show-offs who believed in the dictum:

“Boot your Juniors and Boot-lick your Seniors...”

They were unabashed ambitious careerists – who put “self before service...”

For them – their rank and status were everything.

For these insecure types – rank, promotion and their military career was the “be-all and end-all” of their life.

They knew – in their hearts – that they lacked genuine “Officer Like Qualities” or OLQ.

So they faked OLQ.

These snobs faked OLQ by using bluff and bluster, pulling rank and overdoing the “Rank Has Its Privileges” or RHIP syndrome.

These Officers displayed FAKE Officer-Like-Qualities (OLQ)

For these “Fake OLQ” types – rank was everything – because they knew – that – without the crutches of rank – they were Zero.

So – they wanted to get promoted at any cost – and they were prepared to go to any extent – and stoop to any level – in order to achieve their sole aim of getting promoted to high rank.

It is this insecure and ambitious type of careerist officers – who often misuse their rank – and get involved in scams, scandals and unethical acts and tarnish the good name of the service.

Such careerists may get promoted to high rank – but by their unethical conduct – they terribly damage the reputation of the entire service.

Snobbish and pretentious behaviour is a sign of Low Self-Esteem.

Yes – Low Self–Esteem that is the root cause of RANKOPHILIA (Excessive Love of Rank or Rank Consciousness)

FAKE OLQ

Rankophilia is “Fake OLQ”

As I told you at the beginning – the greek word “philia” means excessive liking or love.

So – “rankophilia” means excessive love for rank

And – an overly rank-conscious officer may be called a “rankophile”

A STORY FOR RANKOPHILES

Do you see individuals with inflated egos, status-conscious people, pompous persons, egotistical snobs and rankophiles around you – individuals who seem to be afflicted with rankophilia...?

Maybe you can tell them this “inspirational story” – in the hope that they will introspect, reflect – and change for the better.

DROP YOUR EGO

(AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY FOR STATUS CONSCIOUS SNOBS)

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of Tofuku, a cathedral in Kyoto.

One day the Governor of Kyoto called on him for the first time.

He gave his visiting card to the attendant and sought audience with Keichu.

The attendant went inside and presented the visiting card of the Governor to Keichu.

The visiting card had the following words engraved on it:

Kitagaki

GOVERNOR OF KYOTO

The Zen Teacher Keichu looked at the visiting card and said to the attendant:

“I have no business with such a fellow. I do not want to meet him. Just tell him to get out of here...”

The attendant carried the visiting card back to the Governor with apologies.

The attendant told Governor Kitagi what the Zen Teacher Keichu had said.

Governor Kitagi said:

“I made a mistake. I will correct my error...”

The Governor asked the attendant for a pencil.

The attendant gave the Governor a pencil.

Then – Governor Kitagi took the visiting card – and – with the pencil – Governor Kitagaki scratched out the words “GOVERNOR OF KYOTO”.

Yes – Governor Kitagi scratched out the words “GOVERNOR OF KYOTO”

Now – the visiting card carried only his name:

“Kitagaki”

Governor Kitagaki then gave the visiting card back to the attendant and said to him:

“Please take this visiting card to your teacher – and ask him again – if he would please give me an audience...”

The Zen Teacher Keichu saw the visiting card and exclaimed with happiness:

“Oh – it’s that Kitagaki...? I want to see that fellow. Send him inside immediately...”

_______

MORAL OF THE STORY

So – that’s the secret of how to overcome rankophilia.

If you want to get rid of RANKOPHILIA – just DROP YOUR RANK and DROP YOUR EGO.

Yes – while in service – and – especially after retirement:

DROP YOUR RANK – and – DROP YOUR EGO

Why is everyone so obsessed with rank, status, power, wealth, fame and other egoistic trappings...?

Your INDIVIDUAL QUALITIES matter much more than your RANK.

Your EXTERNAL RANK will go away one day

but

Your INTRINSIC WORTH will remain with you forever – and maybe – it will be remembered as your LEGACY.

And – once you retire – what matters more are your PRESENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS – rather than your PAST RANK – which is irrelevant in modern egalitarian society.

Dear Reader: Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This blog post is a spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

Copyright Notice:

This is a Revised Version of my Article Posted Earlier in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog by me Vikram Karve at 7/11/2013 04:45:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/rankophilia-love-of-rank-or-rank.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/01/humor-in-uniform-rankophilia-fauji.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/04/rankophilia-fake-olq.html