Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: cheat

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Saturday, December 21, 2013

LESSON IN CORRUPTION

LESSON IN CORRUPTION
An Apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Constantly seeing news about corruption and scams hogging the headlines on TV, like the recent building scam, I recalled this apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story:

While walking on the road, a shabbily dressed Mulla Nasrudin, who was struggling to make both ends meet, ran into an old friend, his school classmate.

The friend was driving an SUV and was smartly dressed in expensive clothes and wore a gold watch. It was clear that he had made it rich.

The friend took Nasrudin to an expensive five star hotel for sumptuous meal.

Looking around with awe, as it was his first visit to such a luxurious and opulent hotel, Nasrudin asked his wealthy friend: “How did you make so much money?”

“I became a builder and made my money in the building business. It is a very lucrative business. See that tall building over there. Half the cost of that building went into my pocket,” the friend said boastfully.

A few years later the friend met Nasrudin in the same five star hotel, wearing the best of clothes and dining opulently, enjoying the best of food.

Surprised at the fantastic metamorphosis, the friend asked Nasrudin the secret of his tremendous success and how he had made so much money in so short a time.

“Shipbuilding...!” Nasrudin answered.

Seeing the confused look on his friend’s face, Nasrudin took his friend to the magnificent seaside lounge of the hotel, pointed towards the sea and said: “Do you see that magnificent ship?”

His friend looked carefully towards the sea, scanned the horizon.

But he did not see any ship.

So he asked Nasrudin, “Which Ship? Where is the Ship? There is no Ship out there. I can only see the calm blue sea. I don’t see any ship...!”

Mulla Nasrudin gave his friend a canny smile and said: “The shipbuilding business is even more lucrative than your building business. The entire cost of the ship went into my pocket.”

MORAL OF THE STORY (for Scamsters Only)

Building a Ship may be more lucrative than building a Building on land.

You can disappear a ship, but you cannot disappear a building on land.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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.

Did you like this story?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook

If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie I am sure that you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com

Twitter: @vikramkarve

Sunday, May 5, 2013

HUMOR IN CORRUPTION

HUMOUR IN CORRUPTION
An Apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Constantly seeing news about corruption and scams hogging the headlines on TV, I recalled this apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story:

While walking on the road, a shabbily dressed Mulla Nasrudin, who was struggling to make both ends meet, ran into an old friend, his school classmate.

The friend was driving an SUV and was smartly dressed in expensive clothes and wore a gold watch. It was clear that he had made it rich.

The friend took Nasrudin to an expensive five star hotel for sumptuous meal.

Looking around with awe, as it was his first visit to such a luxurious and opulent hotel, Nasrudin asked his wealthy friend: “How did you make so much money?”

A few years later the friend met Nasrudin in the same five star hotel, wearing the best of clothes and dining opulently, enjoying the best of food.

Surprised at the fantastic metamorphosis, the friend asked Nasrudin the secret of his tremendous success and how he had made so much money in so short a time.

“Shipbuilding!” Nasrudin answered, and seeing the confused look on his friend’s face, Nasrudin took his friend to the magnificent Sea Side Lounge of the hotel, pointed towards the sea and said: “Do you see that magnificent ship?”

His friend looked carefully towards the sea, scanned the horizon, and as he did not see any ship, he asked Nasrudin, “Which Ship? Where is the Ship? There is no Ship out there. I can only see the calm blue sea. I don’t see any ship!”

Mulla Nasrudin gave his friend a canny smile and said: “The shipbuilding business is even more lucrative than your building business. The entire cost of the ship went into my pocket.”

There is humour in corruption too, isn’t it?

Have a cheerful Monday and good week ahead.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this story?

I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my book COCKTAIL an anthology of Short Fiction.
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

Twitter: @vikramkarve

Monday, May 14, 2012

HOW TO MANAGE CORRUPTION AND SCAMS

HOW TO MANAGE CORRUPTION AND SCAMS

The Story of The Farmer and The Lion from AESOP’S FABLES

VIKRAM KARVE

We watch with a sense of helpless amusement the familiar pattern of dealing with scams, as scam after scam unfolds with alarming frequency.

1. The powers-that-be let the scam happen, though they seem to know all about it. They just look the other way and do not do anything hoping that the scam will never be discovered. It appears that in most cases scams are never discovered and the scamster gets away with the loot.

2. Sometimes a scam is discovered, either by the media, or by auditors, or by a whistleblower. The first response is to say that the allegations are baseless and deny any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the scamster has already stashed away the loot, maybe he has even “invested” it or sent it abroad.

3. This tactic of remaining in denial does work in some cases. But if it does not work and the heat gets too much, then an inquiry or investigation is ordered. This goes on interminably for so long that the scam is forgotten (skillful media management also helps to “bury” the scam) and after a few years the case is closed – after all public memory is short and there are so many scams going on that a new scam soon replaces the earlier scam in capturing people’s attention.

4. If the powers-that-be are not successful in burying the scam, then the investigation and trial continues for years and years.

Since the scamster has already squirreled away the loot, the nation’s money is never recovered. Even is the crook is found guilty he gets a very nominal punishment which he appeals against and maybe gets bail and is a free man.

5. During this entire process the scamster brazenly goes about his business and moves around in society as if nothing has happened.

Unfortunately, in today’s society, there is absolutely no social stigma attached to white collar crimes like corruption and economic offences and scamsters, particularly the high and mighty, are accepted with great veneration and accorded status in high society.

6. The common man loses faith in the system and there is no deterrence for the crooks and scamsters who get emboldened to commit even greater scams more audaciously.

Owing to its helplessness, the society develops a “chalta hai” attitude towards scams, scandals and corruption and soon corruption becomes an accepted way of life.

In fact, for many people, corruption is not an evil but a desirable thing as they have a vested interest and benefit from corruption.

7. Lessons learnt from postmortems of previous scams are quickly forgotten and the next scam takes place in the same manner and the vicious cycle of corruption continues.

Does it require great wisdom to prevent scams?

I wish the powers-that-be read this famous Aesop’s Fable of THE FARMER AND THE LION.

The state of SCAM MANAGEMENT seems to be epitomized in this fable.

Once a farmer heard that there was a lion had come from the jungles and was wandering in the vicinity.

Instead of taking precautions to ensure that the lion did not enter his farm, the farmer was intent on catching the lion.

So the farmer left the gate of his farm open; almost as if he were inviting the lion to enter.

On seeing the open gate the lion entered the farm. He immediately pounced on a sheep which he wanted to carry away to eat in peace.

However, wanting to catch the lion, the farmer shut the gate and trapped the lion.

When the lion discovered that he had been trapped and could not get out, he flew into a rage and violently attacked all the farm animals and livestock and killed all of them and then started destroying the farm.

Now, the farmer got scared and started to fear for his own life so he opened the gate and the lion made off with his kill and went away towards the jungle to eat his meal in peace.

The poor farmer was reduced to tears as he lamented the loss of his cattle and livestock and the destruction of his farm.

MORAL OF THE STORY

Better Scare a thief than try to Snare him.

Do you allow a thief to get into your house, watch him as he steals your belongings and valuables, let him run away and after he has gone away with the loot, you then raise a hue and cry and try to catch him.

I wish the powers-that-be focus on prevention of scams rather than wasting resources on futile time-consuming inquiries and investigations.

Have we forgotten the dictum: Prevention better than Cure

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this story?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

Saturday, April 28, 2012

SCAM MANAGEMENT

SCAM MANAGEMENT

AESOP’S FABLES

VIKRAM KARVE

We watch with a sense of helpless amusement the familiar pattern of dealing with scams, as scam after scam unfolds with alarming frequency.

2. Sometimes a scam is discovered, either by the media, or auditors or by a whistleblower. The first response is to say that the allegations are baseless and deny any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the scamster has already stashed away the loot, maybe he has even “invested” it or sent it abroad.

3. This tactic of remaining in denial does work in some cases. But if it does not work and the heat gets too much, then an inquiry or investigation is ordered. This goes on interminably for so long that the scam is forgotten (skilful media management also helps to “bury” the scam) and after a few years the case is closed – after all public memory is short and there are so many scams going on that a new scam soon replaces the earlier scam in capturing people’s attention.

4. If the powers-that-be are not successful in burying the scam, then the investigation and trial continues for years and years. Since the scamster has already squirreled away the loot, the nation’s money is never recovered. Even is the crook is found guilty he gets a very nominal punishment which he appeals against and maybe gets bail and is a free man.

5. During this entire process the scamster brazenly goes about his business and moves around in society as if nothing has happened. Unfortunately, in today’s society, there is absolutely no social stigma attached to white collar crimes like corruption and economic offences and scamsters, particularly the high and mighty, are accepted with great veneration and accorded status in high society.

6. The common man loses faith in the system and there is no deterrence for the crooks and scamsters who get emboldened to commit even greater scams more audaciously. Owing to its helplessness, the society develops a “chalta hai” attitude towards scams, scandals and corruption and soon corruption becomes an accepted way of life.