That there is a values crisis prevailing in the modern society can hardly be emphasized. In fact, degeneration of the value system is the main problem of our country today. May be we need to remember the age old lesson learnt in primary classes which very aptly described the problems we are facing today. To quote – when wealth is lost nothing is lost; when health is lost something is lost; when character is lost everything is lost. Not that everything is lost, but if we do not realize the importance of values and act to retrieve them everything will be lost. The chaos is already setting in and anomie is the order. The maddening rush to earn wealth, wealth at any cost, wealth at the cost of others, even one’s own family members has become the key driving force of the society. And look what is happening. Motivated by only personal interests, people are throwing every norm to winds. If proof of this is required pick up the newspaper of any day and read it. And mind it, the news there is only the tip of the iceberg. But what needs to be done?
Needless to say that fear of law has not worked as a deterrent and even as the government mulls more laws chances are that they too may meet the same fate as the myriad of other laws. What we need to realize is that corruption is not due to weakness of law. Rather, weakness of law is bringing many new segments of the society to the fold of corruption. Corruption, it has to be realized is due to weakness of character. It is this that we have neglected. It is this that has to be strengthened. As of now indulging in corruption has become a rewarding experience. The reason is the societal benchmarks that have been set. Our focus on result achievement by all means is the root cause. Thus, a student may resort to cheating to get higher grades. A parent may pressurize and even encourage his child to get higher grades, means right or wrong, not withstanding. So awards are managed, rewards are managed as the goal is to achieve and achieve by all means. Desires are growing and people want something even if they don’t deserve it. People aspire but don’t want to perspire. And lo, what has come to this society! This basic issue has to be addressed and what is right and righteous has to be upheld, respected, and rewarded. The education system is to be overhauled. Right from the school.
There is a very interesting anecdote that suggests what kind of education has to be imparted. Just after independence a school was planned at Wardha by K T Shah. Gandhiji was invited at the place with many other eminent people. K T Shah asked Gandhiji what kind of education should be imparted to children so that the country can progress in the right direction. Gandhiji said that the kind of education that should be imparted must inculcate values. Thus, if he asks the students that suppose he buys an apple for 25paise and sells it for one rupee what will he get and if the answer to this is that he will get jail that is the kind of education that should be imparted. True, there is no justification for seeking an unreasonable profit of 75 percent. But that is the problem. Profiteering these days knows no bounds. There is need to change drastically and the right education is the answer. Otherwise, laws against corruption and corruption will continue to co-exist.
shashwatchintan 