Anna, corruption and some immature doubts

Anna & corruption: I hear and see these words everywhere. Just few weeks ago these words were rarely heard, but one could definitely experience the second word in all walks of life. In spite of being omnipresent it had the ability to remain invisible and most of us just refused to acknowledge it. But now, all of a sudden its status has changed; its presence is being accepted. Many are even terming it a villain and voicing against it? Where were all these people all these days? If these many people are against corruption then how come it seeps into every thread of our existence? Is this movement really about corruption? Do the people want a change or are they just giving vent to their frustration about everything?

So, Jan lokpal bill will make politicians and bureaucrats accountable. Well & good! The joint committee to draft the Jan lokpal bill will have 50% government participation and 50% public participation. That also, well & good! However, what i don't understand is that why do we assume that it is only the powerful ones like the ministers or the bureaucrats that are corrupt. Fifty percent public participation does not guarantee anything. The public in India is no different from its representatives. We are an unabashedly corrupt lot. At every walk of our life we sell our conscience for pennies. A bill to make the government accountable maybe a step forward but what about the attitude of the people? What kind of bill can change that?

Everyday while commuting i come across bus conductors who take lesser charge from the commuters and pocket the money by not issuing tickets. Here, not only is the conductor corrupt but also the commuter who does not mind being corrupt for a sum as meager as Rs 1 or 2. In a city where hundreds and thousands of autos ply, very rarely, you find an auto with a meter that is not tampered. These are just few examples. Corruption is rampant at every place, right from your house to your place of worship. Really, can't tell if it percolates downwards or seeps upwards through osmosis but it does reach everywhere.

Corruption is in our blood. How do we take it out of our system? Correcting a wrong is always right...but the question is, who corrects whom when all are equally wrong?