Sandeep Heble wrote: "Students from these Institutions were encouraged and urged to join the Nationwide crusade against corruption BY participating in Rallies, writing Essays, Poems, Painting Posters, etc. In the first round, around 25 schools were covered".
COMMENT: I am happy that children are being encouraged to do the above. Writing, Painting and Speaking are all beneficial activites. I am concerned, however, about two elements: One present, the Other missing. PRESENT: Participation in rallies. Is this a platform for partisan political persuasion? Who will choose the speakers at these rallies? Who will be funding these rallies? Will the organisers declare their 'non-corruption' status under oath - before they are allowed to speak or otherwise participate in these rallies? Will these children be BUSED in and otherwise ENCOURAGED (refreshments etc will be provided) to attend the rallies? I am assuming that as these are children, non-coerced CONSENT has been obtained from their parents wrt their participation at non-school events. Or, is it likely that participation has been/ is/ will be as voluntary as the 'enforced Goa bandh'? MISSING: Probably the most crucial element in the drive against corruption. i.e. A declaration (by their parents ....who are providing the consent) that they themselves have not been corrupt, are not corrupt and (by the children) that they will not seek personal advancement via corrupt means. For, it is one thing to call out the name of Mahatma Gandhi and Anna Hazare (and Jesus Christ for that matter), it is another to practice the sacrifice and simplicity of their lifestyles. If Not: It will be like going to church/satsanghs etc every-whenever and listening to boring (or fiery) platitude-filled sermaos/bhashans from corrupt priests and other alleged GodMen (and we all know that there are corrupt folks among this lot) .... or listening to Politicians who will point 1 finger at another politician even though 4 fingers could well be pointing towards the SadhuSant/Saint himself. I also wish to make special mention of three sets of people (one set I consciously ignore, the other two I am involved with): Set One: Politicians: I stay far away from them. btw: I do not believe that there are non-corrupt politicians in Goa. (Leaving aside his family member from this discussion - I believe she is more of Social Activist than a politician), I invite Sandeep to name One non-Corrupt Goa politician. Before he names that person, I am sure he will have done the needful due diligence. Set Two: I have NO place in my heart or in my home for unetical and crooked lawyers who strip the unaware of their land and money by way of title-swiping or 'continuance' of cases before the courts. I have the same feeling towards disordeiro lawyers who will reveal or cause to reveal the identity of their minor clients. I also have NO place in my heart or in my home for unethical and crooked doctors who rip the pockets of their patients, perform unnecessary procedures for gain, receive gifts from drug companies and REVEAL medical details (not required by court) about living or dead individuals; details which they may have come to discern by way of their work. I draw particular attention to the unethical release of sexual details of the hapless athlete who comitted suicide a few years ago or findings of vaginal examination in alleged sexual molestation cases. While I can understand the lurid territory of politics and the 'mostest honesht' folks who inhabit it, I absolutely detest corrupt and unethical lawyers and doctors. Before I conclude this post, I wish to express the following hope: that Sandeep Heble or whoever else is leading this "drive" will publicly declare (and submit to further examination), the following: There are absolutely NO lead individuals in their group who are tainted with coruption......and that ALL funding is non-Kala Pani. IF NOT: Please allow me to classify this as Partisan Gas. sincerely jc
