Erosion of Morality

During last six decades I have seen a drastic change in our society. This change has been more profound for nearly last two decades for whatever reason. The change has been both good and bad. On one side it has made life easy but on the other side we have become captive. There was a time when one could remember hundreds of telephone numbers, today we have to look into phonebook of our mobile to get the number of even dear ones. There is a change in culture, values and norms. Difficult to say whether good or bad. Some changes have unfortunately resulted in erosion of morality. I know its relative. Undoubtedly values of morality change with changing times, but certain basics or fundamentals have to remain unchanged. Honesty has to be honesty; there cannot be change in its value system. This has not changed but the way we look at it has changed. We don’t feel odd about dishonesty, corruption. We have started accepting it as a way of life. Long time back I had read somewhere that honesty is the biggest luxury. And that is true as not many people can afford to be honest. Over a period of time the number of people who can afford to be honest is dwindling and this affects the morality of the society. Greed has changed the mentality and lifestyle. One wants something that one doesn’t deserve and to get that morality is trampled.

There was a time when one would offer a bribe to government employee for a favour. Today one has to bribe even for legitimate things. Unless one bribes the files do not move. Sanctions are not given unless bribes are paid. Be it getting a ration card or a driving licence or water connection. Anything that is to be done as a part of one’s job, is done by the person only after gratification. Taking bribes for illegal activities can be understood, if not justified. But taking bribes to do the job for which one is paid salary is not understandable. This is unfortunate for the country and for every citizen. And I have seen this change in last couple of decades. It pains. These were not the moral values that we had. I havd seen a different world. I will share a true story of a young gentleman. In today’s world his actions would have been ridiculed but somewhere deep in the heart there would be unexpressed appreciation.

This gentleman was affectionately called Bhau (Bro of today’s generation) by near and dear ones and out of respect, Bhausaheb by others. After is B.A. and LL.B. he was selected in the competitive examinations to be Collector of Income  Tax, a position similar to Income Tax officer of present day. He was posted in Nagpur and carried out his duties honestly and diligently. Unscrupulous elements always existed in the society (in very large number now-a-days). One of such elements wanted to bribe Bhau for some illegitimate favour. Bahu’s personality was such that no one would dare to make such an offer. However one day this idiot sent a silver plate with an expensive shawl during office hours to Bhau’s residence. The messenger who carried this told Bhau’s wife that his Sethaji had been to Kashmir and has brought a memento for Bhau. The unsuspecting house lady refused to accept the gift, but ultimately the messenger could convince her to accept it. Telephones were uncommon in those days so there was no way to cross check authenticity of messenger’s version. Late evening Bhau returned home. He saw the gift and enquired about the same. His wife narrated the incidence. There was no tag or a business card to identify the person who might have sent the same. Bhau sat in the reclining chair closed his eyes trying to remember the assessies who might have done this unacceptable act. The word Kashmir was the key word that helped Bhau to identify the person. Few days back a businessman from nearby town Kamptee had asked Bhau if he would like have something from Kashmir, where the former had planned his travel. The offer was obviously declined. This recollection helped to identify the culprit. Bhau called his driver gave him the packet and told him to rush to Kamptee to return the same to the businessman. Driver left with packet and Bhau was restlessly moving around in the verandah all through the evening. He was at peace only when the driver came back and informed him of having returned the gift.

Where can we find such persons and the commitment for the values? It’s rare breed today. Certainly honesty is a very big luxury.

I consider myself lucky that Bhau was my father and eventually retired as Commissioner of Income Tax. I always remember him and his teachings, but more so on Jan 15^th which is his birth anniversary.