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 15th
which is his birth anniversary.
