A revelation
In our country, there is a new two tier caste system that goes beyond the haves and have nots. The new upper class is those in power, a small minority. They oppress the new lower class, those who are without power. This is the majority and it includes people of all religions and walks of life. Just walk into a government office and you will see what I mean. We stand meekly in front of arrogant authority who do their best to make life miserable for us. We become their servants simply due to the fact that we are there to conduct rightful business related to our personal property.
Just because we need an official signature on a legal document does not make a government official an arrogant master. They are there to serve and the only service they do is to themselves and their pockets. Unfortunately the system is such that even a clear and well delineated document is called a "problem". That "problem" can only be solved when palms are greased. Even if we don't want to commit adharma, we are often forced into it. Otherwise it can take months or years for a simple transaction.
If the educated are affected, just imagine the plight of the under- or uneducated and those on the lowest rungs of society. In my experience I have seen numerous instances of such abuses of power. In one case, a village accountant in connivance with the revenue inspector and the Tahsildar changed documentation of land belonging to someone. That person did not know it was rightfully his. When he accidentally learnt that land that was in his name was being sold to another, he started a case to set things right. The same officials who committed the wrongdoing now misused their authority again and claimed that in order to set things right, it would be very difficult. The word "difficult" for a government official is code for "money needs to be paid". How will a poor landowner oblige when all he has is land and little money? Few lawyers would take up such cases as they know the "judge" in these cases is money. Nobody cares for ethics in office.
Having seen such abuses, I have also observed that those officials who are involved usually have miserable personal lives. Divorces, truant and disobedient children, early onset of grave and terminal illness etc abound in their lives. The reason I bring this out is to make the younger crop of government officials who have just entered or recently entered tenure take this to heart and make efforts to change the system. I realize it cannot change overnight, but organic change can happen slowly and steady if the young wake up.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
Just because we need an official signature on a legal document does not make a government official an arrogant master. They are there to serve and the only service they do is to themselves and their pockets. Unfortunately the system is such that even a clear and well delineated document is called a "problem". That "problem" can only be solved when palms are greased. Even if we don't want to commit adharma, we are often forced into it. Otherwise it can take months or years for a simple transaction.
If the educated are affected, just imagine the plight of the under- or uneducated and those on the lowest rungs of society. In my experience I have seen numerous instances of such abuses of power. In one case, a village accountant in connivance with the revenue inspector and the Tahsildar changed documentation of land belonging to someone. That person did not know it was rightfully his. When he accidentally learnt that land that was in his name was being sold to another, he started a case to set things right. The same officials who committed the wrongdoing now misused their authority again and claimed that in order to set things right, it would be very difficult. The word "difficult" for a government official is code for "money needs to be paid". How will a poor landowner oblige when all he has is land and little money? Few lawyers would take up such cases as they know the "judge" in these cases is money. Nobody cares for ethics in office.
Having seen such abuses, I have also observed that those officials who are involved usually have miserable personal lives. Divorces, truant and disobedient children, early onset of grave and terminal illness etc abound in their lives. The reason I bring this out is to make the younger crop of government officials who have just entered or recently entered tenure take this to heart and make efforts to change the system. I realize it cannot change overnight, but organic change can happen slowly and steady if the young wake up.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam