It was very interesting to read a write up titled ‘Politics of Shame’ in News Week of 23 Jul 07. It is about China adopting stringent societal norms to deal with corrupt officials based on Confucian ethics.

In this, shame (to society) is valued more than the guilt and crime committed by individual. The nation grants very harsh penalties to people who cause shame to the organization and society. State food and drug administration chief - Zheng Xiayu, has been executed for accepting bribe of $850,000 and approving untested medicines that has resulted in death of 10 people.

Shame has always been a powerful force in China. In fact some of the officials committed suicide after simply being questioned for corruption e.g. A former police chief killed himself in June.

Obviously my mind ran to the state of rampant corruption in our nation and non existent shame. Despite the available proofs, defaulters make all possible alibis to pose themselves as innocents. Should we also resort to the stringent measures like our neighbor? Answer! Probably yes, probably no! Some recent cases are being reflected in succeeding paragraphs for readers to decide on this.

The case of BJP MP (Babu Bhai Katara), who used to get kickbacks of Rs. 8 Lakhs per person (agents received much more) for illegally exporting humans as part of his entourage, is well known. Former CM of Punjab, Amrinder Singh was questioned for Rs 30 billion corruption case relating to construction of the sprawling Ludhiana City Centre (Punjab).

Orissa health Minister Duryodhan Majhi responded to the supply of fake medicines in Government hospitals and feticides in the state and said “I will not resign because I have not made any mistake as a minister”. He further demanded a probe into unseen link among politicians, officials and medicine traders. Sir! You are also in one such category.

In Mokokchung, Nagaland Deputy Inspector of Schools has been accused of embezzlement of funds and pocketing 50% of money allotted for construction of Schools in the district under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Thanks to communitization programme in the state, the official has been brought to book due to vigilance of village councils who refused to give fake receipts. An enquiry is yet to be ordered in to the case.

Recently an unholy nexus between politicians and UGs has emerged in Manipur. On 18 Aug 07, twelve UG Cadres with weapons had been apprehended from the official quarters of three congress MLAs (Brajabidhu, K Meghachandra and Bijoy Koijam) at Babupara in Imphal.

On 24 aug 07, a PLA cadre has been nabbed from residence of sitting MLA, R Kanda of Manipur Peoples Party (MPP). This may be just the tip of an iceberg.

We are also aware of the political nexus with Black window group of NC Hills for drawing Political gains and the result. Possibly this is one of the reasons of unending turmoil in NE.

These people’s representatives keep on crying hoarse, “the situation is very complicated and difficult to handle and centre has been approached to address this.” Probably the nexus has made it more complicated and the same will aggravate further if patronage continues.

May be attack on MLA Salam Joy’s (Manipur Assembly) security personnel and decamping of weapons by UGs was part of this nexus. Difficult to say!

Usual responses of the erring MLAs are: total refusal, claming apprehendees as personal servants with unknown antecedents etc.

It is very surprising & embarrassing that our responsible elected representatives make irresponsible statements like this.

In today’s environment, every responsible citizen is supposed to verify antecedents of the person being employed. MLA Bijoy Koijam has said “the raid is politically motivated”.

Does this also happen? May be it is a part of political arm twisting to keep the defiant in party line.

Honourable CM of Assam has decided to raise one well trained jungle battalion to handle ULFA menace in the state. Surprisingly it has taken three decades to realize the need of such a force or were there political compulsions?

The dynamic of self criticism has also been implemented by China to rout out the problem of corruption. In fact it is time is to learn lessons from our neighbor to carry out constant self analysis conscientiously and display political will to end all forms of corruption plaguing the region and society as a whole. This will pave way to peace, progress, excellence and development of all.

Now is the time to decide. Should stringent measures be adopted against those who bring stigma and disrespect to the society they represent or leave them with mild chiding “please do not repeat it again” as happened with erring MLAs of Manipur? Destiny is the matter of choice we make and not the chance we take.