
4 minute read
Resisting the Corruption Raj
from 2011-08 Melbourne
by Indian Link
India is a country of the ‘Raj’. Down the ages from ancient history to its contemporary present, India has had to endure a different Raj; however with each successive era, change occurs and progress is made into the next defining new type of Raj. Whether it is the awareness of the people or a coincidence of circumstance that ensures this change for better or worse, remains to be seen.
While the Mughal Raj ruled India under one dynasty for over 400 years, it did allow for secularism, sciences, architecture and the arts to flourish. With the advent of the British Raj, there were rapid strides in bridging the gap between the East and the West. While some of the reforms introduced by the British have been condemned by historians, others such as the development of a democratic society, have been globally applauded and testify to the fact that India is the largest democracy in the world. Other reforms such as promoting education, legal reforms and the ability to enjoy free thought and speech are boons that have been present and have flourished in the country since the past 64 years.
The Licence Raj which followed the British rule in India allowed a systematic
BY PAWAN LUTHRA
allocation of resources. While, like all things in life, when control is exerted on the economic aspects of life, regulations and red tape can overtake the set objective. For India, the objective of a License Raj was to curtail the free market, and have demand and supply controlled by a centralised agency. After four decades of fighting against the License Raj, its shackles finally had to be broken as economic constraints were jeopardising India’s propensity for growth. However, this freedom and the demise of the License Raj has given rise to another and more serious rule in India – the Corruption Raj.
Over the past few years as rivers of investments have flowed through India and the demand for businesses and products have exploded, corruption seems to have begun pervading into almost every aspect of its persona. Rather than a sense of fair play in business situations, the ability to influence events by contacts and underhand payments seem have become the norm when dealing in various activities in the country.
But the past few months have seen the beginnings of a radical change. There have been instances when the Indian public, totally fed up with the Corruption Raj, has now started to ask questions. Headlines in newspapers and reporters on television are now screaming questions at politicians, and vociferously demanding answers. To date, there seems to be more of spin management from various government officials on these issues, as they make urgent attempts to minimise fallout or sweep them hastily and unceremoniously under their lush carpets. But the wheels of justice have begun to turn, albeit slowly, and it seems that retribution may eventually be at hand. There may be no immediate resolutions, after all, there are many reasons to avoid the answers and politicians are masters at the blame-game. But if enough pressure is exerted, the answers to various corruption issues will come to light.
Perhaps this marks the beginning of the end of the Corruption Raj. And the final dawning of a just and truly democratic Raj.
Spiritual
Chinmaya Mission events
Friday 12 August (8pm) to Saturday
13 August (6pm) Ladies Retreat ‘Madhurashtakam – Discovering Your Inner Beauty’ at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill. For registration call Mahal on 0411 899 554. Last date Monday 1 August.
Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW activities
Sundays, Special Lecture Series
Celebrating 175th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna, 10.40 am to 12noon at Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon.
Sunday 7 August Ramakrishna, the Spiritual Oasis. Talks by Cr. Larry Whipper and Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji
Sunday 28 August Sri Ramakrishna’s Advice to Householders. Talks by Dr. D.P.Chaudhri and Rev. Pravrajika Ajayaprana Mataji. For details on above events call 9745 4320 or email vedantasyd@idx.com.au
Multi-faith Forum on Environmental Ethics
Sunday 9 October, 2 – 5pm (1:45 for 2pm start) at Room: PS-EB.G.02, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus. Hindu Council of Australia together with ARRCC (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change), FEN (FaithEcology-Network) and the UWS Multifaith Chaplaincy have organised a joint multi-faith forum to address the moral and ethical issues involved in tackling the very important problem of climate change, environmental degradation and the prevailing atmosphere of greed, fear and hatred afflicting the humanity. A distinguished panel of speakers representing each of the main religious faiths will address the Forum.
Free admission, refreshments will be provided. Please register online @ www.arrcc.org.au/ecoforum or call 9873 4214; Mobile: 0406 033 704. RSVP latest by 30 Sept. 2011
Miscellaneous
ANSA Open Day
Sunday 14 August, 1pm onwards.
The Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia will run a conference and public open day at SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney. ANSA is a not for profit membership organisation interested in promoting brain health and technologies to enhance brain function. Its approach includes diagnosis and intervention for those with brain disorders, and also encompasses peak performance for those wishing to make a great brain even better. Come and learn more about the brain and how to improve it. For more details contact Sue-Ellen Taylor on 0407 130 222/ 02 6688 8019 or email: sueellen.taylor@bigpond.com
Hindi Divas 2011 celebrations
Sunday 11 September 2011, 10.30am to 3.30pm at Thornleigh West PS, Giblet Avenue, Thornleigh. Contact Tara Chand Sharma on 0409 981 355, Mala Mehta on 0412283677 or Rekha Rajvanshi on 0403 116 301. The
Australian Hindi Committee, the IABBV Hindi School students, teachers and parents and ILASA (Indian literary and art society of Australia) take great pride in celebrating Hindi Divas 2011. We request all Hindi speakers, supporters, teachers and schools/students to join in the celebrations and present a united face to promote India’s national language Hindi. For more details contact Mala Mehta on 0412283677 or 94840707 or email: info@iabbv-hindischool.com ; hindi_school@hotmail.com or visit the website: www.iabbv-hindischool.com
Essay competition
Essay competition on ‘Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi Today’ is open for the year 2011. For details email info@bhavanaustralia.org
Crestwood Badminton Association
Crestwood Badminton Association has a 22 year long badminton playing history in Sydney’s Hills District and players of different ethnic backgrounds come to play here. The Association is looking for new members who would like play badminton regularly. The new members will be able to play on Wednesdays from 7.00pm till 10.00 pm and Saturdays from 7.00 am till 10.00am. For more details contact Basker Ratnam on 0459 183 644.
FUNDRAISERS
Dinner in aid of Maiti Nepal
Friday 12 August, 7pm onwards at Urban Tadka Restaurant, 321 MonaVale