Importance of Integrity in public life - This essay written by R. Arvind, student of Institute of Company Secretaries of India, bagged Third prize in the online essay competition organised on the theme "Integrity and good governance" to celebrate the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The term ‘integrity’ has multiple connotations. Two are important and relevant to our study-----------------
1. Quality of being honest and having strong moral principles;
2. The state of being whole and not divided----------------especially, territorial integrity of a nation.
When India became free in 1947’ the name of Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhiji were hailed aloud but the name of key-architect of the freedom, Vallabhbhai Patel got drowned in the din.
Patel’s contribution was significant and singularly precious. Overcoming the dogmatic resistance of the Nawabs, Maharajas and Kings (combinedly termed as the “Princely States”). Patel engineered the effective integration of the Indian Nation. The mere impossible Herculean feat was wholly due to the Iron Man’s sagacity and patriotic fervor.
COMPLICATIONS APLENTY
In the run- up to the D- day, many knotty problems and explosive issues had to be resolved. The woes of an exasperated and overburdened Mountbatten were further compounded by the 565 Princely rulers. Their territory occupied over a third of India’s land surface. They were adamant in retaining their kingdoms and were pipe-dreaming that Mountbatten, who was brokering the transfer of power, would be their savior. It was against the basics of geography, illogical and ridiculous, while the large majority caved in reluctantly to Mountbatten’s irresistible charisma and the staring eyes of Sardar Patel, two of them- The Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab Of Junagadh-refused to budge arguing that their kingdoms were predominantly Muslim-populated. Patel was left with no option but to subjugate them with guns and cannons.
Kashmir was a major issue. Three fourths of its population was Muslim, and it was contiguous to Pakistan. It was taken for granted, therefore, that it will go to Pakistan. The Hindu King of Kashmir, Karan Singh, however sprang a surprise and said he will accede to India! This was a bitter pill for Pakistan and an infuriated Jinnah secretively dispatched an army of fierce Pathans to forcibly occupy Kashmir. The move was, however, effectively countered by Patel who, with the aid of Mountbatten, sent a strong army of veterans that tore the invaders into shambles.
The entire operation though commanded by Mountbatten, was conceived and directed by Patel who had earlier made it absolutely clear to the Viceroy that no mercy would be shown to defaulters.
THE LAST MOGHUL
Rightly termed ‘The Last Mogul ‘and ‘Iron - man of India’, Patel was the proud architect of composite India. Unflinching loyalty to motherland earned him the epithet “SARDAR”, MEANING ‘fearless one’. His uncompromising moral integrity was a challenge to Mountbatten at an awkward moment when the English rulers were intent upon retrieving themselves from the quagmire .and scamper away as expeditiously as possible. Patel was the only authoritative voice in the Congress ranks- one, who could rival, or even dispute, Mountbatten’s supreme authority. The Viceroy had the greatest respect ---nay, even fear ---for Patel’s uprightness.
Sagacious men talk less, don’t brag and avoid display of emotion even in desperate situations. Sardar Patel was always sangfroid with rocklike calmness; at the same time firm and determined. The top men in Congress, particularly Nehru were given to bursts of temper and dejection but Patel’s cool temperament was admirable. In a way, it reflected the way through which the two grew up. Born and bred in opulent circumstances, Nehru was a luxury child, not exposed much to hardships and problems. Contrarily, Patel came from a poor peasant family in Gujarat and, as a famed writer put it ‘he was Indian from the uppermost lump of his bald head, to the calluses of his feat ‘. Ostensibly Nehru and Patel hardly got on amicably together. As the taciturn 20th century ‘mogul’ who had moulded Gandhiji’s Congress, Patel was a stark realist while Nehru was a socialistic idealist. Further Patel cared little for power and Pelf. On a certain occasion, after an argument with Nehru, Patel pulled out a sheet from a letter pad on the table and swiftly scribbled out a one –line resignation which stunned everybody-----particularly Mountbatten. He was truly a realist.
Young Patel was sent by his father to study Law in London. There he would not use even the public transport but walk twice ten miles a day to attend college including the convocation day when he received Bar -at –Law degree. He never saw the London of the Mayfair drawing room where Nehru had been an honoured guest.
PRECEPT AND PRACTICE
Men in public life should never forget that they are being watched by the multitudes. Leaders have the responsibility of guiding their folks properly and adhering to such precepts personally. “Yatha Raja Thatha Praja”. The teacher should be his own first student. Mere pedagogy and pedantry will only earn ridicule. Shunning publicity and leading a simple life, Patel lived true to his avowed principles. He was frugal not only in money (which of course he could not afford) but in words as well. He would not utter a superfluous word. However, whenever he spoke, he was clear and candid.
Today’s politicians and leaders in every field, contribute little to arrest the degradation in moral, cultural and ethical standards. Contrarily some political ‘leaders’ even give the impression that demoralization and decay is not bad at all because the soul concern is power and aggrandizement. He is safe as long as people wallow in ignorance and need. Truly abominable is political profanity. Today’s politics is meant to hold on to power, all the time engaging in vulgar innuendo to criticize opponents.
I would cite a real instance. During the last elections, a meeting took place in a slum area. Party workers descended on the venue prior to the scheduled time to spruce up the spot with dozens of prohibited cone- mikes, flags, festoons and streamers. The meeting took place on an important thoroughfare which was closed to traffic for two days! When the leader arrived ‘humbly, with folded hands ‘he was profusely garlanded and vociferously hailed. As anticipated, his speech was replete in nasty abuses of the opposition candidate and empty promises.
Occasionally, unable to bare the obnoxious stench (the trait of slums), the speaker covered up his nostrils with a handkerchief. Yet, he never ventured to give a word of advice to his audience on the need to improve sanitary conditions and hygiene. When the meeting was over, a lens man asked him why he avoided a remark about the stench. Pat came the reply. “Sanitation and such trivial things are not important. If I criticized the people, it will be rubbing my vote bank on the wrong side”!
GANDHIJI’S GENUINENESS
Compare this callous indifference to Gandhiji’s genuine concern for the folks. At the time the parleys for India’s independence were feverishly going on in Delhi in the early summer of 1947, Gandhiji arrived in the capital. To the dislike of the Congress leaders and the Englishmen, the Mahatma decided to take up residence in the ‘Bhangi’ (scavenger colony) in Old Delhi, unmindful of the oppressive summer heat and the reeking odour of human excreta that pervaded there. The next morning Gandhiji armed with a bucket and broomstick, set out to personally do some cleaning. The Congress volunteers joined him and the Bhangis were shocked to realize the unhygienic state prevailing in their colony which they had to learn from a person like Gandhiji At once, they embarked on a wholesale cleaning up operation. In a couple of days operation clean up saw a spic and span Bhangi colony , completely rid of filth and stench!
Will the ‘Netas’ of today rise up to such a commendable level instead of existing solely in pursuit of power and wealth?
Vital areas (like healthcare) are devoid of discipline and integrity. Our medical fraternity ought to realize its obligation to the poor and needy. There is lavish publicity of Government measures for the aged, indigent and so on, but there is no tangible effect. At least, they do not percolate down to the intended beneficiary thanks to corruption and red-tape. The initiative, therefore, should come from the medical profession which should climb down from the ivory tower and assume a spirit of service. The exorbitant charge levied by them scares away the poor from quality medical care.
…..AND THE BEURACRACY
The higher ups in Government echelons should realize the duty to the common man. The Government employee is there thanks to the tax payer. Discipline and benevolence being a prerequisite in all professions, it is more important in Government offices. Enough has been said over and over again that we must strive for a society totally devoid of corruption in any form. Colleges and educational institutions have embarked on lusty loot. A medical seat costs 30 lakhs, engineering seat slightly less. ‘Capitation fee ‘is demanded for every college seat. Even in a kindergarten school the poor parent has to shell out a minimum of Rs. 10.000 for admitting a toddler. There was a recent newspaper report that the price tag for the chair of Vice Chancellor in a university may run up to a crore! It’s a different thing, however, (and a consolation) that the incumbent will reap a hundred times that investment during his tenure.
Corruption eats into the very vitals of our society. None is to blame but the society itself. There must be two parties for any transaction. Here, the bribe-giver is more culpable than the receiver. As long as there are empty headed givers, there will be no end to corruption. Black markets, again, are sponsored-evils --------sponsored by the black market buyer. It is a well known fact that corruption, like God, is EVERYWHERE; the religious arena not excluded. Some religious bodies (like Mutts and internationally famed shrines) have set in motion mammoth corruption. The sponsor again is the foolish people, ever ready willing to yield to temptation, delighted to be cheated! While on this I would narrate an episode that shows how honesty and integrity ought to be in religious field.
The Late Kanchi Mahaswamigal was known for absolute piety and probity. A disciple, himself a well-to-do man, once came hurrying and placed at the Seer’s feet a hundred rupee note. The Swami was amused because the devotee has been giving in lakhs and thousands to the Ashram. The single hundred, therefore baffled the Acharya.
Said the devotee; “Respected sire! I found this lying on the road. Unable to locate the owner I will donate it to the Ashram “.
The Swami said “Take it away. We do not indiscriminately take money from all sources .You are not the legal owner of this money and have no right to donate it. It is flawed money. You have no right to gift it and I won’t accept it because it is anonymous money. “Can honesty be demonstrated better?
Our people go by false notions of piety. There is a belief that by giving to a ‘sacred cause ‘, accrued sins may get wiped out! Fine. But the question arises, how sacred is the donated money? Was it honestly earned, free of evil?
And, we see wads of high denomination currency notes amounting to crores often ones thrown into the hundis of famed shrines. Apparently, the anonymous donor is scared to come out in open. Why?
It is like the robber who made an ‘agreement ‘with God. “Mr. God! Bless me with good business and I will deposit half of the loot in your hundi! “
God, Save our nation from the prowling jackals that masquerade in the guise of religion, politics, education, health and so on. Grant commonsense to the vacuum headed.
JAI HIND! LONG LIVE THE MEMORY OF SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL.
BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCES:
1) Freedom At Midnight By Larry Collins And Dominique Lapierre (A Vikas House Private Ltd Publication; New Delhi)
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