India is marching ahead with the rest of the World and will become a super power by 2020 as per vision of our former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. At the beginning of the 21st century when we look back at our past, since Independence in 1947 and even beyond that in the history of about 3,000 years, it is found that India has made remarkable progress in various fields like economy, modern education, culture, science and technology. In spite of great achievements in many fields there are certain dark areas, which instead of coming to light are becoming still darker. These dark areas are casteism, communalism and corruption. These problems were always there in Indian history. There are several instances of such problems looming large on India's horizon in the past. But is it not a paradox that the more we become IT savvy the more sharp is our conduct in the realm of caste, community and corruption. Howsoever, we deny their general impact on our life and polity but the fact remains that they have become part of our life. Not much has been done to eradicate the three evils of our society. Unless we overcome these phenomena, one does not know how India can ever become a super power.There are many institutions and factors, which are continuously shaping the face of India. The four estates of Indian democracy, the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the Press, play a vital role in shaping the life of the people of India. Besides, other factors that make tremendous impact in the life of Indian are religious institutions, art and culture, language and literature. Officially, all such institutions abhor casteism, communalism and corruption. But in spite of such visible policy these three Cs continuously create havoc in Indian society. India is not as much under threat from outside as it is from within. It is sad to find that large section of society is consciously unaware about their influence.
A large number of people simply condemn them, they do not inculcate in themselves the philosophy of love and equality and probity. Some sections blame other sections of society for such things. The experience is that the so-called modern educated people are more to blame for such attitude. The overall conduct of religious and cultural organisations, the legislature, the judiciary and the Press are far from satisfactory. However, I would confine focus to the bureaucracy, which has been heavily entrusted to deliver the goods to society irrespective of utter irresponsible behaviour of other wings of democracy.
Many in the bureaucracy would deny the existence of casteism, communalism, and corruption in the system. The advice to such a person is to ask about his image and impression from a person of a different caste, a different community and even from people in general.
In the bureaucracy, officers are smart and sophisticated. Some of them resort to these means with finesse to promote themselves. It is found that people belonging to the same caste and community praise the officers of their own community.
In order to make a realistic assessment, a formula has been evolved to arrive at the right assessment and conclusion. When a person praises an officer of his own caste and community, notionally he divides the praise by hundred. When a person of other caste group and community praises an officer, multiply it by hundred.
It is in the realm of corruption that all people, beyond caste and community, may condemn the officer. It appears that only corruption bridges the gaps. Even in the wake of corruption charges the officer gets supports on caste and community lines. There are some institutions, which are engaged in controlling corruption among public servants.
But to check casteism and communalism, bias and prejudices, there is practically no organisation. Let the bureaucracy realise that the three Cs are so much embedded in the system that these corrosions are not easily visible in the bureaucratic frame. If the bureaucracy can rise above caste, communalism and corruption and curb caste and communal violence and hatred India will solve the perennial problems of hunger, illiteracy, poverty, disease, etc. Only then India will become a real superpower by 2020.
