Instant Infamy

The Indian rogues’ gallery seems to have become a popular esoteric club where people from all domains are clawing each other to get early membership. The latest members in waiting are Ramalingam Raju, family members who collaborated with him, handpicked bunch of cronies and the biggest surprise of all, Satyam’s auditors (Rakshak Hi Bhakshak syndrome in play here). Of course a lot of Indian politicians qualify for membership in this celebrated institution hands down, with some of them audacious enough to show traits of hubris in this space.

At the point of sounding naïve, I have always wondered what is it that makes allegedly "educated" motley lot of people go ahead with the execution of economic crimes especially when their detection is most of the times a foregone conclusion.

In this digital age there is almost an algorithmic DNA trail for every accounting fiscal entry transacted. A desperate attempt is usually made by perpetrators of trying to disguise their misdeeds through layers of masking and apparent legitimacy of their transactions. With access to the plethora of forensic accountants globally and other fraud detection measures available to investigators, it is foolhardy, even suicidal to think that one can get away with such grave transgressions for an extended length of time. Of course having access to a battery of smart lawyers who can delay and or prevent incarceration sheltering under technical and legal loopholes is another potential bestseller title.

In trying to account for the current prevalence of economic crimes in our environment laced with performance pressures and deadlines, at least three factors need to be mulled over: the pace of modern life, a general lack of consensus about standards and values to live by, and the level of social alienation fostered by postindustrial society. Yardsticks by which success is being measured have become suspect. The age of instant gratification has become the psalm of the youth today. Materialism and consumerism have become the new mantras to live by. In the process if short circuits, cutting corners and fudging have to be resorted to, so be it. The social fabric of co-existence and living in a manner which is in the larger interest of the community has been torn asunder and the law of the jungle has been voted in.

I am of the strong belief that our present educational system is flawed. We are all taught at a very early age that the road to success is being successful in one’s career to be able to live a good life. Prima facie there is nothing wrong with that goal. Everyone wants to live comfortably and enjoy a good life.

The problem arises in semantics. One wishes that good life needs to be defined in a more meaningful manner where there is focused emphasis on the good of the community and not just on the individual self. I think it is imperative that right from junior school, courses are designed and introduced that expose young minds to the importance of community living and co-existence.

The word family has a lot of depth and needs to be properly understood. Most of us associate this word with our own kith & kin. United Nations as a concept started off with a very noble objective of serving the family of nations. Today it has become a playground for murky politics and furthering of country centric agendas. Wealthier nations are arm twisting smaller underprivileged ones into toeing policies which are in their favor. In return for their support a few lollies are dangled in their path. Nations also need to be empowered and this can come about only through empowerment of their citizenry.

Global warming, depletion of the rain forests, strip mining the earth, erosion of the ozone layer are all a result of thousands of Ramalingam Rajus globally at work trying to make their extra buck. Ethnic cleansing stems from intolerance. In a way we are all responsible for our present predicament and in some way or another have always been in search of our own cookie jars to put our hands and fingers.

All is not lost. The human race just needs to accept its faults and go through a reform and cleansing process. Otherwise the writing is very clear on the wall. Mother earth can only take so much and no more

In closing I suggest people to listen to one particular song from Raj Kapoor’s movie Teesri Kasam, sung by India’s legendary singer and my favorite, Mukesh. The lyrics are given below:


Duniya Bananewale Kya Tere Man Mein Samaayi
Kaaheko Duniya Banayi
Toone Kaaheko Duniya Banayi

Kahe Banaye Toone Maati Ke Putle
Dharti Yeh Pyari Pyari
Mukhde Yeh Ujle
Kahe Banaya Toone Duniya Ka Khela
Usme Lagaya Jawaani Ka Mela
Gup-Chup Tamasha Dekhe, Wah Re Teri Khudaai
Kahe Ko Duniya...

Preet Banaake Toone Jeena Sikhaaya
Hansna Sikhaaya, Rona Sikhaaya
Jeevan Ke Path Par Meet Milaye
Meet Milake Toone Sapne Sajaaye
Sapne Sajaake Toone Kahe Ko De Di Judaai
Kahe Ko Duniya...



Hari Om & God Bless