A very young man, like me, fresh from college will have a picture of very rosy future before him. It is dark, full of thorns, uncertain in my case-I am an Indian Administrative Service aspirant. In these days of science and technology every young man worth his salt would like to become an engineer, doctor or a scientist. Who would willingly choose a path of pain, poverty, and suffering in this fast age? A path full of uncertainty- path of joining civil services, which takes few to goal. But the way these ‘goal-reaching- few’, bright among brightest, has brought disgrace on themselves every now and then by getting trapped in honey of various scams casts clouds over worth of my dream. Now, as I dream of my future as an Indian Administrative Service servant, I sometimes have difficulty in believing that it is really like that; I am inclined to refute and protest many of the facts, so full of greed and dark is the life of this ‘bright educated tribe.’ But truth is beyond all commiseration.

Some people do be so poor there is no words for it but how one can justify the fact that some people, who do penance for joining as (civil) servant, can be even so rich that there is no words for it. After high talk in interview (essential step to join civil services) once they gain coveted status, a degree of corruption seems inbuilt in their way of working. The pre-morality appears just a lack of an opportunity. When they get caught even red handed they disguise their corruptibility as an act under pressure of politicians but one can not ignite wet woods or fill filled glass. If one is honest till their heart, who would dare to look even eyes to eyes. One can look at the sun only when it is shrouded by clouds. 

Mostly corruption is fuelled by greed or need but in case of civil servants none of both makes the sense as their need are fulfilled beyond needs and they are so much educated, screened that their greed for money at least should have died long ago. George Bernard Shaw says-“power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.” It does not make sense in this case until Union Public Service Commission selecting fools. All institutions are prone to corruption and to the vices of their members but what when the fire of members’ desire becomes norms and burns the institution itself. I am not making any comment on the utility or validity of selection procedure but I must say that in recent times the way civil servants are accused of not only corruption but also different disgraceful charges (encounter, molestation to name a few) makes a mockery of the institution involved in selection procedure. I am not even painting every one with the same brush. There are few holding their head high but exception verifies the rule and cherry decorates the cake only. These honest people are ridiculed, derided as insane, crazy, of unsound mind and what else not whenever they tried to lift the veil. The trivial solution of stringent law also becomes futile since they only execute laws and even bend it for their benefit.

This moral crisis among brilliant mind clan is subtly engulfing the nation and shaking my dream of serving nation as civil servant. Who knows in the age when property gives a man rank, when wealth is equated with virtue, when white painted crow disguise as swan I too confuse of what is moral and immoral and become corrupt once I get the power and opportunities in my plate. As for now my dream is a dream as unanswerable questions looms. Is not education just for wealth and survival and attaining position where systematic loot is possible? Is not one’s brilliancy is a cheque which s/he wants to cash once they succeed? Does not one want to show that they are ahead in race of life by numbers of cars they have? The past experience shows ‘yes’ is the answer and if it is then why this ‘kolaveri’ about corruption. Just loot as much as you can, why to ponder over future of nation or future of my dream; I am in bliss with my dream as dream itself.

Greed breeds nothing but only greed, who cares to pay the heed
Why to cry on others deed, all are plants of same seed
If you can, loot and lead, no place for Gandhi or honest deed.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this report are purely those of the author and may not in any circumstances be regarded as the official view of BiharTimes.