Corruption has now become an integral part of everyone's lives. It literally exists everywhere, in every nook and corner of the world. We must all have 'experienced' or come across corruption in some way or the other, which left the feeling of frustration and helplessness within us. Let's be honest here - No field has remained untouched by corruption, be it education, healthcare, governance, or corporate systems. Even our basic day-to-day lives suffer from corruption. But is this justified? Is corruption ever justified? The answer is clearly a 'NO'. This is exactly where the concept of Anti-Corruption enters the picture which is the only possible antidote to uproot the problem of corruption is by strengthening the legal system, where the money and power often work hands in gloves, complementing each other.
So as to acknowledge and amplify the impact of anti-corruption globally, International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated every year on 9th December. The United Nations established the UNCAC (United Nations Convention against Corruption) with the aim of raising awareness about corruption itself. UNCAC was indeed a significant milestone in the global mission to curb the corruption levels worldwide. Yet, an important question still remains unanswered: Are the proposed anti-corruption laws just on paper or are they really being executed efficiently? This is exactly where the reality hits hard. Corruption is cancer undercover, and if it is left untreated, it has the potential to lead any arena of life towards fatal and horridious outcomes. Just like diagnosis of cancer is necessary, diagnosing corruption too is essential and not 'optional'. If corruption is left unattended, it can lead to deep distrust among everyone, from the big shot institutions to the common public. It also keeps the capacity of hindering development in the areas of economy, politics, social structure, environment, and beyond. Corruption doesn't show its results instantly, it works like a slow poison where its results pop up, out of the blue without any prior intimation.
If anti-corruption systems are made even stronger and more transparent, the above situation wouldn't have ever arisen. Just imagine, sectors like education and healthcare functioning efficiently without the unethical weight of bribery, shortcuts, or dishonesty. People will be drawn towards acting ethically rather than resorting to corrupt practices maybe out of fear or frustration. While this vision seems to be a bit hypothetical at first, a transparent system is definitely the key to strong economic growth and social well-being. When people like us are no longer stressed by corruption and its allied activities, progress becomes smoother, faster, and more inclusive for sure!
Ultimately, the strength of any society lies in building and most importantly maintaining the bond of 'Trust'. As humans we all agree, once trust is broken and faith is lost, rebuilding them becomes extremely difficult. International Anti-Corruption Day serves us an important message, that we should never normalise, ignore or accept Corruption. Come what may, we must fight against it and never give up, because if we do, it is inevitable for us and our future generations to be wronged and be shackled by corruption.
-Nitya Oza
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