Growing corruption ‘intimidates’ centenarian freedom fighter Chandra Singh Negi (104) since it has increased in recent years. Other freedom fighters, who attended Independence Day celebration at Parade Ground on Thursday, are also concerned about rising corruption.
Though rise of corruption disappointed them, they haven’t lost hope. They unanimously feel that strong political will is the only way to eradicate the problem. They hold greed and few other things responsible for the rise of corruption. lackadaisical approach of the Government machinery to do away the corruption, which hampers growth of the nation, irks the freedom fighters. Eldest among the group, Negi suggests ways to end the problem. Though his age doesn’t allow him to speak loudly, in tremulous voice, he said.
“Corruption is growing due to lack of strong political will. The Government should generate strong political will. Young men together should raise their voice against the problem and resolve to eradicate it. Situation will turn from bad to worse in near future, if it is not done so,” Negi feels. Freedom fighter M Singh, who is in his late eighties, gives another idea to keep a check on the problem. “Record of the property of each Government employee, the day he joined the service, should be maintained. After retirement, it should be matched with the property he owned at the time of joining,” Singh said, adding that it would clear the scene. Those would have made assets more than their total salary would be exposed.
Sachidanand Painuli, another octogenarian freedom fighter, and his elder brother Paripurnanand Painuli, who is in nineties, feel that corruption could be eliminated by propagating values among the people. The duo also advocates high moral education at school and degree level. Octogenarian freedom fighter Buddhi Prakash and Udaiveer Singh, who is in his late nineties, feel that elimination of corruption is a tough task. They, however, said, “Though it is tough, it is not impossible. It could be eradicated by ensuring strict action against the corrupt officials at every level.”
Octogenarian freedom fighter Surya Singh Chauhan, however, is not quite optimistic about the end of the problem in near future. Asked, if the problem would come to an end in next few years, Chauhan in a dim voice remarked, “It is difficult. But we should continue our efforts and action to end it.” Septuagenarian Rampratap Bahuguna, youngest among the group of freedom fighters, says that strong political will, which is presently missing, is required to end the problem. “It has gradually increased. It would be come to an end in a similar way, if serious efforts are taken continuously,” Bahuguna feels.