Corruption is a Hindrance in the Development of a Country

1. Corruption is a global phenomenon. Corruption is a disease in both endemic and epidemic.

2. It makes mockery of administration, development and democracy. Corruption in public life has reached an alarming stage and has emerged globally a sensitive issue.

3. The level of corruption has also increased substantially in India.

4. Corruption breeds out of dishonesty and illegal behaviour of the people who misuse their official position and authority.

5. The World Bank defines corruption as the use of "Public office for private profit."

6. Corruption has various manifestations which we encounter in our daily life.

7. Corruption is not only the mother of black money but often supports criminalisation.

8. Out of the fear of law the black money which is dumped, does not come into use for the development of the nation.

9. Corruption deters investment, prevents economic growth, distorts prices and undermines the faith in the obedience of law and governance system.

10. It is an anti-national act which perpetuates injustice and violation of Human Rights.

11. To cherish the dream of transforming India into a super power, the malaise of corruption has to be rooted out from our society and body politics.

Corruption in India

"Corruption free government is not a necessary condition for rapid economic development. If the corporate and institutions work and uncertainty is checked, progress is possible". -S. Swaminathan

Corruption in any form is treated as an incurable disease, a cause of many social and economical evils in the society and it damages the moral and ethical fibres of the civilization. Indisputably, it is correct that corruption breeds many evils in the society and once corruption starts taking place, slowly and gradually whole country passes through its net and it becomes after sometime an incurable disease. From the point of view of economic growth, there seems to be no clear cut correlation between corruption and the economic growth of a country. There may be presence of some social maladies like inequality of income among the people, moral degradation of people due to the prevalence of corruption, but the parameters of economic growth which are taken on percentage or an average basis are entirely different.

can find several countries having corrupt regime but yielding excellent economic results and other countries with clean regime showing very poor results in terms of economic prosperity and growth.

Transparency International publishes every year lists ranking corruption in various countries. It has just come up with a list of the 10 most corrupt rulers; According to reasonably authoritative local estimates," Numerous Uno is Indonesia's 'Suharto' who is estimated to have skimmed off $15-35 billion. He is followed by the Philippines Marcos ($ 5-10 billion), Zaire's Mobutu ($ 5 billion), Nigeria's Abacha ($ 2-5 billion), Serbia's Milosevic ($ 1 billion), Haiti's Duvalier ($ 300-800 million), Peru's Fujimori ($ 600 million), Ukraine's Lazarenko ($ 114-200 million), Nicaragua’s Alemai ($ 100 million) and the Philippines Estrada ($ 78-80 million).

This list is neither complete nor exhaustive. Saddam Hussein and his cronies might have skimmed more than some of the above rulers.

Now the point of discussion is: Why do some corrupt regimes do very well and others badly?

If we take the case of Indonesia, we see the income of Indonesian’s quadruple to $1000 per capita under the regime of Suharto. Indonesia’s economy during 1980-1990, showed miraculous uptrend, graduating from a mere commodity producer it became a big exporter to manufacturers. During this golden period under Suharto poverty, infect mortality and fertility plummeted while the literacy soared high. The era ended in ruins during the Asian Financial Crisis, but that event upended regimes from Korea to Bangkok. The achievements during the period had remained impressive and remarkable.

On the other hand, Mobutu left Zaire poorer and in more desperate condition than ever, like Nigeria and Haiti, where too, no progress was made. Marcos and Fujimori tried to rebuild the collapsing economies amidst lot of praise for their efforts, but the prevailing corruption and maladministration eroded the initial gains seriously.

If we look at transparency international's list of 133 countries ranked. In order of corruption, we will find that the well-off western countries all figure in the top of 35. Singapore, the most successful developing country, ranks at 5, Botswana Africa's star performer, ranks at 30, the Scandinavians are generally regarded the most honest (Finland is No.1) and the USA comes a bit lower at 18. Paradoxically, some of the poorer countries are also among the most corrupt and some of the less corrupt are progressing.

Again it is difficult to find any correlation between corruption and economic growth. Some of the fastest growing countries in the world are also in the bottom half of the corruption list. China stands at 66, India at 83 (alongside Malawi), Russia at 86 (alongside Mozambique) Vietnam at 100 (alongside Guatemala and Kazakhstan).

Corruption in long run may destroy the whole society morally, ethically and economically. May be in the long run, a country needs clean government to reach the top of the income ladder, may be rapid income growth by itself induces better accountability and governance, may be corruption in long run degenerates the society into several misfortunes and evils. But one fact still stands out: Clean government is not a necessary condition for rapid economic growth.

Bangladesh stands at the last of list of 133, yet it has been growing at five percent annually for a decade. Italy, the most corrupt country in Western Europe, has been one of the fastest growing economies. Corruption is often a good predictor of eventual economic crisis, yet when Argentina (92) went bust, the ensuing financial crisis also consumed its neighbors Uruguay which ranks at 33.

The puzzle to ponder is why does corruption coexist with both good and bad economic performance? Why has India over the decades grown more slowly than Indonesia despite less corruption?

A survey conducted for World Development Report some years ago, find one answer. Businessmen in surveyed countries said that the main problem with corruption was that it increases risks and uncertainties. The risks declined dramatically, if corruption produced reliable outcome (as in Indonesia). If all players have to pay 10% and could sure of getting their licenses (Madam Suharto was called 10%) entrepreneurs could treat this as just one more tax, factor it into their calculations of profit and so could invest with confidence of sure gain. Most businessman fear the arbitrariness where some entrepreneurs pay huge sums in vain, while others pay little or nothing and succeed. This happens when there is much discretion in decision making.

It also happens when some decision makers are corrupt and others are not. India is such a country where entrepreneurs are not sure of the things, some decision makers are corrupt and others are honest. One more crucial things about India is the rule of nepotism, rule of criminals and blackmailing through other modes even after paying demanded money. Arbitrariness in decisions, unreason ability of demands makes the business wary of dealing in such cases. There is a saying in India that we have honest politicians, who take money and do the needful, dishonest politicians who take money and do not deliver the goods and madmen who do not take money at all. In this lexicon, Suharto was both honest and sane and delivered the goods.

The worst situation is when the ruler extorts without giving anything in return, this seems to be a case in Zaire and Nigeria. Finally, the quality of institutions seems to be the most important factor for the growth of a country. If the institutions work even moderately well, progress is possible even if money is skimmed off at the top. But if the institutions are incapable of enforcing any rights, corruption will hasten economic collapse.

So far Indian economy is concerned the slow progress is the result of lack of decision making at higher levels. Many politicians who takes money but could not enforce their will because of powerful lobby of bureaucrats at many places and in a democracy like India, voice of media, voice of opposition could suppress the wish of the leader. Ours is a peculiar democracy where politicians are corrupt but not authoritative, ours is a multi-party system where leg pulling for no cause, accusation without any evidence is common. Instability in political system is also responsible for the slow economic progress where the Prime Minister is always busy in satiating the coalition partners to keep attached. So far quality of institutions are concerned we are having well matured corporate and the fast development reflected during the last years, has brought stability in the country and good relations with the neighboring nations.

India’s economic growth on an average 6% GDP despite considerable corruption is because of the stability and the liberalization measures taken by the present government, gradual privatization of various sector, reducing bureaucratic intervention in routine work and other measures adopted by the government. It is important to note that growth in some States, where institutions are strong and decision making is least arbitrary is faster than other States.

In brief, it can well be concluded that corruption and economic growth has no clear correlation. Strong institutions, political stability, fast and reasonability in decision taking are some of the requirements for fast economic growth.

Corruption in India

Corruption is today a world-wide phenomenon. In our own country some people in high positions lave been charged for it.

A corrupt person is termed immoral, dishonest and unscrupulous in his dealings. His disregard for honesty, righteousness and truth results in his alienation from society. He is treated with contempt. But as erosion of values leads to decadence, remedies for the social malaise remain elusive, and so no amount of contempt can eradicate corruption which is a symptom of decadence.

Corruption is the most virulent when crises everywhere threaten the very existence of the society and the faith in life is shaken. It has always been there like tie leech, but when the system grows weaker and the boat flounders, it gets bolder and drains its victims of the last drops of their blood.

The older the system the weaker it grows and fails to solve the riddles of life that grows more complex every day. So men lose faith in it and let it drift down. At this point corruption takes over and plunges the entire society. After Second World War the old system with all its values was left in a shambles. The crippling effects of the war, the recession and depression, and uncertainties in a faithless world of maimed and moribund encouraged cynicism in a section of the population.

This section included the government officials dealing in essential commodities. They found the post-war conditions ideal for fishing in troubled waters and jetting richer. They formed a sort of vicious circle in which moral values and honest intentions no longer held valid. The flourishing black market in essential commodities, adulteration of even baby- food, bribery, fraud and economic, political and administrative manipulations with an eye on earning profits has brought untold misery to the people.

One would say the corruption in India has an ancient lineage; it is sanctified by tradition. The author of the Arthasastra made some remarks on government officials of his time which are relevant even today: "Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey or the poison that finds itself at the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up at least a bit of the king's revenue. These in the post­war world became only bolder while eating up government money and accepting bribes.

Today, when India is free, these officials representing all government departments are very close to the most corrupt businessmen who are too unscrupulous to let any opportunity of amassing profits slip. This collusion broadens the base of the vicious circle and corruption spreads 'like wild fire to engulf the entire society. The political and social guardians depend only too much on the richer communities and they look indulgently on while these communities hold the entire society and the government to ransom.

Corruption starts at the top and percolates down to the whole society. Such corruption cannot be confined to the towns alone. It is as widespread in the villages where the dishonest officials and the traders carry the germs of the disease. The tyranny of confusion and price rules the land and the people are helpless victims of corruption everywhere.

Corruption the price of Democracy

"Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by corrupt few."

—George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman

It is often quoted that monarchy is a merchantman, which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock and go to the bottom; a republic is a raft, which would never sink but your feet are always in the water. While absolutist or despotic governments are undoubtedly a no-no, democracy is one form which is in sync with the form and spirit of the citizenry of today.

For it must not be forgotten that while the institutions of governance, though they are important, they are not superior to the citizen. It is this individual who imparts all the meaning and importance to them.

However, with the passage of time this has been reduced to an idea that had existed sometime in the history of politics. As Ralph Waldo Emerson puts it, "Every actual State is corrupt...what satire on government can equal the severity of censure conveyed in the word politic, which now for ages has signified cunning, intimating that the State is a trick?" Quite true, for all the power now stands usurped from the citizens and the politicians and bureaucrats wield the clout.

Though India is one of the largest democracies in the world, with all the trappings of a well-defined structure— parties, assemblies, elections, free press etc—it still appears to be mere gimmickry, with rampant corruption almost everywhere.

In a democracy, the concept of people's participation is emphasized on. The people's participation in our democracy, though, is limited to casting ballot once in five years, and here too, the poor, illiterate and gullible folk are fooled into voting the same set of deceivers to power again and again.

And what a choice they have—an assorted list of those with criminal backgrounds, one set that is embroiled in a bank scam and the other in a hawala scam. If one has been caught taking money on camera, the other has been different in only the way that he has been clever enough not to get caught.

Political parties, as one would like to believe, are born of ideologies where like- minds confer and resolve to represent and work towards their common belief. As time goes by, the ideology is pushed back to gather dust and the personalities begin to take lead. The party that had originally given the men a standing is sidelined and the personalities start corrupting the body, and as a result their conduct is steadily governed by the rules of power play than by reasoning.

Looking at such a scenario, it is more than evident that simply holding sections does not signify a political democracy. The citizen of today would swear by the liberalism and advantages that are promised by the concept of democracy, but in truth he would rather not have the men who have twisted it to suit their end.

A democracy does not mean doling out largesse to benefit the supporters in order to retain them as supporters—giving away petrol pumps, gas agencies, various licenses, land etc—nor does it make room for nepotism. Yet, all this exists.

In a democracy, one does not have to bribe at every step of the way to get the smallest of things done, or to pass through an unwieldy bureaucratic tangle for the tasks that can be accomplished through simplest of procedures. And that is the very reason why the zeal and enthusiasm has been replaced by a general sense of frustration and apathy.

The representatives have been given a great deal of free hand. The current picture with the coalition governments is all the more bleak. Precious time, money and resources have been spent in just keeping the allies in good humor. (Public Welfare—well what is that? We'll see when we have time!). The principle that works here is that you scratch my back and I scratch yours, if not, then the 'dog eats dog' policy will operate.

The citizen has to realise that it is time to call for his due. In the existing state of affairs, there is no parity in, for instance, a government servant serves for minimum of fifteen years and maximum of thirty to forty years of his life and then gets entitled to receive pension, while a politician has to serve only a cushy five years where he may or he may not do any substantial work before he begins to get his pension.

In another notable condition, while the ordinary man knows nothing but waiting for the most basic of facilities, the big capitalists are gratified for they fill the coffers of the parties. The politicians use this money, gained through unlawful ways to fund the election campaigns, and therefore initiatives, like disclosure of assets are strongly resisted by this coterie.

It is ironical that the people's representatives must go abroad for medical treatment, while the masses do not even have access to primary health services in many areas. The birthdays of political bigwigs are celebrated in a manner that would berate the magnitude of celebrations on the occasion of a festival, while countless people are falling prey to factors like starvation—one of the many afflictions that plague the country.

Wisdom decrees that answer to the abuse of formal government lies in strengthening of the individual character and growth of the self beyond its narrow attitude. And crux of the matter is that all the efforts targeted at banishing corruption from our lives cannot bear fruit unless the existing democratic setup is given a shake up and reminded of its real essence that has unfortunately been long forgotten.

The Indian National Satellite Systems (INSAT)

The Indian National Satellite Systems (INSAT) in one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia- Pacific region. In the 1980's, it initiated a major revolution in India's communications sector and sustained the same later.

The satellites of INSAT system, which are in service today, are INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT- 3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, and KALPANA-1, GSAT- 2, and EDUSAT INSAT-4A. The system provides a total of about 175 transponders in the C, Extended C and Ku-bands. Being a multipurpose satellite system, INSAT provides services to telecommunications, television broadcasting, weather forecasting, disaster warning and search and Rescue fields.

The INSAT system serves many important sectors of the Indian economy. INSAT is providing Mobile satellite service besides providing VSAT service. Today, more than 25,000 very small aperture Terminals are in operations.

Television broadcasting and redistribution are also have been benefited by INSAT. Social development through exclusive channels for training and developmental education has become possible through INSAT.

Telemedicine network in taking medical services to the remote and rural population. The launch of EDUSAT, the India's flat thematic satellite dedicated exclusively for educational services, has provided further fillip to the educational services offered by the INSAT.

INSAT system is also providing meteorological services through Very High Resolution Radiometer and CCD cameras on some of its spacecraft. This apart, cyclone monitoring through meteorological imaging and issue of warnings on impending cyclones through disaster warning receivers have been opertionalised. '

The INSAT system uniquely provides geostationary platform for simultaneous domestic communications and earth observation functions. The first four generation INSAT series (INSAT- 1A, -IB, -1C and ID) were all US-built and launched by either US or European space launch vehicles. The INSAT-class satellites are joint ventures of India's Department of Space (DOS), Department of Telecommunications (DET), India Meteorological Department (IMD), All India Radio and Doordarshan. Overall co-ordinateion and management rests with the inter-ministerial INSAT Coordination Committee (ISS).

The satellites are handled from the INSAT Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka.

With the aid of the first generation INSAT series, telecommunications expanded comiderably by providing inter-city networks and trunk routes. The meteorological service was integrated into the INSAT series. So it is a novel three-in-one concept that provides satellite television broadcasting communication and meteorological services from a single platform.

By the end of the first generation INSAT systems, ISRO had developed its own capability to build the second generation. The second generation has improved capabilities in newer frequencies and an improved radio meter for weather observation.

How Good is India's strategic relationship with Russia?

The strategic partnership between India and Russia was signed during the visit of president Putin to India in October 2000. It lays down the broad contours of bilateral relations between India and Russian federation in the 21st century.

The military and technical cooperation are the core areas of strategic dialogue. An agreement was signed during the visit of president Putin to India in October 2000 which consists of the establishment of Inter-Governmental Commission for Military Technical Cooperation (IGCMTC).

In November 2001, the India Prime Minister visited Russia and the latter agreed to lease two projects related to nuclear powered multy-role submarine. The strategic cooperation was further boosted up with Putin's visit in 2002 and Indian PM's visit to Russia in 2003. There is also an unspoken determination between Russia-India-Beijing to counter USA's unilateralism in central Asia.

India and Russia also took steps towards re­establishing multipolarity in international politics and ten agreement were signed during

Vajpayee's visit which are related to science and technology, space, earthquake research as well as a number of bilateral banking accords and to review their defence relationship at the highest level.

The strategic partnership also supported the steps taken by India in jammu and Kashmir in combating international terrorism while India affirmed support for Russia in Chechnya to protect its territorial integrity and constitutional order.

An Introduction to Cryogenic Engine

The cryogenic engine is crucial to development of GSLV (Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). Cryogenics refer to technology of sub zero temperatures and cryogenic engines use liquid oxygen as the oxidiser and liquid hydrogen as the fuel. Use of the liquefied fuel instead of solid fuels helps the engine produce greater thrust.

The engine's capability is thus of placing a far heavier payload. The technology is complicated use of special insulation and materials that can withstand temperatures of minus 200 degree or less (the boiling point of liquid hydrogen is minus 253 degree Celsius) is necessary.

On February 16, 2000 ISRO crossed an important milestone in the development of indigenous cryogenic upper stage for the GSLV when the first cryogenic engine was ignited at the LPSC (Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre), Mahendragiri.

The engine had employed liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The test of the first cryogenic engine had several accomplishments such as fabrication, assembly and integration of complete cryogenic engine.

The engine made by LPSC was expected to be used as the upper stage in the third launching of the GSLV. The upper stage of earlier launches of GSLV would be powered by engines and systems imported from Russia.

The advantage of the cryogenic engine was that it would develop one-and-a-half times the thrust of conventional liquid rocket engines using fuel storable at room temperature.

The GSLV is capable of injecting 2,500 kg class communication satellites into Geo-synchronous circular orbits at an altitude of 3,600 km. It is a high risk high technology and would help bridge the gap between the number of satellites being made by India and the vehicles needed for their launch. The gap is expected to be bridged in three to four years.

India pays $70 million to Arian space for launch of INSAT satellites. By gaining the capability to place multipurpose satellite in orbit, this amount can be saved. Besides, India can enter the multi-billion dollar market for launching communications satellite.

The realisation of the cryogenic technology would also help India to become a partner in space explorations and activities of other countries. On August 13, 2001 the central government has approved the ISRO's project to send a payload to moon for which India has got capability and technology.