I wrote earlier:
in this message a reference to the Emergency era - without realizing that it was the very day - 30 years ago that Emergency was imposed -se weblink : http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/jun/28spec1.htm
" (in 1975 Emergency era) "
Umesh
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Sun, 26 Jun 2005 15:20:20 -0700
Hi,
I think if we establish a system like that of Transparency International's Inter-country comaprison of corruption --to establish corruption ratings -- and compare diff. states and districts - and rate them on a scale -- things can improve. Ofocurse the organization doiong this should be free from influence or pressures.
Transparency International is able to declare India or Colombia as corrupt --since it happens to be based in US (?) which itself has very less corruption -so noone in USA is going to berate Transparency Intl. for its ratings. Similarly, some NRIs in USA or other less corrupt nations can take up the task --for Rating various govt agencies in India. As is well known --- the frank and honest Indians who take up the cudgels while remaining in India - frequently have to risk life and limb and prestige - not only of themsleves but also of their dependents.
Thank God some good men and women are still there -thats why India is running. However, John Kenneth Galbraithe ( a former US Ambassador to India and Harvard Professor and accalimed Economist) said that he started believing in God only after staying in India -- only God could be responsible for the country's functioning (in 1975 Emergency era) -given the chaos in India.
The Ratings system need not be very hi-fi initially --as I learnt on Friday in the seminar - while hearing from a lady who rates various colleges and Univs in New England region in US -inlc Harvard , MIT and hundred more of all types -incl. Monastaries (Seminaries), US Naval Academy, OceanGraphy Inst. . The website is http://www.neasc.org/neasc/aboutneasc.htm -- started in 1885- theoldest rating body in USA. She said that initially the system was very simple. A few Univ. Presidents and Profs. would just go to the institution to be accredited and just see if it looks "All right" and if did they would give them accreditation.
Later, standards were developed so that those who did not make the cut --could learn where they should improve to be given the honors. Now it is a 2-3 year process -including a major self -assessment by the institution for 2 years -and a 100 page report from them. Later a team goes there - Sun - Wed -- and most importantly -- most are volunteers (incl. Univ Presidents nad Mayors ) who go on the inspection. She was 1 of the only 3 people in the college accreditation commission -so costs are very low. NO govt involvement at ALL. Though she said that the Edu. Ministry guys participating in the seminar - can adapt the system to their govt structure.
Rating can be done of corruption in various districts in-- Police -- overall - then various wings -- police stations, head quarters, store houses, training institutions etc. Similarly for military, healthcare system, transportation system, land / city development /municipal authorities, judicial system, road corporations, electricity board, education system, drug inspectors, factory inspectors,customs and excise , income tax , banking regulators, industry promotion etc.
Even politicians from various districts could also be rated later on... though seemingly it is easier to improve from the sides initially - rather than grab the devil by the throat in the beginning.
Any Ideas?
Umesh
PS:
After the recent BPO data theft case - supposed to be wrong data suppiled by SUN newspaper of UK itself to blame Indians -- the question of punishment of culprits -if it really happens --came to surface. http://us.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/25bpo.htm
Given the corruption in Indian psyche - even judiciary - I have had to pay bribes to judicial clerks -to get routine jobs done in courts -- at behest of top lawyers in Jaipur --who himself was dead honest --and took a pittance from our school - despite charging hefty fees from other clients. Even if judges were honest - their clerks had authority to extend dates fro court hearings. The person (plaintiff or defendent) who reaches the clerk earlier or pays more get the date fixed his way. Thats why cases drag for years or decades or generations in India.
I can berate Harvard educated lawyers - who preside and dominate over Harvard Club of India -seem like all Congress party supporters --who are never in the news for cleaning up the muck of the judicial system. http://clubs.harvard.edu/university/hcindia/hcwbdt_s02.html
But given the fact that social fabrioc of India is supposed to be responsible -and USA or West system is presented as a showcase -as a model for corruption Free system or effective and efficeint judiciary -- and I was surprised to find that a 27 year old Latino was sentenced recently to 35 years in prison in the area. In India, the case would have dragged for decades -and the guy would atleast be in his late 30s before he would be convicted.
Ofocurse, if you ask the West - even Harvard Law School or Kennedy School of Govt or Brooking Institute in DC -- they would cite all sorts of research done in USA -and promote strategies based on what they (US) has done in the past. I do not think they would themselves be able to explain how their system became so efficient and effective. If they could then all the graduates of these organizations -from India -who are back in India --would have had some concrete things to do to improve the social fabric of Indian society. I do not blame the western organizations in their inablity to explain the development of their own society -- since it is difficult to look at oneself -- you need to see from afar.
So I think it is outsiders who can better take up the task of explaining the success of US judicial or societal system. Like Nigerian - Prof. Ogbu who provided an illuminating explanation of differecnes in achievement levels of various races in USA.
School system is a very good place to start analyzing any society
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