As stated in dictionaries, corruption
means doing anything in an unusual way. That is to say, anything that is done
violating the rules or laws is branded as corruption. In fact, it is not easy
to define corruption in clear, precise manner. If we try to define corruption from
a broader perspective, we find that corruption has many facets. Precisely, negligence
to responsibility, misuse of power, taking privilege, receiving bribe and nepotism
- all are termed as corruption.
In Bangladesh, corruption is seen
in various forms. Mills and factories resort to corruption by bribing to
governmental agencies for taking extra facilities. Teachers do not attend their
classes regularly; rather provide more time to their personal coaching centers.
Doctors, too, are heedless of their errands to their patients. They attend on
their patients in their personal chambers more ardently. When someone neglects
or ignores his or her allocated job, it is also called corruption.
If we peep through the history of
corruption, we will find that corruption had its root in all societies, in all
ages. In prospect of Bangladesh, the practice of corruption is not a recent affair.
The practice of corruption started here ever since the inception of bureaucracy
in the Mughal and British periods. At that time, it was limited to certain
degree. At present the ominous claw of corruption has devoured each and every
sector of the country. According to the reports of ‘Transparency International’,
Bangladesh topped the list of world's corrupted countries five times. As stated
in the report, police department is one of the most corrupted sectors. Our
judiciary occupies the second place in the list. Other sectors including land,
health care, education, administration etc are also shrouded in corruption.
There are several reasons which
are liable for the birth and expansion of corruption in our society. Thirst for
money, lack of accountability and transparency, political depravity, low wage,
deterioration of law and order situation and availability of arms are the
common reasons. Moreover, monopoly of power is also a notable cause of corruption.
The corrupted people do not perceive the very truth that by adoption corruption
they not only harm the society, they harm their families as well. Due to the corruption
of a trifling minority, the whole nation has to bear the brunt. The effect of corruption
on developing countries like ours is inexpressible. The ever-present corruption
in our country is the product of corruption. It sucks up the life blood of our economy and
retard the socio-economic progress of a country.
The world’s history reveals that countries
which are guided by corruption are sure to ruin. Sierra Leone had to experience
11-year civil war in consequence of corruption in every sphere of its governance.
That is why corruption is considered as the nuisance to a nation or society. It is a matter of hope that our last army-backed
caretaker government has formed a commission called ‘Anti Corruption Commission’
the main task of which is to penalize those people who accumulate ill-got
money. Yet, we have to walk a long way to heal our society of such blight. Those doing corruption should be brought under
law and their money and wealth should be confiscated. They should be given
exemplary punishment so as to stop others from being corrupted. Most importantly,
we all must say ‘no’ to corruption from our standpoint and do the needful to
live an untainted life.