I find it hard to comprehend the reasons behind rampant corruption in Asian countries, this despite the fact that many of them are forerunner of spreading spiritual values, modesty but when it comes to implementing them, they are the ones who are lacking behind, not only behind but are trailing miles and miles behind.
Growing up in an Asian nation, I have seen the extremes of poverty and riches, I have seen the marvelous examples of spiritual values and selflessness, I have also seen the demons of extreme greed and selfishness. Human rights do exist on books but they are far from realty, as majority of these nations either don’t have resources or will power to implement them , It is the will, I would say….
Though democracies but they are democracy for just those who are in power or who run the show rest are just happy to be alive, elected governments are toppled in a blink of eyes, honest and elected representative are behind bars for decades and some were hanged till dead while few were assassinated, list goes on and on…… but still there is a breed of politicians in India, who come from a very humble background, but as soon as they enter politics their wealth grows by million times and their source of Income is amazingly creative, some have amassed that much by milking a single buffalo, I wonder if a buffalo is on pump for 24/7 can’t produce volume of milk required to make that kind of money, while the others have a perfect excuse of saying supporters have been sending them all this money………supporters who barely can manage to put a loaf of bread on the table for their children. Hard to fathom, but it is a creative excuse, that is what they need to prove their source of income, no documentation required
Politicians have learned creative ways to make money, they wouldn’t hesitate to ask for the donations for the party if they are doing you a favor and favor is if they allow you to live a life of peace, to start an industry or they will allow you a mineral extraction plant or would allow you to produce electricity and distribute it to the consumers at rip off prices, Dabhol power project was one such example of greed and corruption set up by Enron which went belly up, Enron had to face lot of politics and paid a huge price for their shady deals. Politicians are not alone in this game, they are supported by the bureaucracy as none of the projects can be sanctioned or implemented without the approval of a bureaucrat, but they can be transferred or sent on administrative leave without their consent, so it is really democracy for the politicians or the dictators who rule the system and rest of the administration either has to follow them or find themselves on a path to nowhere.
Pakistan has seen multiple military coups and countless deaths, no one dared to challenge the Military rule of Gen. Zai-ul-Haq a military dictator who perished in a plane crash, was responsible for the death of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto father of slain Pakistani leader Bezezir Bhutto who was assassinated right before the general elections of Pakistan and finger of suspicion is towards and military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharaf, who is also a good singer besides being a dictator, democracy is finally back in Pakistan but the irony is that the highest elected head of Pakistan has multiple corruption cases against him, once known as 10% of Pakistan, (He will charge 10% of any project, contract awarded by the government of Pakistan to any individual or firm). Is this what people deserve or they are left with no option but to bear them?
India on the other had hasn’t had a coupe problems like Pakistan but it has a reputation of being bureaucratic nation which sits on piled up files of corruption. Governments change as per the democratic aspirations of a billion people but what does not change is the system and fate of poor people.
Both Nations desire to live in peace and harmony, at least this is what they say, and true to their political heritage and misunderstandings, none means what they say, otherwise Pakistan would not have diverted United States aid package to perfect or modernize their nuclear arsenal to combat growing Indian Military capability. Are we creating another form of Taliban? This time a Taliban with Nuclear capability to destabilize the whole Asian region. We have seen emergence of Taliban which was a creation to combat USSR in Afghanistan is now a headache for the whole world especially for the United States of America. State department has condemned the aggressive behavior of Pakistan towards India and the fact that humanitarian aid and arms provided by the United States are used fight India, is a major concern for Obama administration which foresees a future alliance with India to check the growing influence of China in the region. Despite Billions in Aids from the European nations poor Pakistanis are still waiting for their fair share of help, which will never reach them as it trickles down top to bottom and by the time it reaches to the masses it was meant for, there is nothing left to distribute.
People do wish and desire to live in peace and corruption free society in both nations but political roads lead to various directions. Would they choose path to peace or disaster no one knows.
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