Mangalore: ‘Lokpal Bill Alone Cannot Eradicate Corruption’ – Santhosh Hegde
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SP)
 
Mangalore, Oct 26: City-based Mangalore Senior Citizens’ Association had organized a meeting at Karnataka Bank Hall on Tuesday October 25.
 
Former ombudsman of Karnataka, Justice Santhosh Hegde, was the chief guest. Ananthakrishna, non-executive chairman of Karnataka Bank Ltd, was also present.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Santhosh Hegde lauded the efforts being put forth by the members of the association, and said such organizations are very much necessary, as they help the senior citizens to keep themselves busy and active, even after their retirement age. Aging process is a pleasurable experience, he felt.
 
Later, laying emphasis on the need to fight corruption, he said that Lokpal Bill alone will not be able to eradicate corruption altogether. He attributed tolerance of the people as the basic reason for the omnipresence of corruption in all fields of life. The general lethargy of the people, who seem to question themselves, “why should I get involved with such fights?” has made the task easier for politicians who want to make easy bucks through corrupt activities. Senior citizens have the lofty onus of teaching the younger generation not to get involved with any illegitimate activities in pursuance of their greed for amassing wealth,” he stressed.
 
He also rued the practice of some associations in inviting corrupt politicians to share the dais with the lone intention of getting some favour from such politicians in return for this gesture. He called upon the youth brigade to develop an attitude of utter derision and neglect towards corrupt politicians. He called upon the people not to extend respect to such corrupt politicians at the public programmes at any cost. He asked the youngsters not to participate in programmes for which corrupt politicians are invited, as such programmes lose their meanings.
 
“The need of the hour is to understand the basic essence of the Indian Constitution, which says that the people are the rulers, and the government is expected to serve the people, and also that the government officials and leaders are mere servants of the people. Over the years, this fact has been forgotten, and the foundation of our constitution has been turned upside down, as a result of which the common people are suffering,” he regretted.
 
President of the association, Jagadish Rao, and secretary, K Ramesh Rao, were present.