My Corrupted Life

There is not a single appropriate definition of corruption, because every one has their own interpretation, and we all have intellectual openness to think of it according to our own intellect level. I guess the word corruption itself is corrupted due to which; we can’t find the appropriate definition of it.

In my view,
“Corruption is the devastation of someone’s faithfulness through improper mean, like by giving up bribery or using an influential power to attain goals. Corruption means to ditch a grave of our values, integration and dignity.”

The fact is that, all the countries are/were its prey for sure, and we all have to come across this word, now or then in our lives. In the recent years, this word has brought the whole new scenario in our lives. As the time is passing, corruption is increasing, even though the political leaders and the countries are trying to reduce it, but the fact cannot be changed, that it’s a hard nut to crack

Corruption.
Governments, just for the private put on misuse nation’s property without thinking that they have been given some responsibilities to take care of their country like a mother. We are like a child of our country, but unfortunately, corrupted peoples are behaving like our step mother, depolarizing us from the rights, which we should get. Moreover, not only governments, but the powerful peoples are also using their influence to get the things done which they want, on the basis of their supremacy power.

It’s obvious, that if a government is corrupted, the whole nation will be corrupted. Corruption is not only present in governments, but it’s the root cause of every wrong action in private sectors also.

Corruption has ruined my life and many like me have also been affected by corruption in their lives for sure. Bitterly speaking, corruption is going on every where, and the whole world is corrupted. It’s not just the part and parcel of the superior class societies only, but it belongs to all the societies, nations and countries.

If any one asserts, that the corruption is no more in their country, then I would have a uncertainty, because corruption is an ongoing and an endless process. If it ends on one side, it begins its cycle from the other side.

All individuals are corrupted in today modern world, and I m so ill-fated to be the part of it. My whole life, my wishes, my goals and determination in the past and still in the present have been affected totally due to corruption in our country.

People are loosing their dignity for this shameful act and I was puzzled to face many of the corrupted people in my life.

I sometimes think that Why me the part of facing corruption? Why us the part of corruption? Who will listen to our pleadings, when the whole world is corrupted? Why the corrupted people are ruining our lives?

The autonomy to live in the recent years has been snatched from us, and now the life, which we want to spend, is also guided by corrupted people.

Who will end this?
From the specialized doctors to the policemen, from the great politicians to the ordinary civil servant, every one is corrupted in our country.

Corruption started in my life when I was born. Yes, I was an infant and could not judge that what is going on around me. But my father told me, that when I was about to come in this world, the hospital head asked my dad to give extra money in order to admit my mother in a stern condition as there was not a single other hospital nearby, which could offer an urgent delivery. My mom was dying of labor pain, but the head of hospital insisted my father to give extra money as a bribe, and thus my family was forced to be the part of corruption.

Lately, when I was 3 years old, my father decided that I should be admitted to a good English medium school. My admission was not granted in a good school. The school asked my father to give a donation (which was a new form of taking bribe) of about 25,000 rupees. My father admitted me in that school by fulfilling their demand; else I guess that I would have studied in a local school.

I still remember that one of my 6th standard teachers always asked us to give her lunch, and often asked us to tell our mothers to send gifts for her. I was a bit shy student and what corruption is, was little bit known to me so far. But I was very much sure that the teacher was trying to black mailing us. I was fed up from her day-to-day threats.

Once, I visited my Principal and without thinking of my future outcomes, I told him the whole scenario. The Principal called my parents and he told my parent that your child was suspecting and pointing out the flaws in our reputable teacher. But I commented in between, which made my Principal angry. I raised my voice because though I was shy, but not an insane to keep my voice down in front of those reputable people, who call themselves reputed person in society, but in real, are corrupted. My father handled that situation and he warned me not to speak any single word against any teacher from the next time. It was the first time I was motivated to elucidate the real scenario to my Principal, but Alas! My Principal I guess was also corrupted.

The very next day, I was severely beaten by that teacher. She also passed me with the lowest marks in her subject.

This is how the threats are given, when someone wants to raise their voice in any organization, because no body is ready to accept their mistakes and no body is willing to bring changes in this world.

Later on after two years, our Principal was hurled out by the ABC board, because he was caught red handed taking a bribe from someone, who wanted admission of their child in that school. It’s truly said,

“To reach the highest always start with the lowest.”

And my lowest starting was raising my voice at that crucial time. My first action against a wrong deed was not appreciated, but still it gives me immense contentment that at least, I raised my voice and God did justice with me.

Next, when I was in my ninth standard, I worked day and night to pass my examination with flying colors. I got only 81% marks in all the subjects, even though I was expecting the highest of all. I went to our board office and filled a form to scrutinize my papers. The man on the counter asked me, that if I would offer him at least 10,000 rupees, then he would help me to increase my marks through the process of scrutiny. He told me that scrutinize would not help me at all. It’s just a formal form to fill, but the result will not be changed. He also showed me few of his customers, who were about my age and had increased their marks by giving bribe. I was stunned. I was rightly called that man corrupted, because at that level I knew that what corruption was? I went out from there and lost my dedication for studies for the next year.

Corruption is like WHITE ANT, which is surely emptying the dignity of our country. Any ways, I boosted my self, and again worked hard in my 10th standard and this year, I was expecting to get good marks. Alas! I got the same 81% result. But the news was not appalling for me, because I came to know that in the past too, many of the students, who had work hard, got the lowest marks in their exams. This is the fact of our education system and corruption is the only reason that our country education level is not up to mark as yet.

I always dreamt to be a doctor and it was my wish to get into that field after completing my Intermediate. When the time came to get into the best college, I filled out the form, but I was not selected. The reason was given that the final closure of the %age was 81.5% and I had 81.4%. I waited for a year to apply for the admission in the same college. Next year I applied and I was also selected, but the officials during the last process of fees submission told me, that I have to pay 25,000 rupees, if I want to get admission in that college as I had completed my matriculation one year back and according to the rules, I cannot get admission in that college. I asked them that where such rule is written? If that was the rule, then why I was selected? I also claimed that most of the students in your college are mature and I know few of them as well who had been admitted in this college by offering bribe. I was right and that is the only reason, which made their mouth shut. The rangers, who despite of helping me hurled me out, hurled me out. Raising voice and insolent is two different aspects, and I just raised my voice against wrong people and I did what I felt was right.

Why no one wants to raise his or her voice? Why every one fears to face the realities? Who will change the lives of those who are ruining their future just because of corruption? These questions are still unanswered.

My dreams started ruining and thus, I was totally shocked. My aunt agreed to gave bribe, which they had asked for. Even though she was the government professor, she agreed to get into corruption for the sake of my admission. But my ethics, did not allow me to do such wrong act, and thus, I finally took admission as an external student.

I decided to give all the papers in English medium standard, but I was informed by my aunt that if I will give paper in English medium, then I might face difficulties, as the checkers were mostly Urdu (Mother Tongue of Pakistan) medium. I gave all the papers in English, but her prediction was right. I secured lowest marks in two subjects in my first year. I decided to visit controller of examination. At that time, I was quiet assured to do something to catch such corrupted people. I took my handy voice recorder and talked to the controller that I want to see my papers to know the mistakes I have done.

It’s the rule in most of the countries that the papers are not given back to any student after checking. Board only issues Marks Statement. The controller of examination yelled on me and also used abusive language and told his guard to hurl me out.

The whole verbal
abuse was recorded, and thus, I directly visited the top rated news paper agency and gave them that recorded voice cassette, so that they could publish the recorded material in black and white.

I was quiet pleased this time that at least I had raised my voice nationally against such corrupted people. The next day, I saw the newspaper having no such news. I called them and they didn’t recognize and blocked my phone number.

This is what reality is! When some one tries to face the corrupted people and want to raise voice against them to expose such corrupted people, the other so called slaves of corrupted people tries to halt truths; but anyhow, I contacted the local newspapers, and the article was published against their ill-behavior after few weeks. I got overwhelming hold from many people, and was quiet assured that might be our government will take some action against high officials.

After few weeks, that controller was hurled out of his duty and I took sigh of relieve that at least my efforts were not useless.

I completed my Intermediate with flying colors and secured fifth position all over my city. At that time, I was given the golden opportunity in our city press club, to tell my views and opinions concerning Intermediate Board. That was the golden chance for me and I exposed all the realities and problems, which I had faced. On the very next day, my name with interview was published in most of the newspapers of our country. Some newspapers edited my words shrewdly, but any how, I got the support and appreciation from most of the people of our country.

I was awarded 500 rupees a month by intermediate board for 2 years as a scholarship for enduring further studies. That scholarship money was not given to me for a year. I visited them hundreds of time, but sometimes, they were unavailable or sometimes, they refused my application making lame excuses.

But, after a year had passed, I wrote a letter to the Minister of our city about the wrong attitude of the board office officials and thanks to the Minister that my scholarship money was given to me in just a week.

It’s truly said that when the things are not given to us properly, we should use an alternate path to get it.

I decided to do Bachelors in Information Technology. Though it was a new field for me but I was interested in that. So I applied in ABC university and bitterly enlightening the truth as a true human, that I saw the head teachers of that university, involved in taking bribe. I missed the scene as I didn’t have any shooting camera.

I was selected in that university, but I hate corruption and wanted them to be caught red handed. I visited the Principal of that university, seeking help. I told him all the matter which I had seen. He bitterly denied my sayings and told me that that I should forget whatever I had seen; else I would not be granted permission to start my course. That man was also corrupted. I knew that if I will raise voice against them, I might not get admission in other universities as well. I did nothing, but even then, my admission was rejected.

I did nothing against that corrupted university, but started writing articles in one daily newspaper against such burning issues, which no one had raised. Many times, my articles were rejected, but sometimes, I manage to find a column to speak truths. I was also paid remuneration by them, which helped me to complete my graduation level studies. I decided to complete my graduation examination as an external candidate (DISTANCE LEARNING).

When I got admission in my graduation as an external candidate, I met a Navy officer. He was in army, but how he was admitted in such a patriotic job; still I suspect.

That person asked my name. I didn’t reveal my true name in front of him. He told me that if I want, I can help him out in performing illegal acts and in return, he would help me to pass my graduation with flying colors. What he wanted is shocking for me to explain here. I ran off from there and didn’t contact him ever. I met him few times and also told this scenario to our respected policeman’s. They told me that they can’t help me else they would be hurled out of their job, if they take any action against that senior official.

All the governments are yelling that if any citizen wants, they can file a case against corrupted people, but when any one takes action, governments become deaf and dumb, until and unless an influential leader case against them, on which government responds utmost.

When we seek help from government officials, we are never given a chance to speak. Is this what a democracy is? Is this what a civilized society is? Where should we go? From where should we seek help? I can’t face and dealt with all kinds of corruption alone and thus I lost my will power. I decided not to raise my voice against corruption any more, because it would only affect me and no one will give me helping hand against them ever. But fight against corruption was in my blood. I was determined again and I started raising my voice at least to make a bit of difference.

While I was completing my graduation, my father got heart attack, and he was admitted to one hospital. I was quiet sure that without bribe or source, we will not be able to get loan or welfare. We applied for the concession, but it was not granted. The cost for Angioplasty was not in our budget. My father was every thing to me and this time I contacted my father’s friend, who could help us out to get some welfare through his source. He helped us out and thus I was corrupted. Yes I was involved in the corruption to save my fathers life. We all are not angel. If the system is not running effectively in our country then, a normal being like me should not be blamed for using such influential power for getting welfare.

I was corrupted or not, that this whole world should decide, but I guess my decision at that time was right and enough to save my father’s life.

It’s not that only corruption has affected me, this is how corruption has affected the whole societies and the entire nations. Today corruption rules the world rather than democracy. I decided to apply for an admission in a foreign university and for that purpose, one needs passport, which I had to apply for. The whole rush of fake people outside passport office and taking bribe in front of police officer was appalling. They told me that they will make my passport without standing in a queue within 3 days, but they asked me to pay 500 rupees extra, for availing this chance. I was loyal, so I applied by standing in a line.

Despite of getting passport in a month, I got my passport after 3 months from the passport office. I thought what to do against such corrupted people outside the passport office. I visited police station nearby and told them the whole scenario. Thank God that I found at least one loyal police officer there, who trusted me. On the next day when I came there, the numbers of illegal passport makers were about 80% reduced. I came to know that police man had beaten many people and took many under custody for doing such illegal act. Bravo! I fought against corruption.

While I applied for an admission in foreign university, I also thought to do some job. I went to give an interview. The interviewee asked me to show my profile and all the documents. He liked my confidence and skills and told me to wait outside until all the candidates give their interviews. The man sitting just beside me asked me about my interview. I told that my chances to get this job is 99%; but he laughed and told me that he has come here with a letter of his father, who is working in Government sector. Lately, he got a job, but I knew the bitter truth that why he was selected. I can’t do any thing there, but I went inside an interviewee office and yelled, “Is this the lesson you have learnt in your life?”

All the people gathered nearby, and I gave a lecture to that corrupted interviewee that how he has played with all the candidates, just because of one person, who showed him a dominant letter. I didn’t gain anything, but while I was going out, few of the workers told me that, it’s common and they knew this fact, but they were working, because they have to earn their living at any cost to support their family, which has tied their tongue.

I got a letter for a foreign university to show financial statement. We were unable to meet this requirement due to which, my admission was rejected.

Without wasting any time, I applied for my Masters in our city university. I was happy to get admission as a regular candidate. In our second semester, our respected Principal came to us and told us to give 5000 rupees each as a donation, so that the department could buy Air conditioners. Our Principal was our subject teacher too, so he told us that, those students, who will tender this donation, will pass their examination with good marks in his subject for sure. I lately visited The Vice Chancellor of University but he was not ready to trust me. Well, I didn’t give that amount, but was succeeded to get at least 70% marks in that subject. Later on, I came across two universities officials, who offered me a huge sum of money, in order to give graduation paper of other student. They were experts in making fake admit cards too. I was very clever and I lied to give the paper. I saw my admit card with my photo, but the data filled was not mine. Shockingly, the stamp of The Controller of Examination was also embossed on that admit card. Finally, I got that prove, which I showed to our university chancellor on the day of fake paper. That day, he trusted me and finally, those two officials were taken out of that university.

My 2007 resolution was to join hands with my friends to fight against corruption on our own. Few of my friends along with me are very much against corruption going on in our country. So we decided to form Anti-corruption Team. We asked the people via e-mails and phones to submit us complains, which will be kept confidential and we have received many complains till date. We are preparing a report and in the end of June, we’ll submit this report to the Minister of our country or else if I will get this International Platform, I would love to expose the real corruption cases of this world through media exposure.

I hope that many of the people like me are facing such corruption in their daily lives. At least my impact could prepare my students, to whom I am teaching as a private tutor and as a religion teacher, against corruption. My students, their family members and my friends and family always encourage my thinking and my initiatives.

At least, they can learn through my live examples of struggling and fighting against corruption and could prepare themselves to face such tackling situations properly.

My articles and my day to day examples of fight against corruption, is always imparted by me to others, which boosts their thinking and raise their intellectual too to work as a team to raise voice against corruption.

I have also helped many of my friends and the people who have co-operated with me to fight against corruption by confidentially writing letters to our Government officials.

I have also worked voluntary with one newspaper to focus and impart the cases against corruption through my writing.

I can improve my impact only if people, especially International institution would give me a chance to raise my voice by joining hands with me together to fight against corruption. I can also improve my impact by joining Government in the future, so that I could eradicate the roots of corruption under my supervision.

At last, I want to become their voice and hope that my efforts will not go in vain.