Stem the tide of social evils

CORRUPTION is a manifestation of greed, while lust and ego lie at the root of abuse of women and discrimination against them. Similarly, anger and hatred are fuelling conflicts in various parts of the world.

All social evils stem from spiritual deficiencies. The sufferings of the victims can be alleviated with moral and material support as well as counselling, but spiritual education and empowerment are needed to cure the malaise at its root.

Take the case of corruption. In societies where corruption is pervasive, campaigns to create awareness about the undesirability and ill effects of corruption don’t go far.

Those who are socially aware and active may take it upon themselves to combat corrupt practices wherever they see them, but most people have no time, energy or inclination for such activity. They are resigned to corruption as a fact of life and live with it.

Stringent laws also do not make much difference. Those who are driven by greed find ways to go around laws. Even those who enact laws and those responsible for enforcing them are sometimes involved in lawbreaking.

The only solution is to change people’s mindsets so that the very idea of corruption becomes anathema to them. This will happen when the right values are fostered in them.

When people realise how honesty, truthfulness and integrity enhance their worth as a human being, they desist from dishonesty. No legal or administrative measures are then needed to stop them from doing anything wrong.

These individuals are then guided by virtues in their actions and their spiritual strength enables them to resist negative influences even in the most trying circumstances.