The story of Satyendra Kumar Dubey has touched me tremendously like no other news from India in recent months. It makes me ashamed of the corruption in India, but also makes me feel proud of the brave people who stand up, and leaves me with a sense of tremendous hope that our motherland will change for the better.
For readers of the Vedic Journal who do not know the story, here is a brief recap. A bright, young graduate from IIT, Satyandra Kumar Dubey was not only technically bright, but had a backbone too. A civil engineer from India's best engineering college, Satyendra could have chosen to go abroad and significantly improve his standard of living, like an overwhelming majority of his fellow IITers. But he chose to remain in India and play a role in developing its infrastructure. He soon became the Deputy General Manager in the National Highway Authority of India, and was working on the 60 km Aurangabad-Barachatti segment of the golden quadrilateral highway in Bihar.
On November 11, 2002, the Prime Minister's Office received his letter. Satyendra called the PM's highway showpiece, 'a dream project of unparalleled importance to the nation'. But, his objective to write the letter to the PM was not to praise him, but to seek help in eradicating corruption in the project. He highlighted several instances of 'loot of public money' and 'poor implementation'. Satyendra requested that his name be kept secret but at the same time, he let his identity be known for good reasons. He wrote, 'this letter is being written after careful thought by a very concerned citizen who is also closely linked with the project. I request you to kindly go through my brief particulars (attached on a separate sheet to ensure secrecy) before proceeding further;The PMO's office ignored the request of anonymity. The bureaucratic shuffling of paper began from different government ministries and agencies- Satyendra's name was exposed throughout the trail. Satyen was also unceremoniously transferred to another location.
On November 27, Satyen was shot dead in Gaya, Bihar. He was only 31 years old. Satyen could have chosen to keep quiet. He could have chosen to, in fact, to play the game and enrich himself. But, he stood up. He paid for his life for having done so.
Satyen's death must not go in vain. Not only his murderers, and the people who hired them must be punished; but also, a law specifically designed to protect whistle-blowers must be enacted without delay. Also, the leak must be investigated, and the PMO should answer some basic questions.
'Satyameva Jayate' is our nations guiding principle. Let us put it in practice. Some have. Shailesh Gandhi, a fellow IITer was deeply touched by Satyen's murder. Shailesh is the President of IIT- Mumbai Alumni Association. He convinced Satyen's family to accept the goodwill of the people and accept financial aid, after they refused such help for weeks after his death. Satyen, the second son of seven brothers and sisters, was the main breadwinner. He was not only supporting his parents but also educating his younger brothers and sisters. Shailesh, as a concerned Indian and a fellow IITer, equally principled and aspirational, decided to raise funds through the alumni network. He worked only through Email with his IIT network.
Even Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, chief of Infosys jumped in and pledged to make up for any gap to the target. Shailesh wrote in his email, "We propose to collect fifteen lakh rupees. Please send crossed cheques not exceeding ten thousand rupees and not less than one thousand rupees in the name of Bageshwari Dubey (Satyen's father). We are keeping an upper limit to ensure participation by a larger number of citizens. Do not pay until it hurts, and you are prepared to use the hurt to further the cause of an honest India." He then advised fellow Indians to:- Contact friends and hold meetings, discussions and demonstrations to do justice to Satyendra's martyrdom. "He has given the ultimate sacrifice; it will not be in vain if we give our commitment:
- Implore the PMO and NHAI to take accountability for their actions (or inactions) and punish the guilty.
- Issue a press release by Narayana MurthyI was very inspired not only by Satyen, but also by Shailesh. I proceeded to interview him.
The following are key excerpts.
1. What made you fight for the cause? The major issue in this case was that an honest Government employee had approached the highest executive office with a plea to stop corruption. Instead of action being taken against the corrupt, the voice that spoke against corruption was silenced. If a Citizen cannot feel safe after complaining to the PMO, what would be the position of anyone who goes to a police station? The absence of security at the highest level was the real issue.
2. Besides helping the affected individual's family, do you have any hope to change the nation's direction in corruption? The primary hope is to convert and catalyze the revulsion against dishonesty and corruption. After along time the apathetic English speaking elite of India has been stirred towards action to cleanse the Nation.
3. How should we fight corruption? What is the solution? The seeds of corruption lie in our acceptance of dishonesty. The elite in particular is quite content with advancing its own agenda. While paying lip service to honesty, most businessmen, professionals and others are quite happy to draw the benefits from corruption. Honesty - quite often - calls for giving up instant advantage. We have been selfish and short-sighted and have clamored for instant gratification. It is a fact that honesty and ethics have not been on the forefront of our agenda. Satya is the biggest Dharma. Without Satya, there can only be Adharma.
4. You are also a business person - have you also played the 'game' to succeed, or you truly believe that we can succeed in India without playing the corruption game. I have refused to play 'fraud' to succeed. I have never given bribes to get a favor. Whenever bribes have been extorted, I have felt it was a weakness in me. The overall scenario - where society does not generally care about honesty, does make it a little difficult to succeed with honesty in the pursuit of money. But wealth and values are far bigger virtues than money.
5. What is your personal vision for yourself? For the country? I feel a sense of failure to see an India, which is worse on a rating of values and ethics than the one I inherited. In terms of money, I have increased my inheritance, but on a scale of wealth and values I am responsible along with my generation for the depletion. I would like to see this Country being a torch-bearer to the world in values and ethics; an India where the weakest is protected, an India that the world will look up to.
6. What is your advice for the under-25 generation of India? Be the change you want to see. Only we can make the change.
Mera Bharat Mahaan Nahi Hai, Per Yeh Dosh Mera Hai.
In summary, if people like Satyen and Shailesh continue to exist in India, we still have eternal hope that our country can still become great along all dimensions. Our strong Vedic Heritage will continue to inspire and create such inspirational individuals who selflessly fought for our motherland! You can also get more information on how you can get involved by visiting www.skdubeyfoundation.org
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