Increase in the number of Scandals - Is it a sudden rise or better reporting?

Increase in the number of Scandals - Is it a sudden rise or better reporting?

Introduction
Scams are nothing new in India. Since the independence of our nation, scandals and scams have continued to plague the world’s largest democracy. It is ironic that a country which claims to be for the people, of the people and by the people is run by a coterie of self serving political leaders and corporate sultans.

This has always been the case regardless of which political party has been at the helm. Scams in India’s economic and political milieu are a common occurrence so much so that the upcoming general elections are solely being fought on the issue of corruption.

Enterprising and aspiring political leaders are also hopping on the bandwagon as a fledgling anti-graft party claims it has the numbers to threaten the older parties. While the numbers game is the sole concern of all the political players who aspire to make it big, Indian media is forthcoming about the scams that have rocked our nation since the very start.

The rise in the number of scandals is attributable to whistleblowers who have the courage to speak up and a media that is not afraid to point figures at big names.

Viewpoint

• The Global Corruption Barometer by Transparency International in 2013 revealed that 40% of Indians felt that corruption has increased in the nation. 31% said it has specifically increased in the past two years.

The public perception that scandals and scams are rising is a direct result of a proactive media that does not compromise on its values and reports information with objectivity. While there are some instances of paid news or political vendettas, media reports are by and large precise and accurate. Even during the days when attempts were made to stifle media reports, courageous and intrepid journalists have always published important information.

• The expansion of the media industry has led to changes in the ease with which information can be accessed. Social media has changed the way people look at governments and scandals as well. News travels fast and nothing can be hidden from the Indian public for long. International media is equally prompt in relaying information. Scandals are on the rise because people are not holding back anymore.

• India’s dismal ranking in the corruption indices compiled by national and international organizations indicate that our country is indeed plagued with more scams. This is largely because whistle blowers are not afraid to name names. Indian public is fed up of the corruption and even ordinary man is taking on the menace in an extraordinary way. It is not the politicians, but the citizens who are speaking up and changing the scenario.

• Of course, there are instances where scams are strategically exposed by warring factions for political mileage, but this has always been the case. Since the time of India’s independence, political news has always been tinged with controversy and scandals. This is nothing new. What is new is that even political leaders and opportunists are waking up to the fact that corruption is going to become a leading issue in modern times.

Conclusion
Scandals and scams are on the rise in India. People are not afraid to file PILs and activists are taking the courage to act. Why has corruption suddenly become such a big issue? This is because India would have been a superpower by now if successive political leaderships had utilized the funds for the welfare of the people instead of spiriting the money away.

People are fed up of bad roads, power shortages and inadequate social infrastructure. As new parties come to the fore and claim to be the solution, one wonders if it is real change or just another wolf in a sheep’s clothing. Corporate bigwigs are too busy lining their pockets to notice that our scams and scandals will only scare away the investors and reduce the Indian growth story to a mere myth.