DEMONETIZATION – Ghandhian Perspective
Author: Prof. Nituj Gupta
Besides
reading the above article, I had a first hand experience standing in the queue
at a bank for withdrawal and could witness many labourers, daily wagers and
students actually standing in queue for a commission.
Yesterday,
I also happened to be teaching, in my class, the Gandhian Philosophy as part of
the “Business Ethics” course and something which had become just mundane
learning for an examination seems to come alive.
Some
of the deadly sins propounded by Gandhiji understood in relation to the
contemporary reality of our society, specially, with respect to students of Graduation
and Post-Graduation. After all, these students are the future of our society,
for the benefit of whom, everything seems to be done.
1) Commerce Without Morality – What is being done by the students
is in some sense, a business.
An opportunity seized
without even knowing whether it is legal and whether they are inadvertently
laundering black money. When business has come in, obviously it is disregarding
the fact that many genuine account holders are not getting a turn because of
them and they are probably queueing up multiple times on the same day to make
that extra buck.
Question is does the
student even understand the commerce.
a) They bunked classes which
is a cost borne by parents or by the taxpayer if they are studying in the
highly subsidized DU system. Which means they wasted someone’s hard earned
money to get something in their own pocket.
b) Even if we keep the
monetary cost of getting education aside, has education become so cheap or
worthless in this country that getting attendance somehow is the only concern
of the student and the value of attending a lecture of a faculty is totally
lost.
2) Pleasure Without Conscience – The money being earned, so to say,
through this is miniscule, surely a few thousands for any of these students is
nothing more than money for some pleasure. Does this future, educated leader of
our society have such a self centered short term approach?
3) Knowledge Without Character – It is getting easier to understand
why multitude of Institutes and a large student population, aspiring for a job,
is largely unemployable. Yet, organizations have a severe shortage of manpower.
The disconnect is here. Without work
ethics any kind of knowledge is useless.
In this same duration, I
also heard a statement that If corruption is curtailed, who will apply for a
Government job. Does it imply a Government job is now synonymous with
corruption and only a handful of people are honest there? Does it also imply
that it is a matter of pride to be corrupt as the importance is only of having
money whatever be the means? Does is imply that anyone who is complaining about
rampant corruption and scams like in the commonwealth games, the actual
complaint is not that it should stop but why I could not get the opportunity to
be part of that ill gotten money?
4) Wealth Without Work – The crux lies here. Everyone seems
to be looking for a shortcut to big money with the least effort. There is also
no shame in this with names and identities also being easily divulged.
The bigger
question? Are these students responsible for this behavior or it is our
education system, parents, teachers, including myself who have by action or
behavior (direct or indirect) shown this path to the coming generation.
Could this
have looked different?
YES – the same action if done with
permission and support of teachers could have made a marked difference. If
commission was not involved, most likely honest citizens would have been
helped, queues would have been much shorter and the country would come back to normal
far more quickly.
Analysts say that black money
hoarders have little in cash, but it is also true that black money is largely
generated at the first instance in cash only. Any cashless transaction always
has a track which is much easier to trace. The educated students armed with
smartphones and in a country where a very large population has smartphones
could have easily utilized their time and energy in educating honest citizens
towards cashless transactions and helping them through the process.
While the big fish would definitely
not be largely impacted if we go by statistics, like the ones having Swiss bank
accounts, are we not concerned with the percolation to the lowest levels. A
recent, ‘Satyamev Jayate Episode’, also cited that we have hit the ceiling on
corruption and the opportunity to the new generation is that they can only make
it better. Take for example, a police constable who owns many flats, cars, etc.
Obviously, the known source of income does not generate enough money to even sustain
all the maintenance expenses of all this. Does it not imply that corruption is
not a means to just build hidden assets but is blatant enough now to be treated
as part of monthly income used openly in a lavish lifestyle. Cashless
transactions will definitely ensure that going forward such incomes cannot be
generated easily.
A win-win
situation where honest citizens are helped, students utilize their energy and
time towards the benefit of society and nation, short term loss of classes is
covered later with extra classes and above all a sense of pride for doing what
is right, exhibiting the right ethics. Result – such students would definitely
be remembered by many when recommending for jobs. The gain would be so much
higher than a few thousands earned now.
Finally,
this sort of experience will happen once in a lifetime. Going ahead would
anyone like to say we contributed positively whatever be the outcome or we
acted like leeches and grabbed the opportunity to make a quick buck from
someone else’s troubles. Shallow seems to be the word describing all these
students who are blatantly indulging in this. Is this the legacy we are
creating, a shallow generation?
Prof. Nituj Gupta
I agree with this blog, Author says about demonetization effect on student career and our education system. I like the way Author express his unique view on demonetization. I am waiting for your next blog on demonetization.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with this blog and Its a great cause of concern where the students future is heading due to this demonitization step taken by our PM though its a bold and positive step towards unearthing black money,but Its a very sad to see students indulging themselves in illegal activities for some commission not knowing its side effects.Pm modi should look into this matter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeletePM is not responsible for each shit DADA. It's our responsibility. If educated people will not support to empowerment then neither PM nor god can do anything. Find your cheese because problems can not be solved by dependency of PM.
DeleteYes it was really regretful that students are goes for like this way .First of all there not any bad impacts on country’s education for the demonetization taken charged by our PM. If I talked about students ethics then it comes first that students should most honest and decent than any other person because they are going to take the responsibility of our country’s growth and development. But apart from this it should be taken in mind that they are learning and it might that they are not enough to decide what is wrong and right. They can do mistakes as many times by influences of any circumstances. Only thing that a citizen can do that never misuse of them just for giving them a little cost so people should change first rather than students.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is seems that in our country all people are always raised their support to stop corruptions. But while its time comes to them for do something they make noise and problems only. In our country few people are becomes very selfish, they not even think for country’s develop they only think for their development and how to absorb country’s wealth. Now at current scenario students are used badly for give those people more profitability especially during this demonetization.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this blog I agree with your views about demonetization . During demonetization period some students are used for exchanging black money which should directly affect students carrier because they don't know how they helping them to black money converted in white money for some commission . As they are the future of country and they should utilize their time towards the benefit of society.
ReplyDeleteDemonetization is one time strike on flushing the stashed money,which create hustle of cash shortage.Although all the pains of standing in long queues will be a big waste and business as usual and a change have cost to it whether the students are queuing up multiple times to get more bucks into their pockets for self-centered pleasure as due to the corruption prevailing in the so called human society. Demonetization does not stops money laundering it just gave legality or alarming over their income earned through unfair means.
ReplyDeleteNicely explained sir, I agreed with that we are responsible for whatever gone bad. Neither PM nor God can do anything if we will not care about ethics of ours as well as generation. It is our responsibility to make our society convenient for each citizen but people are looking to snatch other’s trouble in their worth. This worth is unethical and illegal but no one cares just wanted low hanging fruit.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the basics of generation which starts from birth and alive till end. If parents are well educated and ethical and they are teaching their child ethics and humanity then also it is not sure that he/she will be good and ethical because their whole living environment makes change in themselves.
Sir, as you suggest cash less economy, most of the places are in India even don’t have road and electricity then how it is possible to be totally cashless?
Everyone’s perception towards government job is “Naukari fix hai aur Baht aaram hai, Kam nhi hota aur thodi Upari Kamayi bhi ho jaegi” it needs to get change. If our system will be cashless then these shits can be stop.
At last I just want to say that corruption starts from lowest level because we Indians always find “JUGAD” not solution. When we will start finding solution and will start thinking that others also alive in this universe then lots of problems can be solved.
yes...great explanation by author..but i would like to say that demonetization is a very important step taken by PM Modi ji. it was for our economy growth..it was surgical strike by PM Modi ji..and now GDP has increased by 7.2%..yes i am agree with author..but only we can blame ourselves not to any PM OR GOVT..BUT it was very good and rightly expressed by author..thank you for this valuable words and i would like to read your blog again..
ReplyDeleteYes, I am agreeing with your views, sir. Our Prime Minister has taken a very bold decision of demonetisation for the sake of our country and to reduce the corruption and black money in our country. But some people are not supporting this specially opponent politician these people try to increase the corruption rather than stopping. Students are standing in the queue at a bank at for only to get some rupee of commission in their pocket. For this, they are missing their important lectures and works. We always talk about we have to change our society but firstly, we have to changed our self and then we should require thinking about the change in society. Otherwise, demonetisation doesn’t create any effect if we do not bring change in our mentality.
ReplyDeleteawesome Sir, I also agreed with your view after read this blog I am also inspires those decision taken by our prime minister of India is very good after demonetization great impact on GDP increase by 7.1% But some mistake done by student & bank employee for earn some money this is very worst & one more thing lack of loop hole in our system that’s why not great impact on economy hopefully next time not do this of activity in future those already done by student & bank employee.
ReplyDeleteStudent are said to be future of country. Well this attitude of student's show how likely they can continue corruption if they can make profit out of it. Ethics is must (only solution) and author has given a clear explanation of it. Such writings are always appreciable.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on this matter with the author and it is really sad and surprising to see the students indulging themselves in such anti social activities by exchangeing black money for the dishonest people for some simple commission.they are the future of our country and they should know better that what our pm is doing is absolutely right and in return it will benefit there future only so instead of supporting the dishonest people our youth should support our pm in unearthing more and more black money
ReplyDeleteYes i agree with this statement. It actually happened and its is my personal experience. We are the people who can do towards it. We can change appropriate change in our system. We are the base of our economy (tax payers, indian citizens, students ) are base of our economy. If we will not change ourself and ethics till that time we cannot change our system and our economy. Students are roots of any nation, if root will be weak then growth is not possible and it can be collapse. Change should be start from base level.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree with the views of yours. A good decision was taken by our Prime Minister about demonetization. Impact of the demonetization on our country is great. all the black money taken out from the market and also decrease corruption. we all know that students are the future of our country but here students doing corruption. if we want to make corruption free country then at first we need support such type action which was taken by our PM. Ethic is must for the student as well as common people. As a student it is our responsibility to maintain the ethics.. thank you for the valuable explanation by the author.
ReplyDeleteStudents are trying to earn extra Bucks by Unethical ways and lot of people are blaming that students are not ethical but who is responsible for that : students himself or today's environment ?
ReplyDeleteThe ethics and moral education is must required in every school and colleges to teach in practical way. we are living in society where from childhood we are forced to learn subjects instead of learning the moral values.
Another thing is, As our honorable Prime Minister has taken the decision on Demonetization, to reduce the cash transaction & people will move toward the digital Media of transaction. Today's generation understand better these media and they need to support the initiative taken by our PM. So if we really want to support our PM initiative we first have to be ethical and have to take responsibility of not getting involved in any corruption.
Also i am Agree with this explanation by the Author.
After reading this blog I was very surprised. Every country’s base stands on a strong understanding and that’s name is student but somehow I feel that is in question mark. As a student 1st we should have decided what we want? Are we happy with our short term goal which is seen in this blog or we will be happy with our goal which is for long-term & more effective in future? This Demonetization steps which is taken by our P.M. that is really a good steps for our society. We should support it and also observe our responsibility in a good manner. We will be happy to live in a clean society.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this block I came to understand that when the student will follow this 4steps Commerce With Morality, Pleasure With Conscience, Knowledge With Character, Wealth With Work and with Moral ethics contained then the this types of situations will never take But when the prime minister was announced the Demonization that challenges will never happened accordingly to government but it's shows in another aspects.But as a student he want to follow the ethics then he understood the value of the public what going on in the nature.....as Prasent days this Block will explain how the behaviour of everyperson will understand directly it will take changes them..
ReplyDeleteAfter I read this blog I am really convinced. Is this really happen in India? , In India during the period of demonetization its really effort to the college student because student stand in bank line for 20 % commission but they not know they converted black money and increase black money. Government take a good step demonetization stop black money but student who shout for black money but in demonetization period college student stand converted rich people black money to white money. I agree your views.
ReplyDeleteMoral values are more important for the todays generation, we are living in a place wgere everyone wants to fill his bank balance and they are mostly high class peoples and their childrens are studyng in good colleges. As these childs are doing these things because they are grown up in such a society where everyone is doing work with corruption and taking a decision on Demonetization is very small step but it can affect in large way,
ReplyDeleteelse i am agree with author and the decision by our Prime Minister
I agreed this statement, educated people specially students need to introduce and help for digital transactions to the public, but students also included in anti social activities for commissions. The students need follow the ethical values then only change will happen in this country
ReplyDelete