Prof. Pardeshi Lal, VC, NU and other dignitaries taking the pledge during the workshop on ‘Eradicate Corruption – Build a New India’ held at NU Lumami on November 2.
Zunheboto, November 2 (MExN): Nagaland University, Lumami organized a one-day workshop on ‘Eradicate Corruption – Build a New India’ on November 2 at its I. Ihoshe Kinimi Hall. The workshop was part of a series of activities prescribed for the observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week during October 29 to November 3.
The programme was chaired by Peter Ki, PRO, Nagaland University. Prof. Pardeshi Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University delivered the keynote address. He stated that the observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week had been conveyed by the Central Vigilance Commission, the apex integrity institution of the country with the goal of promoting integrity, transparency and accountability both in public life and day-to-day life. He asserted that the observance of the vigilance awareness week should not be an end itself but rather everyone should seriously introspect so that self-realization will ensue on the need for honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability.
Terming corruption as undue benefit for self or others, he said it has become a virus that is sapping the system of its vitality. The virus needs to be destroyed before it destroys the people, and hence the nation. However, before expecting others to give up corruption, we should take the lead ourselves.
Giving the Vigilance speech, Prof. MK Sinha, Finance Officer, Nagaland University, lamented that all are vigilant for one’s rights but non-vigilant in one’s duties. No one is courageous enough to be honest, because there is a cost involved, sometimes even in the form of threats. Thus there is no harmony between words and actions when it comes to corruption.
For institution to grow, TEAM work is required, where ‘T’ stands for technology and transparency, ‘E’ stands for efficiency and empowerment, ‘A’ stands for accountability, and ‘M’ stands for mutual cooperation. Neither under-vigilance nor over-vigilance is recommended. The former leads to corruption, the latter to feeling of insecurity. The ideal is self-imposed vigilance that is being true in one’s words and deeds. Corruption, he went on to say, is a ball of snow that grows in size once it starts rolling. He, however, ended on a positive note by saying that real growth does not happen through corruption but only through honesty.
Following the Vigilance speech, he led the taking of the ‘Pledge’.
K. Buche Khiamniungan, President, NUSU (Lumami) also delivered a speech in which he pointed out that corruption is not only the preserve of the public officials but one that has infected every sphere of society. Corruption has destroyed the moral fabric of country, he said. But to eradicate corruption it must begin with the self. He ended the speech by quoting Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
A press release stated here that the programme came to a close with the vote of thanks by Prof. Sangyu Yaden, Controller of Examination In-charge, Nagaland University.
