Talk held on 'Ethics in Governance' in City

Hyderabad|India|September'2010: As part of the two-day national seminar on Reforms in Governance and Administration, there was a talk on Ethics in Governance by Prof. H M Desarda, Agricultural Economist and former Professor of Economics at Aurangabad University and Dr. Jaya Prakash Narayan, President, Lok Satta on 31 August 2010.

Prof. Desarda in his address said that Ethics, is referred to as ‘Dharma’ in day to day life but, we have forgotten professional ethics today. The crisis of ethics in Indian society is actually the crisis of industrialized society. Today, we are not interested in understanding the issue in its broader perspective. For example, Adam Smith discussed his ideas about ethics and philosophy behind his views of economic well being in his book ‘Theory of Moral Sentiments’, but hardly anybody bothers to go through it extensively and as a result his ideas are often not understood in correct sense. Speaking further Prof. Desarda said that Gandhi’s ideas of industrialization and economic growth were diametrically different from that of those who actually were involved in the making of India after independence. Gandhi emphasized on building “people” and then “people” themselves will make the institutions to shape the country. We often tell that Gandhi is relevant today for his ethical practice for human values but, his economic views are not relevant but, this is not a rational statement. Gandhian economic thoughts are very much relevant today also. Gandhi described economic well being as self sufficiency through ‘production by masses’ and not by mere ‘mass production’. Finally Prof. Desarda mentioned that the whole cycle of growth, that we practice today, is rootless, futureless and unethical. The growing disparity is the biggest question mark on our growth story.

Dr. Jaya Prakash Narayan while addressing the packed auditorium emphasized on local self governance to check corruption. Market mechanism can check corruption to a great extent but, it has to be used carefully to fulfill society goals. As the human life is prolonged by various advancement in medical sciences and so on, the wish to live a more comfortable and dignified lifestyle makes the process of industrialization compulsory. Dr. Narayan described Mahatma Gandhi as one of the first persons who understood the ecological crisis at length. Gandhi was of the view that all people are naturally moral and so he didn’t think of institutions that can ensure ethics in society. But, this is not the real situation. Human beings are not identical; the society structure is acquired and it’s not natural. We don’t lack values but we do need institutions to sustain ethics and values same as some container or bottle is required to hold water. Further Dr. Narayan added that without describing politics, the issue of corruption can’t be addressed. Without checking the amount of money spent during elections on illegitimate practices, we can’t ensure ethical practices in governance. Finally he remarked that the young generation will bring change in India in near future.