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The article attempts to characterise honesty in public life through an anecdote from Indian History.
If our politicians are blatantly honest, and act accordingly, I am sure they would not last full one term in office. They know this too. Gorbachov tried hard to reform Russia. So did Yeltsin. Not quick enough for some, too fast for others. They were soon kicked out. An Indian example of recent times does not come to my mind ……. may be there have been none in recent past (???) or I am unable to recall.
Do we really want honesty in politics? Are we now addicted to the cliche ‘sthiti niyantran me hai’? How much "honesty" can we accept? Are we ready to live with the consequences of allowing our politicians to do what is necessary, as opposed to what is comfortable, for us? Would we re-elect them if they did?
Is there a bench mark for ‘honesty in public life’??
Megasthenes a Greek historian from Lonia was sent by Seleucus - I as ambassador to the court of King Chandragupta Maurya . He published his experiences about the culture, history and religion of India in ‘Inidca’. He described an incidence which may serve as a benchmark.
Megasthenes had heard about Chanakya and wanted to meet him. He sent a request and was allowed to go to the hut in which Chanakya was living.
When Megasthenes reached there, it was the first hour of the evening. Chanakya was writing something under the dim light of an earthen lamp. He raised his head, welcomed the guest and asked, “What’s your purpose?”
“I’ve come to see you and talk to you about yourself and on different topics.” Replied Megasthenes.
Chanakya asked him to wait. Then he took another lamp and after lighting it, he put off the first lamp and invited Megasthenes to sit on the broad mat.
Megasthenes sat down but became very curious and asked, “I feel there must be a reason that you have put off the first lamp and lighted another one, but I don’t find any difference in them; neither in the make and size nor the light that is coming out. Please tell me why you changed the lamp.”
“Before changing it, I asked about your purpose. I came to know that it is a personal meeting. So I put off the official lamp, the oil comes from the government treasury and I lighted the lamp for which I purchase oil from my salary. While doing a personal work, I can’t misuse the government’s money.” Chanakya gave a simple reply.
It was really unbelievable for the visitor.
Megasthenes was astounded by such scrupulous honesty in spite of all the power that he knew Chanakya had.
Megasthenes bowed before him and said, “This is the reason of your immense power.”
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I do not agree …….. Chanakya’s power was not solely because of his honesty, it was because the people were honest.
Honest leaders serve honest people!!
Honesty should not only be a desirable quality, it should be an essential qualification for the citizenship.
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