Q. “Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society?

Model Answer: 

Corruption stems from an internal ethical deficit, where greed and nepotism overpower integrity, reflecting a broader moral decay within society.

Corruption as a Manifestation of Value Failure

1. Materialism over Morality: Societal success is increasingly measured by wealth, ignoring the ethical means of acquisition (Gandhian ‘Wealth without Work’).
2. Erosion of Public Duty: Lack of selflessness transforms public office from a service platform into a tool for personal aggrandizement.

Measures to Uplift Core Societal Values

1. Family Socialization: Parents must actively model integrity and reject consumerism to build strong early moral compasses.
2. Value-Based Education: Integrate experiential ethics and civic duties into early school pedagogy (e.g., Japan’s Tokkatsu system).
3. Social Influence & Persuasion: Shift societal prestige from financial wealth to ethical character by celebrating moral icons (e.g., E. Sreedharan).
4. Institutionalizing Nolan Principles: Enforce objectivity, accountability, and honesty in governance through structural deterrence (e.g., 2nd ARC recommendations).
5. Media & Cultural Realignment: Media must de-glorify unethical accumulation of wealth and actively promote community-centric virtues.

Rebuilding core values demands a synergistic blend of foundational ethical socialization and strict institutional deterrence to achieve a corruption-free Surajya.