Corruption ..... root of evil!

I just read through an article in The Indian Express. It is one of the worst papers I've ever read, but this was a quote made from the editorial of another newspaper. Well, it was an article on the Mumbai attacks and the consequences. It was really devastating to think of the happenings in our country. We have grown to become to become a big country and I trust every word of India Shining. I read somewhere that the global economic slowdown could be used as a boost to the Indian economy if used as an opportunity. I should admit that I am utterly flummoxed by the idea, but I guess that people with more intellectual prowess have written the same.
It is disgusting to know that for something to happen in this country, you need influence at the least. And the best form of influence is just at you guessed, Money. I am one of those who think different and feel that corruption is a necessary evil and it would aid in the smooth running of a system. A system which finds itself difficult to survive on its own legs. If you consider many of the state or government run agencies, most of the appointments are made on pittance in spite of almost everyone having a base qualification.
Almost every citizen would have understood the importance of the Army in the last couple of weeks. There has been big hue and cry for maintaining a large army which lies dormant most of the time. This time it was different, people were crying out for not equipping the Army or the NSG with the latest weapons. Whenever someone mentions that they are in the Army, the first question is about 'quota'! It is right, even the Army personnel have to sell liquor to make a few extra bucks. Has the status of the army diminished so much??? Recently, I heard that the salary of the Army personnel had been increased in principle but there was trouble with implementing the same.
The police force of India is pathetic. They have been armed with antiques of WW II. Which other police force in the world has the opportunity to handle antiques and use them against the most sophisticated weapons like the AK47 and protected with Bulletproof vests which can barely withstand a rifle bullet??? It is really heart rending to see that people lay their lives ready to serve the society and the common public while they themselves are cheated and not even given the basic security or safety measures.
When asked why the intelligence could not predict the Mumbai attacks, the first reply was that they get lot of information and they could not sift through all of it! Intelligence is one of the most crucial segments of our defense and with time being of the essence, it is almost fatal to consider the IB unwanted! India is one big country with the second largest population. When the US is opening up new jobs, India is still sticking to the past. Many people are actually still interested to find computers in Government offices. I acknowledge that I am one of them and its fun to watch old people fumbling around with the mouse and keyboard. :)
Unemployment is a big problem in India and there are a lot of unfilled posts and a lot more positive openings. It is not because of the lack of qualified professionals but again corruption gets a head start. This is a period when a kid is looked upon as an investment. His future is drawn up with utmost care and a slight deviation in the same make the child's life hell. For India especially, its time we progressed from our primitive educational system and allowed students more choice and helped them to look ahead of the stereotypes.

Its time, each and every one of us should try to evict corruption from our country but not by making others quit the habit. When each of us come to a station of responsibility, we should through self recognition, make progress and oust the habit/menace of corruption.