Suppose one of your close friends, who is also aspiring for civil services, comes to you for discussing some of the issues related to ethical conduct in public service. He raises the following points : (i) In the present times, when unethical environment is quite prevalent, individual attempts to stick to ethical principles may cause a lot of problems in one’s career. It may also cause hardship to the family members as well as risk to one’s life. Why should we not be pragmatic and follow the path of least resistance, and be happy with doing whatever good we can? (ii) When so many people are adopting wrong means and are grossly harming the system, what difference would it make if only a small minority tries to be ethical? They are going to be rather ineffective and are bound to get frustrated. (iii) If we become fussy about ethical considerations, will it not hamper the economic progress of our country? After all, in the present age of high competition, we cannot afford to be left behind in the race of development. (iv) It is understandable that we should not get involved in grossly unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gratifications and doing small favours increases everybody’s motivation. It also makes the system more efficient. What is wrong in adopting such practices?

Analysis of arguments

(1) It is true that being honest in a dishonest world can be daunting.

For eg - murder of RTI activists and whistleblowers like Satyendra Dubey.

But in reality, one bad fish can rot the pond. We have to stick to our conscience and not compromise on values because we see others doing the same. Service to nation is above service to our family or ourselves. We need to establish right leadership and examples for others to follow. For eg - Ashok Khemka transferred more than 50 times.

(2) It is rightly said that a single drop makes the ocean. It is not about the quantity of good, but the quality. There have been multiple examples in history of single-handed changemakers. For eg - Mother Teresa - the epitome of compassion

• Verghese Kurien - single-handedly brought the White Revolution.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

• Mahatma Gandhi

(3) Development and ethics are not two sides of the coin, but a continuum. Both can coexist, and even contribute to each other.

While countries like China have been growing on unethical means (debt trap diplomacy, violation of minority rights), there are countries like Scandinavia with highest level of human development indices and lowest corruption levels.

(4) The ideology that corruption is required to grease the wheels of the nation has been brought forth in 2nd ARC report.

In reality, even a small act of gratification can create a crisis of conscience. Evil cannot be judged as small or big. Smaller acts motivate to do bigger acts in future.

For eg - A bribe of ₹100 is as bad as worth a lakh, because both are inherently wrong.

Advice to friend

1. While majority opinion about civil services and governance focuses on power and authority, it is our duty to use that power wisely.

2. Change in public perception is required, which can be achieved through actions.

3. We need to have positive attitude, high emotional intelligence and fortitude and resilience to resist the perks of power.

4. Follow the right role models (Armstrong Pame, APJ Abdul Kalam) to take inspiration.

5. We are answerable only to our own conscience and nothing else.

Service to mankind is service to God.

• Swami Vivekananda