Corruption is all pervasive, not linked to govt alone: Sibal

Updated on: Friday, May 27, 2011

The entire Indian society is "absorbed" in corruption and there was a need to fight the menace on all fronts, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said.

"Corruption is a societal problem. It is there in politics, bureaucracy, judiciary, civil society. This menace is not linked with the government alone; the whole society is absorbed in corruption. This needs to be fought everywhere," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the 11th convocation of the Dharmasingh Desai University (DDU) at Nadiad, Gujarat.

Sibal, who also holds the telecom portfolio, is also one of the five ministers nominated to the committee set up to draft an effective anti-graft Lokpal Bill.

There should be fear of law against corruption, he said, adding there was need for changing India's image, from that of a nation of holidays to a country where people enjoyed hard work.

"We have to move away from the Western model of values and evolve a model that is distinctly based on our own ethos, culture and value system."

More than half a billion youths of the country are capable enough to usher in positive change in the society. The 21st century belongs to India and the youth should be the main agent of change, the minister said.

"After right to free and compulsory education (RTE), we are taking steps to improve the quality of education, especially at the primary level," Sibal said.

As enlightened citizens of India, the youth should imbibe the quality of compassion, Sibal stated.

The HRD Minister said, "The new world will provide extraordinary opportunities to those who are prepared to face the challenges of change."

More than 1,145 students were awarded degrees in various disciplines at the convocation.

Corruption is all pervasive, not linked to govt alone: Sibal

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