Corruption and Transparency International

[This was published in Dhaka Courier on 22 February 2013]

There is no denying the fact that fights against corruption are on in full swing in various modes and manner individually and collectively entailing local, national, bi-lateral, regional and global approaches and efforts. Of them Transparency International is name, which has meanwhile earned a name and fame in this line and regard. But it is not also free from limitations and challenges of various modes and dimensions. Notwithstanding anything being leveled against its limitations and approaches reality speaks that it is still the number one in the mission. The most important question before us all what is corruption? How does it grow and spread?  How can it be eliminated? Having all these in mind, detection as follows has been made to understand the nature and vehemence of corruption drawing attention of Transparency International in particular.

O Transparency International

Corruption is a global phenomenon piercing us all from

Within and without

Undressed, unashamed, self-seeking, brutish

Multi-colored, multi-faced and multi-eyed

Being manifested and outspread

Steadily and/or speedily

In countless modes, forms and extents

Taking no rest or pause at all

Moving from heaven to earth unbridled

Sans any boarder, transit and corridor

Corruption is on, on in full swing

O Transparency International

Corruption runs through a net of self-invented so-called

Rhythms, intonations, symmetry, symphony and harmony

Producing millions of carriers, activists, followers and fans

Public or private

Corporate or non-corporate

Civil or military

Political, religious or otherwise

Whether in Asia or Africa

Australia or Europe

North America or South America or Antarctica

All, all over the world

Paying hardly any heed to

Religions, ethics, norms and values

Laws, rules and regulations

O Transparency International

Corruption is older than civilization

Faster than fairies

Faster than witches

Heater than volcano

Higher than the Himalaya

Longer than the Pacific

Wider than the firmament

Darker than the black-hole

Sharper than steel-blade

More ferocious than shark, tiger and eagle

More poisonous than African Cobra

More infectious than ophthalmic

More densely than Amazon or Siberian forests

More upsetting than Tsunami

More voracious than Dragoon

More mesmerizing than the music of Orpheus

More encompassing than Leviathan

More appealing covetously than anything else

Appearing and standing before us all

As if with open belligerent declaration:

‘I am the lord of all I survey

From the East to the west to the north to the south

From the ground to the above to the beneath

There is one to dispute

I am corruption, lord of all I survey’

Corruption, therefore, is giving birth to

Currents and trends of

Law of no-law

Rule of no-rule

Regulation of no-regulation calling for

Digression, desperation

Pulling back pen ultimately the wheel of development

Frustrating the hopes and aspiration of all

O Transparency International

On all counts and analyses

Corruption is not uncontrollable since the very basis of civilization

Founded on truth, justice and fairness;

Let, let us overhaul ourselves with sense of contentment

If corruption is Hydra remains there also Hercules millions in number

Therefore, therefore, O Transparency International, go on, go on

Gearing all your modes and avenues full in speed and spirit

Leaving no concession anywhere at any stage in the face of challenges

Overt or covert

Let your limitations, organizational or otherwise, be viewed and reviewed

 Over and again

Let necessary reforms be made within you, O Transparency International, as well

As well to move truly with time, space and dimension