The National Youth Integrity Survey 2015 conducted by the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TI,B) has successfully delved deep into the recess of the country's young population's minds. Thanks are due to the watchdog body for giving a glimpse of the collective mindset of the most dynamic and creative segment of the country's people poised to take over from the old guards. No, there are no startling revelations in so far as the views expressed by the youths surveyed in 461 mouzas of 31 districts but a few of them are sure to reflect the moral parameter of those who will be at the helm of affairs in not too distant a future. Aged between 15 and 30 with a proportional gender division of 67 per cent male and 33 per cent female, they are likely to be quite representative. However, there is no explanation for selection of nearly one-third of female respondents as against two-thirds of male.
About one thing, though, there is no doubt that the youths are capable of appreciating integrity well enough. Usually they favour a high moral standard which a fraction of them is likely to compromise on in challenging situations. As high as 97 to 98 per cent hold the view that a person of integrity never lies, cheats or breaks law. But then 30 per cent of them will give in to temptation where the moral laxity brings benefit to their families. This means a good proportion is amenable to corruption. With a clear concept of corrupt practices in government offices they are also ready to fall in line if that serves their purposes.
To have a comprehensive idea of moral integrity is one thing but to uphold it in practical life is a completely different proposition. The country's youths could not give a good account of themselves when it comes to 'practice is more important than precept'. Half of the youths surveyed have expressed their readiness to surrender a portion of their salary to their future employers if they are offered a job. There is not much to be optimistic if youths can think in terms of making such compromises in exchange for a job or other gains.
Yet blaming them would be unfair. They are preparing for what they are experiencing in their practical life. It is the existing system as developed by their elders that have actually influenced them to get adapted to the all-round corrupt environment. Around 21 per cent of all who were surveyed had a tryst with this vile practice in different services. About 29 per cent of those so experienced, had no option but to give in to unethical demands in getting licence, permit or clearance, another 29 per cent in avoiding police harassment, 25 per cent in obtaining healthcare from government health facilities, 20 per cent in managing a government job, 18 per cent in procuring a seat in educational institutions and 17 per cent in roping in business for their organisations.
Clearly, the young generation of the country is introduced to the vile practice of speed money at the prime of youth. Once habituated to the practice, corruption no longer becomes allergic to them. In fact, like hardened criminals some of them are likely to excel in their own time in office. If that is a potential danger, what right now poses to be a more formidable challenge is the pessimistic view that the young people share among themselves.
Although 71 per cent of the respondents have made it known that they would complain against corrupt practices, 62 per cent have no intention of doing so because they have a predisposition about the futility of such complaints. This is exactly where it hurts the youths most. Does it give the impression that the youths have lost the spark, the bubbling spirit that induces them to revolt against all kinds of injustice? Perhaps not.
Once again, accusing fingers ought to be directed to those who have not only brought their positions to disrepute but also manipulated in so Machiavellian a manner to corrupt an entire system of governance. Had there been justice for all wrong-doings and corruption, no matter who the perpetrators are, today's youths would not have expressed such a pessimistic attitude towards the dispensation. The systemic weakness has been at the root of it.
The young generation is an asset for a country only if it is taken full care of in order to develop so. In its absence youths go either spoiled or out of frustration they turn criminals. The views expressed by the young population are a product of the time and system. Those could be altogether different in a different time and clime. Dubious politics and intriguing bureaucracy here do not help the cause. Bureaucratic and lordly attitude demonstrated by public servants is an affront to democratic norms. Why must not the corrupt officers holding top positions of public offices at all tiers be made to account for their deviation as well as for their imperial gaits? They must be made to remember that they are there to serve people not to lord over them.
If thus held accountable for their behaviour and action, corruption can be rooted out. The youths of today should be given an environment free from corrosion and moral deviation where they can hold their heads high and have an opportunity to prove what they are really capable of.
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