Corruption Copmposition

According to dictionaries, corruption means doing things in a strange way. It means doing something against the rules or laws is called corruption. It's not easy to define corruption clearly. If we look at corruption from a wider perspective, we see that corruption has many forms. Negligence in responsibilities, misuse of power, taking unfair advantage, accepting bribes, and favoritism - all of these are called corruption.

In Bangladesh, corruption exists in various forms. Companies bribe governmental agencies to get extra benefits. Teachers neglect their regular classes and focus more on their private coaching centers. Doctors prioritize their private practice over their duties to their patients. When someone neglects their assigned job, it is also considered corruption.

Corruption has been present throughout history in all societies and ages. In Bangladesh, corruption has been around since the times of the Mughal and British periods when bureaucracy was established. But now, corruption has spread to every sector of the country. Transparency International has ranked Bangladesh as one of the most corrupted countries several times, with police and judiciary being among the most corrupted sectors. Other sectors like land, healthcare, education, and administration are also plagued by corruption.

There are several reasons behind the rise and spread of corruption in our society. The desire for money, lack of accountability and transparency, political decay, low wages, deteriorating law and order, and the availability of weapons are common reasons. The concentration of power also contributes to corruption. Corrupt individuals don't realize that their actions harm not only society but also their own families. Due to the corruption of a few, the entire nation suffers. Corruption negatively affects developing countries like ours, draining the lifeblood of our economy and hindering socio-economic progress.

History has shown that countries plagued by corruption are destined to fail. Sierra Leone experienced an 11-year civil war due to corruption in all aspects of its governance. That's why corruption is considered a menace to any nation or society. It's hopeful that our last army-backed caretaker government established an 'Anti Corruption Commission' to penalize those who accumulate illicit wealth. However, we still have a long way to go in eradicating this problem from our society.

Those involved in corruption should be punished according to the law, and their ill-gotten money and wealth should be confiscated. They should receive exemplary punishment to deter others from engaging in corruption. Most importantly, all of us must firmly reject corruption and strive to live honest lives.