“Honesty is the Best Policy!”, “Be good Do good”, “United we stand, Divided we fall”, “As you sow, so you reap” – I have heard Infinity quotes in Moral science classes in school. 1990 – Class 1A. English teacher Ms. Donita asked for the notebook and I had forgotten it at home. My friend Narmada offered me an empty notebook and asked me to use it changing the name in the label. The next day Narmada’s mom complained me to my mom. Mom was so angry on me and she said it’s ok to be punished by openly admitting that I forgot the notebook than having lied that I had the notebook. I still remember the strong words of my mom “Never do this again. Be open and honest always in life”. I remember my dad telling me even now that each bill from the business needs to be filed and accounted and never fake a single rupee. I remember Arunachalam anna (brother) who worked for dad telling that almost all business men think of developing the business and dad only thinks of the billing and accounting.
My dad had also been in situations where the business didn’t go well but I have always heard from his peers that he is extremely honest and cannot survive in this environment. Dad tells me that “Happiness is that no one lost a single rupee because of me and I always don’t have a burden by heart using short cuts!”. Kannan uncle always tells us “The three of you are in good situations because of your Dad’s good deeds” and we feel happy about it!
Having brought up in such a family, we only know to talk our hearts out openly. I have been a laughing stock at times in office when I mention I don’t file income tax using loop holes nor do I use it to save taxes. I do not claim unnecessary claims at work. I follow strict process and align to what the business policy at the organisation is. I speak out the truth be it bitter or sweet.
Whenever I take a class of IT returns since I’m interested, many of the colleagues ask “how to save tax in a smart way?”. I don’t know short cuts. When I question why do you do this, the first answer I’d get is “We are not the Mallyas or other big shots to cause a loss to the Government. After all we save maybe 20 thousand rupees!” I smile.
“Why do you adhere to policy strictly? We are suffering because of you! If you do this, people would not like you!” I smile at such comments people throw at me. “Why do you deal with this topic officially? Why can’t you do it unofficially?” “Is there an unofficial way in office?” I get puzzled.
“Why do you talk directly under some situations? You are causing a career suicide!” – “Can’t I be transparent and explain the situation?” I’m confused. “Why don’t you act smart? Go in the direction and use the opportunity!” – “Isn’t this immoral?” I feel broken!
“Why are you standing at the red light? There is no cop in the signal!” I become a laughing stock to all. “Why don’t you pay 100 bribe and escape? Why are you willing to pay 500 fine? Oh, maybe you’re rich!” Sarcastic comments kill me. “You’re such a stupid to be like this. Maybe you’re from a Triassic or Jurassic era!” People laugh at me.
Smile was my only language to all of this. “Is living upto the moral values we learnt wrong?” I asked my husband once. “Why do people argue about it and tell me I’m wrong?”. “When the world is nude and you’re dressed, people laugh at you. You are a disturbance to them and do not suit their environment. The only way to get rid of you is to taunt you with such comments and confuse you. The world will make you believe that you’re wrong and they’re right”. “Is being right considered wrong??” I was alarmed!! “Being right at a wrong place is considered wrong. They create a false world of imagination around you to make you believe that you aren’t the reality. But keep going in your way and do not get stuck in the illusion you see around!” he smiled.
My cousin Siva and I sail in the same boat often and discuss about this. He once asked “Are we born in a wrong era or our family is out of this world? Why have our parents made us not fit for this world?”. His parents are very similar to mine. “Remember my dad told about why he is always happy inspite of ups and downs in his business? He has no burden on doing something unethical nor taking away someone’s life. He always smiles and daringly faces any situation as he needs not to be afraid of being held responsible for something deviating from the policy! It’s the same with us. The world treats us a laughing stock. Maybe we wouldn’t be successful in career but we can always be content not holding a burden in our hearts!” I smiled.
“Reality is different from philosophy” everyone complains. Everyone complains on India when they’re abroad. They appreciate other country’s sincerity. “Switzerland farmers leave the vegetables outside with a dumb box for people to deposit money for the vegetables they pick!” we see with awe. It’s the same set of people who laugh at a moral person in our country!
“Singapore is very clean. No one dares to throw a paper on the street!” It’s the same person who throws paper on the streets in India and when asked says “I’m not the only one. See the many papers lying behind!”
“Women in Western countries are so bold and take all responsibilities” – These are the same set of people who say “How can she leave her family and work so much! How can she talk to a man like this at work! How can she be so dominating. We need to teach her a lesson!”
Sometimes arguments go on and on and finally ends up in a sarcastic comment “she is old model. Who will be straight forward and kill themselves in this corporate. We need to be smart!” Well if unethical, immoral is what defines smart, I don’t need to be smart. I don’t need to kill my ethics and live with a burdened life forever which would kill me all my life!
The smiling little girl in grade 1 was growing with confusions, puzzles, questions on life. The innocence was seen as a chance by everyone. Then she became ignorant on what was going on around her. Slowly the ignorance vanished and she could sense the fundamentally wrong situations around her. She felt being chased. She cried, felt lost, broken and stabbed. She lost her social friendship within her. She no longer want to be friends to all. She started feeling victimised. All the questions on “how could one be immoral?” was slowly disappearing as she learnt what was going on. She tried to diplomatically handle it but in vain. During all these phases, there has been struggles, fear, pain and finally only anger within her. She is not alone. There are quite some people in this country getting transformed from being friendly to being angry!
The angry Indian would try to keep himself going in his right direction! Not hoping for greater changes but just being light in mind without a burden of being immoral! To all those who say “Philosophy is not reality” we could only smile at you! We are definitely not going to get lost in the illusion of unfairness that you create! Illusion is a fantasy but reality is reality!! Goodbye!