Of Corrupt Generals ………..and Corrupt Baboos……

I have woken up after a long period of “hibernation” and I thought a topic such as this would be most appropriate to write about.

The news channels were abuzz with the reports of the corrupt deals of a few serving Generals involved in the infamous Sookna land deal….but what struck me most was the recommendation of the Eastern Army Commander to deal with the offenders rather ruthlessly. The message by the incumbent Army Chief was loud and clear…….it is indeed reassuring to learn that the Indian Army will be in safe hands and the guilty will be punished……Officers like Gen V K Singh will make us proud of the Indian Army!!

No sooner had the Sookna land scam died down some what, when news comes of a senior IAS couple from MP, caught by the Tax guys with crores of unaccounted wealth!!
Yes, I am speaking about Arvind Joshi and his wife……both officers of the rank of Principal Secretaries !!.............and my mind goes back a few decades……….. of happy memories.

Arvind Joshi was my class fellow at a small school at Gwalior for a good three years. That was in the Sixtees….over forty years ago !!He was from an aristocratic background. His father was a DIG of police. It was indeed a familiar sight to see the immaculately dressed Arvind dropped off to school every morning in an old ,well maintained car driven by a police driver…and yes…he was treated by all as a VIP so much so that the school principal used to respectfully refer to him as “dig sahib ka ladka hai”. But then, Arvind was indeed exceptionally good at studies.
Those days, unlike today, one of the most preferred carrier options for brilliant boys, was to join the NDA…..and Arvind was no exception. He appeared for the NDA entrance exam and made it to NDA. Arvind indeed did us all proud !

Bur fate had some thing else in store for him. At NDA, he was injured in a riding accident and he was medically boarded out !! But Arvind was not someone to take it lying down. He came back, continued his studies, prepared for the IAS and he made it !! Commendable indeed !!
Arvind did us proud once again.
Years later, Arvind was posted at the MoD as the JS (Army) during George Fernandes’ time….there were several stories of corruption at the MoD including the infamous “Kargil coffin scam”. Arvind came back to his parent cadre at MP as the Principal Secy. There were several allegations of corruption against him but nothing was proved.
And now he is caught by the IT sleuths with crores of unaccounted wealth. Arvind Joshi is suspended from service !! Arvind now made us hang our heads in shame !!
Our old school principal at Gwalior must be crying in his grave seeing all this. I am convinced this must be the story of several baboos who are still holding high positions in babudom. Is there a remedy for all this ? Food for thought folks ……