The problem of gigantic and rampant corruption is a recent phenomenon. As early as a generation or two ago, corruption was only an exception that proved the rule of honesty in public life and offices. Now corruption is the order of the day, because honesty is no longer the best policy. In fact, honesty is more a liability than an asset.

   From the leaders at the top who determine the national destiny down to the lowest functionary who is but a cog in the giant national machine, nearly none could be pronounced totally free from corruption. Honesty is a sure handicap to one and all almost in every walk of life. For, all life has become a rat race. In it, only the fit survive. The fit are invariably the corrupt ones. By a process of what may be called ‘psychological mutation’, there has been a population-explosion of the corrupt.

   Corruption is now such an ‘in’ thing, that every one of the corrupt would....