Dear all,

I am in a private road construction company working as a manager (admin & liaison).

My job involves all sorts of (in house) administrative dealings and curbing of unfair activities. There happened quite a few incidents when I was informed about  my staff engaged in unfair activities like taking bribes, manipulating company’s expenses, being absent from work,enjoying at home etc.

These so called employees (though not having high posts and working as supervisors) have links with the higher authorities/management. During the start of these activities I tried to bring this to the knowledge of the management but they brushed my information under the carpet which resulted in more unfair activities being done with impunity and abundance.

Further I almost became a sore in the culprits’ eye which could have resulted in back biting and even my ouster from the company. Sensing this I had to close my eyes and gulp down the milk so poisoned with such happenings. This was hard to do and I feel almost a culprit as I was trained by my Father (who is no more) for HONESTY, DEDICATION, DEVOTION and DETERMINATION.

I am writing this article seeking YOUR suggestion. It is necessary for you to step into my shoes and advice.

  1. Am I doing right by ignoring such activities? If not then should I put my job at stake (during recession phase) and start leading a pauper’s life and force my family the same?
  2. Do the words like HONESTY, DEDICATION, DEVOTION, DETERMINATION etc. hold no meaning in our present environment in India (I haven’t been abroad) and do they just lead to problems and miseries?
  3. What ‘SANSKARs’ should be given to my children which are in a true sense perfect and adaptable to our present environment?

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  • http://siddatwork.com Administrator

    Great post. I admire your honesty and your spirit to know what is right and also the yearning of spirit to that which is right !

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  • sushant

    The author needs to be complimented for sharing his real life dilemma candidly; seemingly an insurmountable gap between knowing what is right and doing it! What stops us from making a choice is consequences like “should I put my job at stake (during recession phase) and start leading a pauper’s life and force my family the same?” Conversely, the author may like to reflect on the consequences of not doing it. Admittedly, consequences are individual-specific-perceptions. In case a choice affects self respect, then one has to evaluate its relevance as compared to financial security. How to remain within one’s comfort zone is the moot point?
    To cite two quotes:
    • ‘if you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you do not have integrity, nothing else matters’. APJ Abdul Kalam

    Self Worth– our lives come not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special Don’t EVER forget it. Source unknown

  • http://anatreek.blogspot.com keerthana

    I know about the dilemma you are facing, we see so many thins daily, which seem brutally unfair, like child beggary/labour etc, Try doing what you can, Its not easy to be a hero

  • Siraj Siddiqui

    Hi Amod ,
    Let me share the same feeling with you But what i have learned is that you don’t loose the hope on such an issue.There are times when things are in your control (Within your sphere of influence) and when they are not.You can only influence things within your sphere of control and in such situations always remain cautious and smart too.These situations also demand a careful analysis of the network in which you are operating.You cannot bring the ideal situation in this picture too that the people you are targeting will do everything as you wanted.First you will have to analyse that what is your authority level to affect the situation.These situations not only involve ethical but also cautious steps.

  • Shanu Swetank

    Today I was reading the book ‘who moved my cheese’.there it was
    mentioned that we become so much trapped in our fears that we close
    our eyes from the opportunities and changes taking place around
    us.shake off your fears and do what you think is right. the worst kind
    of fears are when we start thinking what is going to happen if
    something occurs. drop the fear.
    finally i think that may be its hard to change your beliefs that
    getting a job in this recession time is gonna be tough but i think
    life wants you to take this chance.
    with love,
    shanu swetank

  • meeta parmar

    hi Amod,
    i can empathise with you a great deal, Many of us struggle with similar Qs at some point of time.
    Its difficult but i suppose one got to be practical,especially if the consequences of our actions may directly affect our dear ones.According to me, one shouldn’t indulge in corrupt activities himself and try his best to check it in the system,keeping in mind the possibility of its adverse affect on his family —- afterall one is accountable to the family also!!
    Though ‘honesty’/ ‘dedication’ etc are not so prevalent qualities these days but i’m optimistic. Even a single person with these virtues can make a difference, no matter how small it is!! Above all, when u believe in them, adopting them makes u feel good!!And i feel the same logic applies to bringingup children with right values.
    By the way,Amod, do u know Ms Preeti Adaval, Ex-principal of Vasanta college, varanasi?
    With best wishes, meeta

  • P. K. Misra

    ‘NO’ Stand to values, even if it means misery.
    Worst case, look for change after weeding out the weeds and creating enough of noise so that every one in the organisation knows about it.
    HONESTY, DEDICATION, DEVOTION, DETERMINATION are not just words – they are, they were and they will all ways be meaning full, what ever be the environment. As these characteristics are integral part of the basic fabric of any society, be it India or any other country. Some times it may appear that they are the root cause or are leading us to problems and miseries but actually it is these characteristics which lays the foundation of satisfying and successful life.
    ‘SANSKARs’ are based on the same values which were relevant in the past will be relevant in future as well. They are free from the effects of “time, place and the ruler’

    Regards
    P.K. Misra