Feb 24, 2004: Why be afraid of TI’s ranking for India corruption?
	Indians (and the Indian media) always take the figures given by the Transparency International (TI) very seriously (India 83rd among 133 nations on corruption list 2003). Based on the TI figures, we tend to conclude “India can never improve!” This is self-denigration while we ignore the ground reality. The surveys on corruption in India by the Centre for Media Studies says (CMS is an Indian agency much more relevant than TI) “ 28% admitted they have dealt through middlemen. That figure was 48% in 2000. 30% admitted to giving bribes, whereas in 2000, 51% had. In Hyderabad, the decline was from 63% in 2000, to 27% now. Chennai and Kolkata declined to 18% [-from 38%] and 19% [-from 51%]. In Delhi however, the figure grew from 40% to 49%. “ Indians need to stop giving undue importance to these international “BRAND” agencies that do not have much to do with “the FACTS” but to promote their “vested interests” by showing the “selective facts that suit their propaganda”. For example: The American religious commission that wants to list India as “country of particular concern” is probably not aware that a Hindu family in America is not allowed to fly a religious flag (and if they do should pay a fine of $100 per day). CIA has already proved the worthlessness of its “intelligence”. Mr.Bush has proved how easily the American Presidents can be mislead into an unwarranted war. Both of them were “way off the mark”. Let us be aware of the Double standards and the Hypocrisy of these international superpowers (nations, leaders, businesses, commissions and human rights agencies). Don’t be surprised if America nominates “Pakistan’s Hero – A.Q.Khan” for a Nobel peace price 2005. At last, who promoted Saddam and Osmana to the international position? Why not create a third Ghost, whom the “Future American Presidents” can go after…....when it boomrangs? “In sum, the TI declarations are best ignored by Indians. We need to develop our own benchmarks. CMS's surveys are better directed. Rather than react to numbers slapped on us by itinerant businessmen, under the auspices of TI, we should take heart from the fact, that computerisation of public services, is beginning to make an impact. An effort like this which tracks the progress of eGovernance projects in India, should be ranked higher than TI's endeavours.” Why be afraid of TI? http://www.goodnewsindia.com/Pages/content/newsclip/story/174_0_2_0_C GoodNewsIndia The surveys on corruption in India by the Centre for Media Studies [CMS], are of greater relevance to our everyday life than the global ranking lists, that Transparency International [TI] publishes from time to time. CMS's method is to run an exit poll on citizens leaving government establishments. Those polled are typically close to the ground reality of India. TI on the hand, polls the 'perceptions' of businessmen visiting various countries in the course of their travels. We will study the significant differences in these approaches a little later. ......... ............... ........................ ..............................