Satya - The Incorruptible

Satya was a mixture of opposites. He was a rare specimen in the species called Homo Sapiens. He was a gregarious type yet a loner and so could not be classified under any bracket. He defied all odds of definition. No one could predict his behaviour. So everyone handled him with utmost care. As is natural for us during childhood, he did not show these traits but there were streaks of such idiosyncratic behaviour. Since the first time he developed this behaviour which happened to be noticed, Satya always wanted to walk the straight road of ethical behaviour. No one remembered especially teaching him to be right or do the right. He received his early tutorial from his grandmother as is normal in any household. He grew up listening to the epics and other mythological tales, that was the beginning. Through this early training he probably developed the habit of always doing the right, follow the rules and be disciplined.

Satya was a good student and was helpful towards his friends who needed his support. But during examinations, he never helped anyone because that would need adopting unfair means. His teachers knew his qualities and so they were very fond of him.

Satya wanted to study Medicine and after his high school, he appeared for the common entrance test for the medical colleges. He got selected but he opted out reason being that there was too much wheeling dealing in getting the college of one's choice. Also, the way the final allocation of the merit listed candidates was done was not transparent enough to his satisfaction. Satya did a complete switch over and enrolled in the undergraduate course in Economics. In college, he took an active part in extracurricular activities of which debating was one. Also, Satya wanted the students got their rightful due so he joined the college Union.

All the debating activities saw him take an active part and always took the path of truth because for him a spade was a spade. He never had the habit of sugar coating any statement however bitter it may sound. For his crystal clear logic and opinion, Satya was held in awe by some and by jealousy by the rest. But that didn't bother him to follow the path of truth. Satya finished college with flying colours. But he failed to land a job due to his much outspokenness. In every interview, he faced he was candid about his opinion and minced no words in expressing whatever he felt was the truth and how the situation should be dealt with whatever be the fallout. His would-be employers were skeptical of his opinion and as a result, there was a negative for his hiring. This, however, did not dampen his spirits. He enrolled for a doctoral course in the subject. People advised him to change his ways and adjust himself according to the ways of the world or remain an outcast for the rest of his life. Such banter fell into Satya's deaf ears. For Satya was on a mission in his life. He refused to compromise and accept short cuts.

In his doctoral course, he fell out on his mentor many a time. Satya was very strict on his original work for his thesis and never took help from any contemporary authors' work to avoid plagiarism. In this, he differed with many of his peers because others adopted short cut methods.

After the publication of his thesis and waiting for the results to be declared, Satya decided to spend the intervening period doing some worthwhile work. He was intrigued by the Insurance sector. Selling insurance products interested him because during his studies he had wanted to know how the average consumer was unaware of the value insurance demanded.

So Satya enrolled as an adviser in one such insurance selling company. Meeting customers, delivering home the value of insurance and finally closing a deal by receiving a cheque was a real challenge for Satya. He used to accompany a senior to the market to catch prospective clients. He liked the work as there was challenges as Satya was fond of stretching himself. But he did not like the practice that was followed at the end of the day. While reporting the days progress to the higher-ups the details were fudged up to give a rosy look. His colleagues said by month end every detail and numbers would square up and there would not be any discrepancy. Satya was however not willing to accept this as he believed in total honesty. The means are as important as the end results.

However Satya did not have to compromise because his doctoral results were out and he had cleared with good numbers and he was ready to move on. Satya was desirous of research work in some institutes of repute either inland or abroad. So there was a waiting time and this period Satya spent by applying for various Govt jobs. Soon he received a job of a sub-inspector in the police department. Family members and relatives who were knowing Satya and his outlandish ways advised him against taking up the job however prestigious it may be. But Satya who knew a bit about the ways and means of the police department and did not back out but accepted the job because he loved challenges. He knew the full system could not be corrupted and Satya would be among those courageous people who walk the talk and face challenges head-on.

Initially, he liked the work and the challenge. He learnt how to adjust in the system without making too much of a compromise. Things were going well but at certain times situations began to test his patience. His good work was being recognised and he was on the way upwards in the promotion ladder. All that seems good may not be always as expected. Satya was tiring dodging himself here and there to keep himself clean and clear. The system is gamed by a minority section with vested interests. They rule the roost everywhere. Satya was contemplating his next move when all of a sudden he was transferred to the intelligence department in the defense sector. Very gladly Satya grabbed the opportunity. Here also it was an immense learning platform for Satya. The situation demanded high mental preparedness and lot of personal sacrifices. But Satya enjoyed such high demanding work. Satya as was a picture of dedication and devotion as he did not believe in short cuts. Being such an intelligent person Satya knew the work hierarchy and limits. He had read in journals and political magazines the outreach of the government and the freedom allowed to the people on the job. The outreach of the deep state as it was called. Satya knew that it was the end of the road for him as he loved freedom and the liberty to work at his pace. He detested working in stifling conditions.

Fortune favours the brave as goes the saying. Whenever Satya thought that he had reached the end of the road, then providence opened up a new wider road for him. In this case also similar happened. As earlier said that Satya was in search of a research cum faculty job in a university of repute. Fortune smiled on him as he had got a call from an ivy league institute for a guest faculty. It goes without saying that the situation was one for the asking.

It was a dream-like work environment. Satya had the situation to his heart's desire. Freedom was aplenty and there was no stifling and red-tapism. The situation was ripe for Satya to display his oodles of talent. This way he continued for a few years then all of a sudden he had pangs of homesickness. Listening to the call of his mind he returned home and took up a job of the head of the department in a local college. He knew that he had to make compromises as he had to take the responsibility of his elderly parents. Also, he had a family of his own and a school-going son. But true to his colours he could make sacrifices but not to the extent of giving up on ethics. He was totally Incorruptible - that is how he had been and would remain the same the rest of his life.

Being the Head of the department, he wanted to implement certain policies that he had learnt while working in the west. All this for the benefit of the students. But everyone resists change because no one likes to experiment to be conducted one's own self. Satya was battling frustration after frustration. Because none of his policies were being implemented. In fact, he had to remain contented with the age-old practice that was being followed. Satya knew that the education standard had not improved for many years and the quality of graduates leaving college were simply uncompetitive and almost unemployable. His education policy was rejected by the University authorities many a time.

Finally, frustrated, Satya resigned from service. He had enough of it all. Throughout his life he had fought against corruption and unethical practices absolutely untiringly. But there were very few recipients for the change Satya wanted to bring about. There was too much dogma and stereo type and the system never wanting to change.

Satya resigned to his fate. He now decided to go solo. Remembering the poet's words that when no one is willing to accompany you, then venture out alone. He launched his own tuition classes though on a very humble scale. Education and learning was his favorite pastime. He wanted to give back to the society from where he had got so much. His tuition classes were for good students with weak financial backgrounds. As now he was alone, he would not have to manage the system and fight for his rights.

True to him, he remained incorruptible till the end. The system could not cower him as he was the best in his game.