Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stressed the need to march ahead in the interest of the nation with discipline and the spirit of Swadeshi in life. “If corruption is to be eradicated, then the anti-corruption approach should become a part of the lifestyle”, he said. The Governor presided over the ‘Award Distribution Ceremony’ on the occasion of Vigilance Awareness Week being observed by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau from October 31st to November 6th, 2022 at the historic Gaiety Theater, Shimla, here today. Congratulating the participants of various competitions organized by the State Vigilance Department, he said that the suggestions and measures which come up during the programs of the week should not be limited to this only but, the attitude against anti-corruption should become a part of the lifestyle. He said that we need to be aware of corruption and it should not be a part of etiquette and there was a need to put an end to wrong practices, for which we all should participate. Arlekar said that corruption comes from human nature.
He said, “From the day we have separated religion from our public life and from personal life, we have started getting corrupted as we have mis-defined religion.” He said that religion was not restricted to the system of worship. It was a part of the way of life and conduct. Arlekar said, “Dharma teaches us what to do and what not to do in life.” He stressed on making religion a part of life. Expressing concern over the rapidly spreading corruption in the society, the Governor said that there was a need to plan the measures to stop it from the ‘upper level’. He said that corruption was not limited only to money while it was also about character, thinking, conduct, time also. For this, we need to be disciplined, he added. He said that your discipline also affects others. He especially stressed on the responsible officers to further strengthen the departmental image by their good conduct. He said that in ‘Amrit Kaal’, we should move ahead and work with the vision of a corruption-free India. Shri Arlekar called upon the youth to take a pledge to make such programs a part of life against corruption.
He said that by adopting discipline and Swadeshi, one could achieve the status of ‘Vishwaguru’. This thinking would prove helpful for India in becoming the ‘economic power’ of the world. The Governor also released the website of the State Vigilance Department on the occasion. He also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions organized by the department. Earlier, Additional Director General, State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Satwant Atwal while welcoming the Governor, briefed about the various programs organized by the Bureau during Vigilance Awareness Week being observed from 31st October to 06th November. She also detailed the various awareness programmes organized up to the school level. Superintendent of Police, Southern Range Anjum Arah read out the Annual Report on the occasion. Deputy Inspector General of Police, State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Shiv Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. Senior officers of the Police Department, former officers, officers from the different departments and students of various schools and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
