Morality is actually an unwritten code of social conduct.

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 12: ’It is very sad to note that all the four estates of democracy have become so corrupt in this country. I have frankly lost faith in the society,’ lamented Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde.

Delivering the Corporation Bank’s 105th Foundation Day lecture on ‘Public morality and ethics’ at the Bank’s Head Office here on Friday, he almost broke down with frustration being powerless to punish the worst corrupters.

“I feel happy when corrupt officials are caught, elated when I can prosecute atleast some of them, disgusted when they are not suspended and depressed when they are promoted,” Justice Hegde said, recalling various incidents during his three years as Lokayukta of Karnataka, when he had to watch the corrupt proceedings helplessly.  The society has lost sense of legitimate and illegitimate wealth. Richness is the only yardstick for respect in many cases, he lamented and noted that banking is the least corrupted government sector enterprise. “People should try and understand what satisfaction is. There is no better satisfaction than what you develop from your legitimate income, he said and added that ambition should never be an obsession. The elected representatives should realise that they are the servants of the people and not their masters,” he concluded.

Delivering the inaugural address earlier, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank J M Garg pointed out that Corporation Bank had embraced technology before any other public sector banks. It has the efficiency of a private sector bank and the strength of a public sector bank, he said and elaborated on various projects like ‘Gramina Vikas Kendras’ (branchless banking) the bank has undertaken for the benefit of the rural population and to bring in financial inclusion. Executive Directors of the Bank Asit Pal and Narendra Singh were present on the occasion.

As part of Foundation Day celebrations, the Bank had organised various functions in Mangalore earlier, including a blood donation camp at the Corporate Office on March 7, Drawing and Painting competition for children on February 20 and a Marathon on February 28 in Mangalore. On March 13, the bank has organised a musical concert by renowned playback singer Shaan.