Corruption can't be fought through weaker laws: Kiran Bedi

Mangalore, February 16: Advocating stringent provisions in the Lokpal Bill, the first woman IPS officer Dr Kiran Bedi on Wednesday said corruption can't be dealt with weak and defective laws.

She was speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory function of an inter-collegiate State-level Management Fest 'Memorabilia 2011' organised by Mangalore Business School at TMA Pai Convention Centre here.

Launching a movement “Mangaloreans Against Corruption (MAC)” Kiran Bedi said, there is a need for stringent Lokpal Bill to create a sense of fear among corrupt people.

Every citizen should be aware of the fact that India is losing 60 billion dollars annually due to corruption, and out of 100 rupees only 16 rupees gets utilised for the public, she said.

“Corruption was on the rise as there was neither fear nor tough punishment for those indulging in it,” Bedi said and pointed out loopholes in the present set of laws.

The Lokpal Bill drafted by the union government must be modified as per the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by civil society groups, she said adding that the Bill has been drafted by herself, Justice Santosh Hegde, advocate Prashant Bhushan, J M Lyngdoh, Anna Hazare, Swami Agnivesh, Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji, Baba Ramdev and others.

She called upon the students to gain knowledge about the rights and show their love and respect towards the country through activism.

Secrets and theories of success lie in four D's and three M's i.e. Desire, Discipline, Dedication and Dream. Three M's are Mastery, Member of a community and Meaning in life. She said, “Be a Master at what you are doing, cultivate the excellence, whichever subject you wish to pursue or whatever you do in life, attain mastery on it; Be a member of the community- live an unselfish life and learn to give, be responsible and contribute something of value. Find meaning in life-live with a sense of higher purpose, find out and pursue the higher purpose behind attaining this mastery and membership, and true meaning of your existence”

Tallam Venkatesh, Treasurer, Karnataka State Cricket Association and former President of Federation of Karnataka State Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Laxmi Narayana, Group General Manager, ONGC-MRPL also spoke.

Dr Kiran Bedi also gave away the prizes for the winning students in various competitions held in the fest. At PG level St Aloysius College emerged as overall championship while SDM College of Business Management bagged the championship in UG level.

Dr Kripa Amar Alva, Chairperson of B Amar Alva Trust and Mangalore Business School welcomed the gathering.

Shwetha Pai, Principal of the Mangalore Business School proposed the vote of thanks.