Soon after the completion of a multi-storeyed
building called Akashdeep in Bombay, the whole
construction collapsed. The engineers said that the
reason for its collapse was that less cement had
been used than specified by safety regulations.
In another statement the director of a technical
institute said, “RCC construction is a scientific
process which is excellent in the hands of qualified
and experienced people, but dangerous if managed
by incompetent engineers and contractors.” The
Times of India, 4 September 1983)
This appears to be the correct and proper
explanation of the matter, but if we really think
about the word ‘incompetent’ as applied to the
engineers and contractors concerned, we realize
that it needs to be replaced by the more appropriate
word ‘corrupt’. The truth is that such problems in
this country are traceable to excessive greed and
corruption, and not to a lack of technical expertise.
The Bhakra Dam being a major government project,
the services of the top engineers were obtained for
its construction. But, no sooner was it ready than its
walls began to crack, costing the government crores
of rupees to rebuild.
Such events are frequent in this country. Despite all
such ventures being supervised by technical
experts, one hears of roads falling into disrepair the
moment they are constructed, of buildings needing
to be repaired almost immediately after being built,
and of plans remaining incomplete even after
projects are ‘completed.’ All this is the result of
corruption and has nothing to do with a lack of
technical expertise.
Corruption is a psychological evil, while lack of
skill is a technical shortcoming. A psychological evil
cannot be removed by technical improvement. If we
are genuinely interested in making a better society
in our country, we shall have to work for the
psychological, or moral reform of the individuals
who comprise the nation. Merely bringing about an
increase in the number of technical courses
available will not make them turn over a new leaf.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
