The love for money earned by wrong means is the root cause of corruption. The ruling classes set the standards that the man on the street follows. If the elites are corrupt the common man cannot be expected to be above board. If the moral standards have gone down and there is violence in all walks of life, it is because the elites have downgraded themselves morally and ethically. They should introspect and reform themselves before it is too late. Gandhi's torch is
“Unto this Last” was the prime mission of Gandhi; he served the last man even in his death. He tried to transform the elites into humble servants of the people; and thus serve God. He wanted them to he above suspicion like Caesar's wife. Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore says: “Here is the footstool and there rest thy feet, where live the poorest, the lowliest and last. “This is the main thrust of the paper.
The paper has been divided into six sections. The first, deals with the moral-crisis. Politicians or elites instead of giving moral leadership for which people are yearning and waiting are only occupied in manipulating a system which is poisoned by collective bad faith and polluted by individual self-interest. The second section gives a brief case study of stealing cement by the contractor of the village. The third, cites the Gita to say that common people imitate the standard set by the elected or elite. The fourth, is devoted to promises made by leaders, elites or rulers but very rarely kept or implemented. The fifth, critically examines the concentric circle theory of Gandhi's rural development as well as views of Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar about rural Society. The sixth say that Gandhi's Talisman is the best test for all development and other work.
