By Narayan Prasad Mishra Despite the preaching and teachings of the religious books of all the faiths in the world for the righteous life and living, the world we live in is different from it. People follow the rituals but not the preaching. So the attitude of earning and making money by any means for personal benefit - right or wrong is everywhere, from the most backward, developing country to the most developed rich country. We hear and read about it almost every day. Corruption is everywhere. There is no doubt about it. Nepal is a developing country, and our people are poor compared to many countries in Asia and Europe. But Nepalese did not have a culture of corruption, and the people were morally rich and righteous. In general, they did not have the attitude of earning by evil means, and they were God-fearing. As a result, they built many temples, pattys, and Dharamshalas (resting and shelter places) throughout the country. We see them everywhere. Besides, there was almost zero tolerance for corruption during the Rana regime though they exploited the people and considered the state treasury as their own. So corruption was not visible until then. Their administration was solid and strict. The corrupts could be hanged to death, and their property could be confiscated without much difficulty. But after the change of 1951, the culture of corruption started to appear in our country. Nepal was opened to foreigners, and the diplomatic relations were extended. The system of foreign aid was introduced for the development of the country. Society's culture, traditions, and attitudes also appeared to be changing. Then the corruption spread like the air in the atmosphere. When the government and administration were strong, corruption could not be established as a culture of life in Nepal. But after the change of the 1990 and 2006 revolutions, it was established as a part of our system. Before, we could see only some individuals were involved in this crime. Now it appeared like an organized crime as if the government in power had the legal and inherent right to make money by wrong-doings. Millions and billions of rupees in corruption scandals became the talk of the town, and the various corruption scandalous news was published in the newspapers. It became a topic of discussion on radios and televisions. Some lawyers even filed cases against them. But no government of any party -- Democrats or Communists -- showed necessary attention to punishing the culprits and eradicating them. The corruption cases - 1 Sudan Peace Mission Corruption Scandal 2. The Omni Scandal 3. Gokul Banskota Security Printing Press Scandal 4. The Airbus Scandal 5. The Covid Vaccine Scandal 6. The Loadshedding Scandal 7. The Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scandal 8 The 10 billion TSC Scandal 11. Dhamija, Lauda Scandal, etc., are the prominent scandalous cases. These are only some examples. Everybody knows about them. There are many more other minor as well as significant cases. During the Panchayat time, though, there was also corruption but not as extended compared to the corruption that appeared after 1990. But at that time, I thought it was intolerable and hard to see. I wrote a poem titled" Bhrastachaar" (Corruption), and it was published in the Naya Nepal Post on 3 November  1982 (Kartik 17, 2039). The published poem in Nepali and its English translation are given below:       Corruption                      Corrupter does not make only wealth But receives prestige here Corrupter not only earns dignity But he gets respect here Not boycotting the corrupter People establish close relationships here. Because of that, here Corruption in foodstuff Corruption in wearing clothes It is in transportation, forests It is in business and industry It is everywhere It is in construction It is in dismantling It is involved in price high It is involved in making lower price One who gives fear showing your bad fate Even those saints and hermits are corrupters One who gets a share from rituals and worship Even those priests are corrupters Corruption is in the temples Corruption is in the shops Movie Hall or crematorium Where not is corruption? In a country of corrupts The investigators are more corrupt Corruption is in punishment Corruption is involved in the reward If we talk about the corruption in the judiciary That is the place we see it more The integral part of our life Is becoming corruption Here is corruption There is corruption Now the situation is Even the honest now needs to fear corruption accusation Because of the power of the corrupts People of purity need to be scared Ethic - rich people, need to cry Ethics - rich people need to suffer Look! alone,  everywhere If you do not believe it,  look! staying alone The people of noble thoughts           Everywhere So, Now, Here If we are not awaken If we would not show the lamp of unity If we do not keep the unity fire burning, If we do not take the path of truth No one will give any thought to it. It will never be cured -Narayan Prasad Mishra      The poem was published four decades ago. Everybody knows the situation of corruption is worse than before. It seems the offices established to control it are just for formality's sake. They are there in the showcase, not effectively seen in action. Transparency International brings its report. It seems the report is for the report's sake. The donor countries are happy to donate whether that is properly used or misused because they have their own mission to achieve. The corruption has made Nepal like a cracked pot where the water disappears as soon as you pour it. There is no way of treating it if the government is corrupt, the oppositions are corrupt, and the people are unconscious, blind, and deaf. I do not know how long the country and the people need to suffer from it. Let us all pray to Lord Pashupati Nath to take care of this country's killing disease. narayanshanti70@gmail.com