The esteemed former Lokayukta, Santosh Hegde, delivered a profound message in Hubballi on Tuesday, unequivocally stating, “Greed is a disease, and its sole antidote is contentment.” His impactful keynote address, titled ‘Ethics and Contentment,’ was a highlight of the Vigilance Awareness Week program held at the South Western Railway headquarters in Rail Soudha.
Hegde emphasized the critical importance of upholding ethics and honesty in both public and private life. He expressed concern over current societal trends, noting that corrupt individuals are increasingly gaining respect for their power and wealth, often at the expense of genuine values and integrity – a development he deemed unhealthy and alarming. He powerfully reiterated his assertion: “Greed is a disease, and the only cure for it is contentment.”
He passionately urged everyone to embrace contentment, explaining that true happiness and lasting inner peace stem not from the relentless pursuit or accumulation of wealth and power, but from profound personal satisfaction and unwavering moral strength.
Adding to the insightful discussion, Mukul Saran Mathur, General Manager of South Western Railway, highlighted the direct impact of railway employees’ actions on the public, given their crucial role in a service-oriented organization. He stressed the necessity of individual change and concerted efforts to rebuild trust within the workplace. Mathur also underscored the importance of establishing robust organizational processes to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
As part of the program, a special vigilance magazine named ‘Sankalp’ was unveiled. This publication features insightful thoughts and discussions on integrity, transparency, and real-life case studies, symbolizing the organization’s steadfast commitment to ethical conduct and accountability.
The sensitization session saw enthusiastic attendance from various dignitaries, including Additional General Manager P. Ananth, SDGM and CVO A. Annadurai, along with other Principal Heads of Departments, senior officers, employees, and members of the public.