THE ROLE-MODEL IN SOCIETY

Why has our country earned the reputation of being one among the most corrupt Nations of the World? The Bhagavad Gita states that this happens when eminent, prominent persons in Society who are supposed to lead peoperly, themselves commence to adopt corrupt practices to enrich themselves. Sri Krishna has this answer in Slokam 21 Chapter III of the Bhagavad Gita:
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Bhagavad Gita Ch.3 Slokam 21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।
yadyadācarati śrēṣṭhastattadēvētarō janaḥ
sa yatpramāṇaṅ kurutē lōkastadanuvartatē
यद्यत् whatsoever, आचरति does, श्रेष्ठः the best, तत्तत् that, एव only, इतरः the other, जनः people, सः he (that great man), यत् what, प्रमाणम् standard (authority, demonstration), कुरुते does, लोकः the world (people), तत् that, अनुवर्तते follows.
Whatsoever a great man does, that the other men also do; whatever he sets up as the standard, that the world (mankind) follows.
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Man is a social animal and an imitating person too. He takes his ideas of right and wrong from those whom he regards as his moral superior. Whatever a great man does, the same is considered as an authority by his followers. They try to follow him. They endeavour to tread in his footsteps.
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For the protection of the world, all acts that are appropriate to one's station and stage in life must always be performed by an eminent man who is distinguished for his wisdom. Otherwise, the evil generated from the ruin of the large masses of the world (who neglect their duties by following his example), will bring him down, even if he were a follower of pure Jnana Yoga. – Sri Ramanuja
Whatever the superior person upholds as pramanam, authority, be it Vedic or secular - an ordinary person follows; i.e., he accepts that very thing as authoritative. (Hence, Krishna advises Arjuna who stands confused about his dharma in war, to follow his (Krishna’s) advice.) – Sri Sankara
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In the present context, the श्रेष्ठः śrēṣṭhas are the leaders in power, governing the country. When they fail in their duty to practice dharma, we need a Krishna to appear as promised by Him in "yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glaanirbhavati" to make a course-correction and guide the country and lead the people back on to the right path. Let us pray that such an avatara-purusha comes to restore Bharatavarsha to its pristine glory. May the Lord's spirit empower him to act properly and effectively.