A profession if you can't fit elsewhere.

Let me confess in the beginning itself that my knowledge of the ensuing subject is limited to my country and may seem bizarre to some of you who are not from India. What I am going to say pertains to India and countries alike.
These days, especially in rural and suburban areas, people are not unduly bothered if their offspring or siblings are not interested in studies and are more concerned about their physical development than mental development. They may even tend to be rough and start indulging in unethical practices. Surprisingly,their parents (especially if not quite literate) , rejoice and encourage them as they see a potential in them to become political leaders.
In preindependent India, people were willing to sacrifice what they had, for their commitment and/ or for the love of their leader/ land. They stepped into politics oblivious of consequences and without expectations. I have known quite a few fairly rich business men and landlords who lost everything they had during the Independence struggle. Subsequently, I have seen quite a few political leaders who had held high offices such as Home Minister in the state cabinet for over a decade but were penniless on retirement traveling by public transport and dying in government hospitals. But the moment some people discovered that politics is after all a potential gold mine that could be exploited without any qualification including education or virtues, with just muscle and/ or word power, everything changed. A new profession out of a pastime was carved out and all those with oratorical skills and totally care free attitude in life were attracted to this  like iron filings to a magnet. They became mass leaders and started creating groups of devout denizens arousing and nurturing parochial thoughts. This is paying off till now and those indulging are nonchalant because they are confident of buying anything including justice with money. Once moneyed people for the sake of name and fame joined politics and served the society. Their money was spent. Now, people make easy money with this profession. The saddest part of the story is that initially, when a new breed of corrupt politicians were emerging the officialdom was strict and conscious of values. But gradually, the dexterous, ingenious and cunning political class hit at the weakest nerve of the official machinery and brought it down to their feet. The reason why India is on the wrong side of corrupt countries' list is not only due to the perfect nexus between the two pillars of governance but the casual attitude of the hapless citizens who have started taking things on their strides. I believe we've almost reached a point of no return. Still as a staunch optimist, I expect a miracle.
Some may say corruption is not new and it was prevalent from time immemorial. They say that it existed during British rule. I am sure that only those who are unaware of the type and extent of corruption in existence now would say so. In earlier days it was like the tips that you give in hotels and restaurants that is prevalent with lower rungs in the ladder.