Overview
As part of the continued outreach initiatives of the Operation Zero Bribe (OZB) campaign, an interactive panel talk show was organized on 2 August 2025 at Bhagwan Mahavir College of Legal Education, located on VIP Road, Vesu, Surat. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the college’s faculty and administration to promote ethical awareness among future legal professionals.
The event aimed to encourage students to develop the confidence to speak against corruption while fostering integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in their personal and professional lives. Rather than presenting corruption solely as a legal issue, the discussion emphasized that combating corruption begins with responsible citizens who are committed to ethical conduct.
The programme adopted a panel discussion format, moderated by Kritika Rajpurohit, enabling students to interact directly with speakers and engage in meaningful conversations on legal ethics, civic responsibility, and professional values.
Event Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Operation Zero Bribe Talk Show |
| Date | 2 August 2025 |
| Venue | Bhagwan Mahavir College of Legal Education, VIP Road, Vesu, Surat |
| Organised By | Operation Zero Bribe Campaign |
| Collaborating Institution | Bhagwan Mahavir College of Legal Education |
| Format | Interactive Panel Talk Show |
| Moderator | Kritika Rajpurohit |
| Participants | Law Students and Faculty Members |
Objectives
The programme was designed to:
- Encourage students to take a stand against corruption.
- Promote ethical values within the legal profession.
- Strengthen awareness of civic responsibility.
- Inspire behavioural change through integrity and accountability.
- Demonstrate the role of legal education in building an ethical society.
Context
Corruption often becomes deeply embedded in society when unethical practices are accepted as routine. Recognizing this challenge, the Operation Zero Bribe campaign focused on changing public attitudes rather than promoting confrontation.
The session highlighted that sustainable anti-corruption efforts require a shift from passive acceptance to active ethical responsibility. Students were encouraged to understand that every individual has a role in creating transparent institutions and strengthening public trust.
Key Discussions
The panel discussion explored several important themes, including:
- The importance of integrity in legal practice.
- Ethical responsibility in professional life.
- Behavioural change as the foundation of anti-corruption efforts.
- The role of educational institutions in value-based learning.
- Youth participation in promoting transparency and accountability.
Speaker Insights
| Speaker | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Sapna Pathak (Principal) | Highlighted that educational institutions should nurture ethical courage alongside academic excellence. She emphasized that value-based education is essential for developing responsible legal professionals. |
| Umesh Panchal | Explained that meaningful change begins with individual behaviour rather than confrontation. He encouraged students to view integrity as a practical and aspirational value in everyday life. |
| Arif Ansari | Emphasized the importance of combining legal knowledge with ethical responsibility. He encouraged students to uphold professional integrity, even when faced with difficult choices. |
Strategic Outcomes
| Focus Area | Approach | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioural Awareness | Discussions focused on replacing normalized corruption with ethical responsibility. | Encouraged long-term behavioural transformation. |
| Educational Engagement | Faculty and administrators actively participated in the programme. | Reinforced the role of educational institutions in promoting ethical leadership. |
| Digital Outreach | Programme highlights were shared through official campaign social media platforms. | Expanded public awareness beyond the campus. |
| Civic Participation | Students were encouraged to contribute to legal awareness and community engagement initiatives. | Strengthened youth participation in promoting transparency and responsible citizenship. |
Media and Public Outreach
The event received visibility through digital platforms and community media, helping extend the campaign’s message to a wider audience.
Media Platforms
| Platform | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Official Campaign Social Media | Event highlights and awareness content |
| Community Media Platforms | Event promotion and public awareness |
| Local Digital Networks | Dissemination of campaign objectives |
The campaign continued to engage the public through its official Instagram handle, where event updates, educational content, and awareness initiatives were regularly shared.
Community Outreach Partners
| Partner | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Let’s Go Surat | Digital awareness and campaign promotion |
| Chamomile Media | Content promotion and digital outreach |
| Surat City News | Event reporting and public coverage |
Media Reference
Operation Zero Bribe Talk Show at Bhagwan Mahavir College of Legal Education, Surat
Source: Field Documentation by the Author.
Impact
The Operation Zero Bribe Talk Show successfully encouraged students to examine the relationship between legal education, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility. Through interactive discussions and expert insights, participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of professional integrity in addressing corruption.
The programme demonstrated that educational institutions can play a significant role in nurturing ethical leadership by integrating value-based learning with legal education. By promoting behavioural change, civic engagement, and professional responsibility, the initiative motivated students to become advocates for transparency and accountability within society.
The combined support of academic institutions, community media, and digital outreach further strengthened the campaign’s impact, ensuring that its message reached audiences beyond the classroom and contributed to broader public awareness regarding ethical governance and anti-corruption practices.
