Chaai-Paani

So, I finally had to do it.

My first time but in no case will be the last time because I am in India.

So what is it that I did?

I paid a bribe!

The other day, I had to visit the Thana Incharge for the verification purpose as I have applied for a passport. I had to pay him 100 bucks! According to rules rules, he is supposed to come at my residence and verify my identity and address without charging me a single penny. In stead, I had to go to him and energise him with a dose of vitamin M.

I felt very bad as I brought out that 100 rupee note from my purse. All the time I was thinking whether should I pay the bribe. Or should I put up a brave face and refuse. I knew that if I refused, surely my passport work would be jeopardised. And if I paid bribe I would be a benefactor to the evil of corruption whom we people, belonging to the young generation, at every avaialble opportunity, criticise caustically and to which we attribute the poor state of our country even after so many years of independence.

At a point of time, I was in a revolutionary mood. I even felt like forming a cartel of students of DA-IICT none of whom would agree to pay the bribe. Partly responsible for this belligerent feelings of mine was the book that I am reading these days - "A long walk to freedom" - Nelson Mandela's autobiography. The story of his relentless struggle with the inhuman apartheid system practised by the whites in South Africa is inspiring. Like any other revolution, the revolution led by Mandela also bears the testimony to triumph of truth and power of organised, motivated people.

But I am no Mandela and don't even intend to be one. ( 27 years in prison! Gosh!) I am happy being Vivek. And so I unceremoniously buried the plan of a revolution.

I relented and paid the bribe because I realised that I do not have the locus standi as of now to fight these things. One must make himself capable before he embarks on a struggle. Even Mandela earned for himself a decent education and support of masses befor he initiated the battle. I could have locked horns with the Thana Incharge. But what thereafter? Persons like him are a rule rather than an exception in the Indian system. Do I have the resources to fight the system? How many around me would have agreed to join hands in this activity? What am I but a student?

I could have refused to pay the bribe and then spent months shuttling between passport office and the police station, spending much more than 100 bucks on auto. So what was more pragmatic? I chose the adventitious route and closed the matter by paying the bribe. But conscience cannot be reined. And so now onwards, I am aftaid I will never be able to criticise corruption in the country as vehemently I used to. Because at least for once, I have been a party to it.