The other day, I was with my father to
collect our parceled bike at Railway Station. After inquiring at quite a few
counters, we reached at right place. The main handing over process was very
short and hardly took few minutes. The person doing the needful just said pay
Rs 50/- at the gate to POLICEMAN…. We tried in vain to speak to him about extra
money being charged. However he seemed very busy to answer or else conveniently
ignored us.
We did sense that he asked us to pay the money illegally. Though it was small amount, I was reluctant. I generally avoid
giving hush money. I asked my father to quietly slip off to evade giving. ( I
don’t know how I expected him to do that J ). He firmly told that it would not be possible. We had to face it. Let us speak.
Not much to our surprise, the
policeman stopped us at the gate and asked for money. I started saying we have already
paid. This money is for what? and all. With blank face he said “charges hai
madam.. dena padega....”.
Then my father said “if
it is as per rule, we will surely pay. Just give us the receipt of the same.” With this visibly stunned policeman asked
us to go….
Ahh ha… this particular moment has
given me a sense of achievement. It really felt great; not giving bribe J… It may not be big amount, but for me it was my
baby step towards bribe free society.
I am in strong belief that the small amount of bribes are leading to big corruptions in our country. It has become our attitude to push money to get work done and to avoid few minutes' hassle. Unless we deny to pay, it would not stop. So it is a matter of
changing our attitude and thinking.
Though many of us may find it
impractical and impossible, but I think, small incidences like this surely help in long run. After this episode, I decide not to pay any illegal money.
So
dare to do it once and be committed to the cause forever!!!
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