Tip not Bribe?
Tweets have dislodged essays to make novels out of precise observations of mankind.
T
he direct messages window of @twitter makes it a more delectable mode of communicating with one another as long as it is not being used as a trash can or missile carrier of obnoxious messages.
Of late, I have found this avenue to have surprisingly, opened up floodgates of many a suggested topic on which to pour my heart out, unmindful of time or bent of mind as well as the mindsets of various categories of readership.
While, on the one hand, this is a boon for so many novel, topical, hot and newsworthy subjects are being liberally loaded into my mind, yet, I find it all resulting in a ‘writers block’ .Ironical?
Strange but true. For I am as the proverbial mule – who would do nothing bid by it’s master unless it feels euphoric as the galloping horse in the race-course.
However, to share these interesting subjects of wide interest, let me pour them all out, one after another, so that all you throbbing minds, could render wholesome Justice, to them in your own blogs or media of expression. What matters ultimately is only the ‘ public-opinion’.
Poser numero uno – ‘why don’t you detail the ways in which the incumbent government can bring to logical conclusion all those long-pending cases of scamster leaders, nepotism, corruption, mega deals of defense sector, oil , inland waterways, telecom, coal mines, agriculture, food, banking, industrial licenses, loans to conquer spiraling debts, acquisitions, mergers, amalgamations, hawala & front end television channels acting as shields for money laundering clubs, and so on…?’.
Second poser -‘ are judgments delivered over cocktails in the Lutyen’s club zone or delivered via baskets filled with dry fruits, nuts, cash and the desired ruling?’
Third poser – ‘ why are tycoons of large scale ponzi-scams let out on parole and how can any ex-minister who interfered with court proceedings, to secure a bail order for a noted alleged criminal, be let Scot-free by both press-media and government, alike?’.
Oh, and, the train of posers goes on…
Ranging from varied other pertinent topics such as –
# why rivers are not linked within the nation though shared with neighboring nations;
# why only ten percent of armed forces face real border postings and perilous duties;
# why no rations are given to para-medical personnel, as done for military folk;
# why is there no uniform syllabus across the nation; why are advocates not entitled to issue of credit-cards though their services are sought for mundane issues such as bounced cheques or unpaid phone-bills;
# why are criminals and illiterates allowed to contest polls when autonomous bodies like election commission are manned by seasoned civil services officers or the like;
# why are onions not one rupee per kilogram throughout the country and year though nothing drastic happens in between the time period or the distance between these places;
# why does every Prime Minister end up taking refuge behind collective responsibility of parliament without acting on pre-poll confidence exhibited to bring about a sea-change, etc; etc..
All quite logical. Pertinent. Not an impudent question, there!
Most burning issues.
All tweet about these societal affairs everyday.
So much of din, noise, solutions, counter-arguments advanced-day in and day out. Beyond twilight of wisdom.
Across spectrum of patience, tolerance, ignorance, innocence, gullibility and sagacity.
The concerns are genuine. Hardships umpteen. Agony untold. Miseries compounded. Voices galore.
Is it the curse of education, knowledge, wisdom?
Or,a total failure on part of the learned to unlearn principles and moral lessons learnt over schooling, collegiate and higher education in varsities of repute and long-standing?
Well, opinions vary even on this point of evaluation.
Imagine as to how all these streams of thought which devour reams of paper and gigabytes would seem as clutter and static to the blocked mind ..!
So, I gave up.
I politely conveyed my helplessness to eulogize on topics so ubiquitous and relevant to the theme of ‘good governance’ & ‘ Achey -din’, being not even a cog in the wheel of government machinery or a Twitter-handle with jam-packed following!
They excused me.
I was let off…Free to be.
As one of those countless stars you get to see up in the sky if you are fortunate enough to be far from the madding crowd of street lights, hoarding boards and traffic zooming past … Just an existence !
But, conscience rankles. . !
So, I permit a bit of stretching, of the grey cells.. The cerebellum of a 20/7/365-attorney is forever filled by sense of justice versus injustice. So, fair-play became the theme. A catchword, now!
When officials of few departments as customs, central excise, income tax and police become entitled to ‘rewards’ as whistle blowers though acting in line of duty and stewards, waiters and other such hospitality staff are legitimately allowed to receive ‘tip’ , why is it illegal to ‘ accept bribe ‘,in discharge of function of an office or post of profit?
Be it a traffic constable or a top bureaucrat; be it a magistrate overburdened with several thousand cases for disposal or a local grassroots level political functionary helping a loan applicant wade through quagmire of red tape from pillar to post,
Why are these beings looked down as the outcasts of a moral society ?
How is a tip different from a bribe?
Why is a bribe differentiated from goodwill payment?
Why is extortion legitimate only for the wicked or the mighty goons in society?
Why is it legal for a government to legislate and impose tax after tax on all sections of the society but illegal for toiling masses to seek exemption from payment of uncertain tax burdens levied, so unceremoniously, by successor-regimes?
A ‘ tip’ is an abbreviation for a most humane action . It reads and means -‘to insure promptness’!
Bribe?
Illegal gratification. Appeasement. Playing with needs of another to satisfy one’s own needs. Such are these innocuous sounding explanations of the little word-‘bribe’ .
Tip or bribe?
Why not legitimize acts of giving and receiving of bribe?
That would help dismiss approximately one-third of cases pending before the special tribunals, fast track courts, anti corruption civil courts, departmental enquirer and the sort. Fear of stigma would vanish from the minds of the doers. Files will be disposed off quickly. After all, might us right, said poor Darwin.
Mankind can evolve further only if society breathes free and happily. Governments do get elected on popular belief of fibs carried in manifestos and the populist leaders hide behind facade of others’ incompetence to explain their non-performance. So, end the aches. No longer shall bribery be deemed a criminal offense. Morality? Oh, hasn’t society accorded a collective burial to good conscience, long ago ?
Tip the best briber.
Oh, no. Don’t call it a ‘kickback’. Else, ghosts of past governments who seem to haunt the corridors of new government of great expectations and good intentions, would feel an affront to their dignity. And, tax us further in the guise of a ‘ defamation tax ‘ …
Well, to begin this perestroika of modern messed-up societal systems, let us at least do away with holidays of every auspicious occasion. As those overseas do, just pack off during summers for one full month and re-energize yourselves. Productivity and several man-days of output must not be sacrificed.
We are no longer a prosperous, culturally rich Hindu nation. To celebrate festivals and happily indulge in idle hours, every other day.
We are now a dubiously labeled ‘secular’ nation. A ‘free-for-all’. Poverty knocks honest citizens. Poor hut – dwellers have their wine-like toddy-habits to douse all woes in their habitual manna. The nouveau rich adopted wine-tasting and fast-food dietary habits. Lifestyles so very orderly. Literally living off ‘ orders’ …
No, tipsy society… only hip-hop households. All in all, a lost, fallen country of converts, traitors, moles who seemingly thrive over hard-working, honest, God-fearing, conscientious and patriotic majority of countrymen.
Tip or bribe? Tip not bribe?
As easy to answer as the first question -‘ tweet of essay?’ …
In God we do trust!
- Myth of Myth - September 19, 2023
- The Witches’ Brew - September 15, 2023
- Institutions as Custodians - September 14, 2023
In this fast changing world, people have no time for their families, friends & relatives. So there is a paucity of only ONE THING – Time. Those who have no shortage of wealth, will seek both Tip & Bribe so that their job is done in quickest possible time.
The middle class does not think differently too as Time is money for them. So Tip & Bribe is OK
People from lower strata of society are the real sufferers of the SYSTEM. But to survive in this Virtual world, they have to resort to Bribe.
Therefore Tip & Bribe are going to stay for ever, whether you like it or not.
To or not to legitimize the informal bribe as is done with formal practice of tipping is the question afflicting minds of planners,policy-makers and governments.
All systems are man – made.
Can only be repaired by men in power.
To re-set derailed social order is the need of the hour.
A masterpiece again by accomplished writer and thinker PVR
Thank you . Best regards.