It was 2nd October, 2011.
All media channels were celebrating Gandhi Jayanti and debates were going on
corruption issue; as Anna had just finished his hunger strike against
Government for Jan Lokpal just a month ago.
I had applied for the
Passport in the 1st week of September and the passport application had arrived
at the local police station of my area to verify whether there are any criminal
cases against me or not.
As it was holiday at
office, I had taken a chance to finish all the formalities at Police station.
In excitement for passport, I got ready early and dressed up well.
I reached the police
station at 10:00 AM. An elderly couple was at the desk for verification. After
completing all the formalities, they gave Rs. 500 (bribe) under the table to the
officer so that their form can be easily cleared. I was watching the complete
scene from a little distance and was thinking about how I should react if I am asked
a bribe. I have already taken all the original documents with 2 copies, enough
to prove that I am resident of India and I have no criminal records in entire
life.
Now my turn... They
reviewed all the documents. It was almost completed and officer is about to
sign verification documents and........
