"Saab, Chai-Pani???"
Contrary to the popular perception that corruption is on the rise, Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index showed a decrease in corruption over the last one year....??????
Coming back from Canada to Mumbai after 5 long years, i realised things haven't changed much the moment I landed at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
After clearing the customs, as I was getting out, a few constables asked for my gate pass. When i was done showing them, one said, " And what about us??"
Looking at my confused expression one responded, "Kya saab, kuch chai-pani??" It hit me then, where i was...
It took one week for my cargo to reach Mumbai, i was happy that it reached Mumbai and not Mexico. Here more than the air travel people are worried about their bags getting lost. I get a call from the agent saying that there is a strike, so my baggage couldn't be delivered. If i needed it urgently, i had to give them some 'Chai-Pani' so that they could make alternate arrangements. Since i needed my stuff, without thinking much i agreed.
I was planning to do my masters in Mumbai, so my hunt for college began. As i had arrived in mid-term, i couldn't get any form, so i had to pay some 'Chai-Pani' to the peon to get me the admission forms.
Getting admission forms were not enough, i lacked a document which was essential for the admission. Here started my rounds to government offices. I was given the bad news, that it would take a month for my documents to get done. But an officer offered to get my document done soon in exchange of some 'Chai-Pani'. Now i was getting used to this trend. Chai-Pani is a subtle word for bribe, i learned.
After all the tedious rounds to colleges and government offices, i decided to relax a bit. I and friends planned to go for a movie. A traffic constable stopped me, as i was talking on hands-free while driving. The cop said that it is not allowed in Mumbai, i would have to pay a fine.
As i was getting aware with the tips and tricks, i tried a diplomatic conversation, "How much do you want?" was my best try. The cop just said. " just some Chai-Pani" I handed over a Rs.100 note. And so went the Chai-Pani into his pocket.
We reached the theater, bought the tickets, .as were were late, we needed the help of the gate keeper to find us our seats. As we were about to settle down in our seats, the gate keeper asked me, "Saab, Chai-Pani??".........
Coming back from Canada to Mumbai after 5 long years, i realised things haven't changed much the moment I landed at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
After clearing the customs, as I was getting out, a few constables asked for my gate pass. When i was done showing them, one said, " And what about us??"
Looking at my confused expression one responded, "Kya saab, kuch chai-pani??" It hit me then, where i was...
It took one week for my cargo to reach Mumbai, i was happy that it reached Mumbai and not Mexico. Here more than the air travel people are worried about their bags getting lost. I get a call from the agent saying that there is a strike, so my baggage couldn't be delivered. If i needed it urgently, i had to give them some 'Chai-Pani' so that they could make alternate arrangements. Since i needed my stuff, without thinking much i agreed.
I was planning to do my masters in Mumbai, so my hunt for college began. As i had arrived in mid-term, i couldn't get any form, so i had to pay some 'Chai-Pani' to the peon to get me the admission forms.
Getting admission forms were not enough, i lacked a document which was essential for the admission. Here started my rounds to government offices. I was given the bad news, that it would take a month for my documents to get done. But an officer offered to get my document done soon in exchange of some 'Chai-Pani'. Now i was getting used to this trend. Chai-Pani is a subtle word for bribe, i learned.
After all the tedious rounds to colleges and government offices, i decided to relax a bit. I and friends planned to go for a movie. A traffic constable stopped me, as i was talking on hands-free while driving. The cop said that it is not allowed in Mumbai, i would have to pay a fine.
As i was getting aware with the tips and tricks, i tried a diplomatic conversation, "How much do you want?" was my best try. The cop just said. " just some Chai-Pani" I handed over a Rs.100 note. And so went the Chai-Pani into his pocket.
We reached the theater, bought the tickets, .as were were late, we needed the help of the gate keeper to find us our seats. As we were about to settle down in our seats, the gate keeper asked me, "Saab, Chai-Pani??".........
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