We all come to this world carrying nothing with us and we all go back
from this world carrying nothing with us. But in each of these
activities where we step into the world and leave it away we bring a lot
of pain and tears.
Then why not recompense for the pains caused by us by bringing in a lot of happiness during the time we spend on the Earth? While each of us should share a lot of love and affection with the other, we should also make our fleck of effort to ensure that the world is a better place to live in after we have left it.
In the same vein, to give back to this world, I have always tried to contribute my two cents towards making it a corruption free place. Unlike a Cancer or an AIDS, Corruption is that dirt ball of our society that infects all of us, in whatever small way possible. In my life, I have paid bribe only once - a paltry sum of Rs200 to get some important documents released from the clutches of the police and get my passport issued. And I hate myself for even having done that. I always had a bit of an issue with people who fleece unsuspecting citizens.Recently, it came to my notice that retailers in Bangalore tend to charge an extra sum of Re1 over the MRP per bottle of cold-drink. The shopkeepers claimed that extra amount was for "Cooling"charges. While a Re.1 might not be that big a sum to be paid, it's about the illegality of the affair. I had tried my hand at correcting the practice a couple of times but ended up fighting my guts out, to the point of getting in to a scuffle publicly.
With my words falling into the deaf ears of the retailers again and again, it was time for me to get knotty. Hence, I got in touch with the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) which takes care of all food related activities. I shot off an Official Complaint to them, with my letter marked to the Controller - Legal Affairs, Dty Controller - Legal Affairs and all Divisional - Legal Departments. This way I ensured that I had a greater probability of my letter getting noticed by at least one person. I also ensured in my letter that I left no scope of the responsible people going scot free - by pulling them into Legal Acts like POCA - 1988, in case no action was taken within a stipulated time period of 10 days as stated under the Citizen's Charter.
I am not sure what portion of my action worked, but within just one day of my missive, I got an affirmative response from the LMD. They promised me of a quick punitive action against the retailer involved in the malpractice. Today, just after 5 days (including a weekend) of my first letter, I have got a confirmation from the Department that an inspector was sent to find more on the malpractice and a case has already been booked against the involved retailer.
While, I was really glad that my actions proved worthy I was also sad to think of the state of our nation - as it is today - where every citizen has to become an activist while the government moves listlessly - and I am not even getting into the Scams that have corroded our country and deprived millions of poor of a decent living.
I also shared the positive results, on the Bulletin Board of our organization, that my small action could bring in. I shared the event to create a more aware junta and encourage them into believing in affirmative actions rather than sitting and grousing while our land gets raped everyday.
For me the day ended on a Happy Note when quite a few employees wrote back to me commending me on my efforts and at the same time promising to take the cause ahead. I counted my success when some people even promised to try and make the country a better place next time onwards.
P.S: Now I fear my life as I have already been threatened for my actions. After all it has caused them a loss of a few Lakh Rupees. Never the less, even if I get hurt in the process I believe there are more people who can take similar causes forward !! Jai Hind !!
Then why not recompense for the pains caused by us by bringing in a lot of happiness during the time we spend on the Earth? While each of us should share a lot of love and affection with the other, we should also make our fleck of effort to ensure that the world is a better place to live in after we have left it.
In the same vein, to give back to this world, I have always tried to contribute my two cents towards making it a corruption free place. Unlike a Cancer or an AIDS, Corruption is that dirt ball of our society that infects all of us, in whatever small way possible. In my life, I have paid bribe only once - a paltry sum of Rs200 to get some important documents released from the clutches of the police and get my passport issued. And I hate myself for even having done that. I always had a bit of an issue with people who fleece unsuspecting citizens.Recently, it came to my notice that retailers in Bangalore tend to charge an extra sum of Re1 over the MRP per bottle of cold-drink. The shopkeepers claimed that extra amount was for "Cooling"charges. While a Re.1 might not be that big a sum to be paid, it's about the illegality of the affair. I had tried my hand at correcting the practice a couple of times but ended up fighting my guts out, to the point of getting in to a scuffle publicly.
With my words falling into the deaf ears of the retailers again and again, it was time for me to get knotty. Hence, I got in touch with the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) which takes care of all food related activities. I shot off an Official Complaint to them, with my letter marked to the Controller - Legal Affairs, Dty Controller - Legal Affairs and all Divisional - Legal Departments. This way I ensured that I had a greater probability of my letter getting noticed by at least one person. I also ensured in my letter that I left no scope of the responsible people going scot free - by pulling them into Legal Acts like POCA - 1988, in case no action was taken within a stipulated time period of 10 days as stated under the Citizen's Charter.
I am not sure what portion of my action worked, but within just one day of my missive, I got an affirmative response from the LMD. They promised me of a quick punitive action against the retailer involved in the malpractice. Today, just after 5 days (including a weekend) of my first letter, I have got a confirmation from the Department that an inspector was sent to find more on the malpractice and a case has already been booked against the involved retailer.
While, I was really glad that my actions proved worthy I was also sad to think of the state of our nation - as it is today - where every citizen has to become an activist while the government moves listlessly - and I am not even getting into the Scams that have corroded our country and deprived millions of poor of a decent living.
I also shared the positive results, on the Bulletin Board of our organization, that my small action could bring in. I shared the event to create a more aware junta and encourage them into believing in affirmative actions rather than sitting and grousing while our land gets raped everyday.
For me the day ended on a Happy Note when quite a few employees wrote back to me commending me on my efforts and at the same time promising to take the cause ahead. I counted my success when some people even promised to try and make the country a better place next time onwards.
P.S: Now I fear my life as I have already been threatened for my actions. After all it has caused them a loss of a few Lakh Rupees. Never the less, even if I get hurt in the process I believe there are more people who can take similar causes forward !! Jai Hind !!
