Ethically Poor India..

During my stay in US, I came across various Indians who would crib about India. Some would call India poor, some call it corrupt to the core, some would call it's traditions and culture filthy, all in all I didnt really find a true Indian there.. Or was it that the Indian I saw there was the true Indian. One does not require rocket science to realise My love for India. Every time I was incident to critisism about India.. more strongly I would say we the present and future of India should make a difference.. should work towards better future of India.. But I couldnt find enough courageous there. This post is not about cribbing Indians..

During one of the debates with my colleagues, one of them made a point.. "You get down in India.. The first step you take there, you will be incident to corruption." This came soo very true.. I had taken extra care so that I dont have to face corruption. I had done shopping within the shopping limits. I took one personal laptop and one Infy laptop with me. A Big blunder. I had confirmed this with my friends.. But this was wrong.. Legally we are allowed to take only one laptop. My having papers proving that the other laptop was not personal didnt make a difference.. I could see that the custom's official wanting bribe. I was with the mindset of giving no bribe.. I told him that India cannot improve with such things.. no clarity ... usko ekdam zaaaad diya... no there was no moving back.. I had punched myself.. now I would surely have to pay more money.. legally.. But I wasnt wrong.. I was not ready to pay for when I wasnt wrong.. from the time plane landed.. 2.20 am to 4.15 am.. I argued with the custom official.. I had a point.. and he gave his.. finally lot other officials came in.. In time, this matter got escalated to an official I had already met. I explained the case to him. He asked whether I had the papers. I said yes. The official whom I had refused to give bribe to; interfered saying go and bring the papers.. The senior stopped him and said No need. I felt soo great that moment. And then came the golden words... "As your case is geniune, I will treat you as an exception and waive off entire customs. You are free to go." He gave me his mobile number as said in case you find any problem ahead, feel free to call him. So kind of him.

With this story, I learnt one thing. Normal tasks in India will require lot of effort and time. Forget my time at these early hours. My dad who had come to see me this early hours had to wait for me. This long wait to see his son at this odd hours.. was never the worth of money I saved in customs.. but this time was worth the triumph of truth... or was it really??