Corruption in Indian Govenment: a necessary evil?

Like many of the youth of India of my age (let’s put that bout 18-25), I am expected to be a responsible citizen and vote at the general elections. I am told it will lead to the betterment of my country, that every vote counts and to improve the system, everyone’s voice must be heard. But does it, and are they?

Also, like every youth told to run an errand for my parents at the government office, I dread the trip. Mostly because we, the youth, are accustomed to getting what we pay for. In this age of competition, banks stay open till 8 pm and coffee shops are automating procedures to provide us better service. For us, a government department is like going back to pre-historic times, probably a desolate film set from a western. People lounging around, nothing getting done without a greasing of a ALL palms, right from the mama to the babu to the sahib, shelves full of dusty files and fans that turn as lethargically as the workers beneath them move. I have a friend who visited a government office in a rural town and was shocked:people actuallyeat and sleep in them. No surprise to those who have read English, August though, eh? The government clerks actually get a perverse pleasure in torturing us youth.

Some examples: Although the form for applying for a PAN card can be technically filled out and submitted online, the portal does not work. The form has some stupid area code stuff, and the explanation is even more obscure. While receiving your passport, the verifying policeman asks for ‘fees’. In the stamp duty office for property, there are actually rates set for every task, reluctantly but surely stated. Is this necessary? Now there is a redressal forum online, much hyped. Please, don’t make me laugh out loud.

Frankly, everything in India gets done much faster because bribing works and I am thankful for it, since it is cheap compared to other parts of the world and atleast the bribe takers are forthcoming, they don't waste you time with pretenses. Also, yes,theministers are all corrupt, but they hold the power, so there is nothing I or you can do about it. It isnt being pessimistic, it is called reality. At least the bloody system works except for in certain cases,in a country as disorganised as India.

Let’s be realistic now, there is no government in the world where there is no corruption, especially where the population governed approaches 2 billion. Then again, no country in the world has greater caricature ministers than in India, who regularly make fools of themselves on TV. Do these fools and morons actually represent us? You stay for long enough in India, you realize one thing: the basis of all power is political, and if you don’t have contacts, you’re screwed. So all you idealists, stuff it, don’t ask me to join the government and change something, because I don’t know any gangsters and don’t have a criminal record.

We are the youth, the educated, the technologically savvy, who work hard and expect our government to do something for us in return for all the knowledge capital and foreign exchange we are earning them. Instead, we get worthless explanations and huge speeches on TV. Enough of the rubbish, I say.

Those of us living in India are familiar with the bureaucratic rubbish that is thrown at us, and the fact that money is the only way around. We can afford it, so we pay. Don’t throw morality at me,I would rather have urgent work done in a day. Considering it economically, saving 2 hours by paying 500 bucks for a job done is actually a deal. I make that much money in an hour.

If we are accused of encouraging a bad practice, is it really our fault? The mentality of government servants in India is such that they will not work without a bribe, period. So yes, corruption is actually a necessary evil, and those who disagree, I would advise you to take a jerry can of water and enough food for a day the next time you want to get a job from the government office done. Trust me ,you’ll need it.