Narrator: Its August 14th, the day before the Independence Day and the day looked

beautiful and promising. One lady is seen amongst the crowd. Though she looked like
any normal woman, her noble and dignified demeanor set her apart from everyone else in
the place. Yet, people went by without even throwing a glance at the stately lady. For
some reason, she is invisible to their eyes. She is the Bharat Mata. Yes, the Mother of
India. As she crossed a building, she heard some voices and stopped to listen.
Man: Sir, I need a CC for my daughter. Here is my ration card and the details of the
childs background.
Narrator: The officer verifies all the necessary papers.
Officer: Everythings in order, but for one.
Man: I dont understand sir
Narrator: The officer rings the bell. His assistant enters.
Officer: Take him out and explain the procedures here.
Assistant: Yes sir. [After coming out] Give me 500 rupees. You know the procedure or
what?
Man: But sir I am from a poor family and I have enough money only to pay my childs
school fee and todays the last day too. Please sir
Assistant: Even I have a child whos been asking for a new cricket set and I have a few
rupees short. So either hand over the money or else well, you know the process.
Narrator: The man gives away, half-heartedly.
Assistant: You must attach 200 rupees along with the details, if you want to get it signed.
Man: But sirI
Assistant: If you are to argue with the officer like this. He may even tear the CC in anger
and you will never get it.
Narrator: The man hands out the money bitterly cursing under his breath
Man: They get salary from the government for doing their jobs and yet Dont know
how Im going to pay my childs fee
Bharat Mata: Goodness This is outrageous!

Narrator: But then her spirits rose a little.

BM: Therell always be one or two black sheep everywhere. Let me try some other place.
Surely itll be a better story there.
Narrator: She turns towards a building, hoping it would brighten things up. It was the
Electricity Board Department.
Woman: Sir, I have telephoned and even launched 3 complaints that the street lights
arent working in our street for the past 4 months. People especially children, suffer a
lot
Officer: Sorry maam your complaint didnt reach me.
Woman: What do you mean it didnt reach you? It was me who had filed them directly to
you, sir! I hope you dont expect me to believe what you say!
Officer [to his assistant]: You there take this woman out.
Narrator: Outside the office:
Assistant: Whats wrong with you maam? Why dont you just give him what he asked
for?
Woman: What do you mean?
Assistant: Bribe maam, bribe as you people call it. If you want your work to get done,
you must give him money.
Woman [indignantly]: This is unfair then what is he paid by the government for?
Next beggars will start demanding coins from us!
Assistant: You dont argue and waste time here. Either give the money or move away.
Narrator: Bharat Mata watched as the woman gave a scathing look at the electricity
board and gave the money to the office assistant. She looked near hopeless and
crestfallen. Just then, she overhears a conversation between a rich man and another
officer from the income tax department.
Rich Man: Tax What the hell should I pay the government for? Its just like throwing
the money into a bottomless well. Im not dependent on them anyway
Narrator: His cell phone rings

IT officer: Sir, theres going to be an income tax raid in your home, tonight at 8.00PM.
Its secretly arranged, so be prepared, sir.
Rich Man: Right Ill see to it.
IT officer: Meanwhile pay some attention on this poor man, sir
Rich Man: Sure Itll be done.
Narrator: Later, the IT officers wife calls him on phone.
IT officer: Hello?
Wife: Everything has reached us safely. All the appliances are from good companies. I
think our child will be very happy with her new laptop.
BM [forlornly]: I never expected this Even the family members, who are supposed to
advice these corrupt officials against this vice, are supporting them. Where are the leaders
who are responsible for all this disorder and chaos??
Narrator: Just then, she perceived a crowd of supporters following a politician. The
throng was going from house to house. In one house
Politician [slyly]: Im a candidate in this upcoming general election. I need your votes to
win, so please do vote for me. Here is a compliment from me, for your support.
Narrator: He hands out a 1000 rupee note and the poor man gets it, without any
expression in his face. At this, Bharat Matas mind began to swirl. Politicians bribing
people, people bribing officials, officials bribing politicians, politicians bribing people
It seemed like a cycle that will never end. But then, something the poor man did made her
look up.
Poor man: Were not selling our votes here. Please go away.
Narrator: And he quietly handed back the note to the irate politician. The Bharat Mata
sighed in relief. A ray of hope had just come into her heart. Tired, she sits down in a
bench by the road. A girl is walking on the road and stops by the same bench.
Girl: Are you alright, Miss?
Narrator: This surprises the Bharat Mata.
BM: Can you see me?

Girl: Of course, I can see you! I have eyes for a reason. So whats up?
BM: I dont think I can bear any more corruption
Girl: Oh So youre a victim of that dreaded disease too, huh?
BM: You mean there's someone you know who is....?
Girl: I am! Just a few days ago I had to file an RTI application to get my work done in
one of those government departments. People call me a fool for wasting so much time,
when I could easily have done it with some money
Narrator: The girl pauses, as if she was going through the events of the past few days.
Girl: But Im not going to give any money... not even paise! Why should I? This is
brazen injustice and Im not going to tolerate it any longer.
Narrator: She looked pensive and had her eyes fixed somewhere in mid-air. Bharat Mata
didn't break the silence, as she watched the girl curiously. Then, suddenly with the vigor
of someone who had made a decision, she got up.
Girl: I think Ive got to go Got some work to do. It was nice meeting you.
Narrator: And she rushed off without a second glance. Bharat Mata got up from the
bench. She looked again towards the direction in which the girl had gone and she smiled.
There was still hope
Compeer: And that my dear friends, is the end of the skit. Corruption in India thrives on
our indifference and ignorance. Many of us are going to face corruption one day or the
other, and when we do, we should be sure that we dont yield to this vice. Its high time
we understood the difference between adjusting to situations and tolerating injustice,
because in the latter case, the more we tolerate, the more injustice will be inflicted on us.
Lets Be the change we want to see in the world. Jai Hind!