bribing india

Bribing India

My husband and I went to Delhi several years ago on some official MCI business. We had no clue about the place or how one negotiates the mammoth building. Upon entry the signs were bewildering – every second room had a name board a designation and then in brackets either “on leave” “on deputation” or “ on suspension.”

We spoke to the all knowing lift operator. He motioned us into the elevator. For each question he wanted a “mamool.” 100 rupee notes were passé. 250 was the minimum rate. “Why do you want to negotiate in the lifts?” I asked.

“Arre “ “he said, “THEY  are so suspicious, they have fixed CC cameras everywhere else.” I did not even want to ask who the THEY were.

Finally we found a doctor who had studied in our institution.

“Perhaps he will help,” said my husband, “ at least he might tell us who to meet.”

He really was kind. He invited us to his home. On the way we stopped at a tea shop. It was the first time I saw someone having “one by two” tea. He also ate some greasy snacks. Whenever the bill amount was announced he would drop his pen or wave to someone in the distance.

Once we reached his house ( a modest flat) we met his wife.

“Did you tell them I am in the jewellery business?” said the wife.

 “I design and sell jewellery. “ She elaborated.

“Do you have a shop?” I asked.

“Oh no she said “I keep it at home. “My clients come here.”

She looked at my glass bangles. “Do you not wear jewellery?”

“Not when I travel “I said. ”Can I see what you sell?’

She looked shifty and immediately changed the subject.

“I did not know guests were coming for dinner. Let us go out.” Since she was already dressed and respellent in a silk sari and jewellery, I suspect her husband had secretly informed her that we were coming.

As we were leaving a twelve –to thirteen year old boy appeared. 

“Is he coming too?” I asked.

“Oh no, he is our domestic.”

She pushed him into a room and locked the door from the outside. “Is there ventilation in there? How old is he?” I asked.

“Oh he is from the hills. They are very sturdy people.”

I protested, “he looks like a child.”

She ignored the question and my husband pinched me. (I used to do that to my children when they misbehaved in public). I shut up.

We went to a restaurant where they ate a lot of food . Then the husband said, ”Do you mind if we pack some food? Our children are coming from college tomorrow.”

A full tandoori chicken appeared along with the bill. He rolled his eyes at the waiter  in the direction of my husband.

We spent a lot of money and achieved nothing.

Years later when the then director of MCI  was caught with disproportionate assets and our contact was caught too. Apparently he spent 3 crores on his son’s wedding ( that is what tipped off the CBI) and also had mattresses in his house stuffed with money. He also had a room FULL of jewellery and gold biscuits.

I now think he was asking me for “cash or kind (jewellery)” for information and help. My husband and I did comprehend and so did not take the hint.

He protested when he was caught. ”My wife is in the jewellery business.”

The judge didn’t listen. There were no receipts, no bills no accounts no clients, just a huge pile of jewellery and gold.

The user of child labor was arrested. I hope the boy reached home. In the melee I hope he made off with his justified wages.