Lesson

One day, as usual, Vijay, a Regional Transfer Office employee, went to the office, as he entered the gate, it was just like any other government office. People were coming in with documents, struggled with processes and protocols, attended the driving license tests and went ahead with their chores. Many agents and domineering officers mess around and crowd the RTO office. Such things are a daily grind.

Sachin was a shy and a principle oriented and value driven man with good deeds. It was the day when Sachin went to RTO for a car driving license. He put his beliefs on trial. Being an honest man, he decided to give the driving test without bribing any of the agents or officers.

Bhosale, the officer on the job, was RTO licensing examiner on that day. Principles and honesty did not mean anything to him. Sachin approached Bhosale to submit his documents for the driving exam. It looks like Bhosale glared at Sachin and demanded Rs. 2000. Here's the catch! To no surprise, Sachin refused. A junior officer there tried to convince Sachin how things work. While Bhosale, the freak, attempted to challenge Sachin's limit and abuse his education, he rejected his form and threw away his documents.

Bhosale added insult to injury by using the local slang to abuse Sachin and asked him to get out of there. As a reaction, Sachin got irritated and frustrated. He thought a police officer should not abuse him for not giving bribe. Sachin then decided to teach a lesson to that crazy police officer. Sachin was very angry. He returned home totally disturbed and helpless, yet agitated. Sachin drilled and got some more information about this officer Bhosale.
He got to know that corruption charges and various other such cases were pending against him. He also got to know that, it was just six months ago, he was reappointed in one such case due to lack of proper evidence. Sachin investigated more about this particular suspension case. But he could not get any primary evidence against the officer. However, one day an unknown person approached Sachin on the road.

Unknown person to Sachin: "Hey, I followed you since the RTO fiasco the other day. I know you were looking for something."

Sachin: "But, who are you?"

Unknown Person: "I had seen a clash of a principle oriented common man against a freaky and corrupt police officer. I want you to win this clash. And so, I would like you to take this parcel. This should be enough food for your hunt!"

Sachin: "I cannot accept it."

But that person forcefully handed over the package and left in disguise. Sachin went home with the mysterious parcel. When Sachin opened the parcel, he got ample evidence against Bhosale.

The next thing he did was to call Bhosale and asked him to immediately stop harassing people for a bribe and all such evil acts. Sachin warned the officer for handing over the evidence in court. Bhosale stood helpless. He had no choice but to comply to Sachin, and so he did. He stopped harassing ordinary people for a bribe and all his wrong acts. Sachin kept an eye on the officer’s behaviour. After a few months, Sachin went to the RTO office again to take the driving license examination.

The same officer Bhosale verified Sachin documents and showed a green signal for the examination. He accomplished all his tests. After finishing the test, Sachin left the building. One person smiled at him at the gate for a few seconds. At first, he did not recognise that person, but later he acknowledged that the unknown person, who had helped him, was none other than an RTO employee. Sachin finally got his driving license without any bribe to the officer. The officer got the lesson of his life.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Nexus

I told activist Suvarna that I like to meet her for one of the local cases I wish to discuss with her.

"We will" she replied and hung the phone.

I was busy in other significant activities so not able to contact her. Few days passed in between that. I tried to call her, but her phone was switched off. I got an SMS from an unknown number that "I am coming." I decided to call that number. But mobile is out of the area.

It was getting late enough to be worried. I once again stepped into the balcony and looked down. Except for a drenched street dog that was lying down miserably near the gate, not any soul seen anywhere. Rainwater had puddled under the lamp post. A breeze ruffled the mango tree in the courtyard, and a few twigs fell and broke. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Did I hear a soft knock at the door? I turned back and tried to view through door eyehole.

I get surprised by Suvarna presence on the door. I tried to see anybody with her. But nobody was there. I silently opened the door and shocked with her appearance. I thought she might be involved in hand combat. She injured in the fight. 2-3 visible injured marks corporators on the head.

Fight against corruption activist Suvarna is leading activist of this district. Suvarna is head of NGO "Sangarsh" which fight against corruption. She exposes corrupt government official and lobbyist. Also, she faces lots of opposition from the different quarter of people. Sometimes she had been attacked by few criminal, but she stands firm against all of them.

I "Bhavesh" work as a general physician in district place hospital. My practice was going well. I can still visualize that day & time when Suvarna came to my hospital for treatment. Two goons tried to manhandle her on the road. But she escapes it with bravery. I treated her and performed dressing on her injuries. We had a conversation on NGO activities, and I get inspired due to her work. Soon I visited her NGO and observed that she works with great passion and gusto. So I visited NGO number of times. Few times she visited my clinic for injuries treatment. Soon we become a good friend. I get inspired by her work. I decided to join and whenever I got free time I participate in NGO activities slowly.

She told me she somehow skipped the combat situation in the evening. She handed over one bag to me and told me to keep this bag as of now and return when asked for it. She informed me the name of a local gambler who tried to beat her. I requested her to stay till dawn, and I will drive her home in the morning. But she adamant on leaving now. She left the building without further explanation. I still think that how she came and went without knowing anyone from his building. So I decided to gather necessary information about a local gambler and try to follow that person tomorrow.

Next day, I figured out details about local gambler Ajay. Ajay is the right hand of government contractor Tiwari. His boss takes government contract to build the road, bridge, etc. I successfully found his place and followed him from some distance. He directly went to local corporators Suyash office. I thought He might come for some discussion with Suyash. I went inside as a citizen and tried to show that I went for some work. I heard their conversation from outside of the cabin. Ajay informed Suyash that someone was blackmailing his boss for road constructed last year. Suyash told him to be relaxed and calm. He will handle blackmailer by deploying his method.

I realize that not only builder and his right arm but also local corporations involved in this incident. So I decided to open and view bag which was handed over by Suvarna. As usual, I found that old news articles, few departmental reports. I tried to call her and NGO but Suvarna not available at both ends. Now it becomes the mystery for me and its challenge for me to unveil it. I carefully read all news articles and government reports. I found lots of discrepancies in all records.

Suvarna was missing from the scene. Nobody knows where she was? Bhavesh thought she was innocent. But her absence conveys different things. I have decided to finish this matter as early as possible. So I decided to visit that road construction. I only viewing road construction, anyone can guess that poor quality of pathway because of the road is full of path holes, poor drainage, and low standard of materials. My instinct was correct. Lane still in dangerous condition and Suvarna tried to expose the contractor and official. And she might be the epicenter of all these sudden activities. I got confused, frustrated, and helpless in the whole situation because I am not able to help Suvarna. I sympathize Suvarna for her noble cause.

Suyash is not happy about the whole situation. This contract is a headache for him. Initially, there are lots of discrepancies and problem in this deal. He had seen that builder used bulk cash to suppress the issue. The previous contractor was the owner of the contract. But after too much overhead they decided to distribute the load equally. So unofficially he became the partner in the pact. He called his special agent “Raghu” and signaled him to finish the matter as soon as possible.

The Naresh, an officer from Municipal Corporation, was a worried man. Raghu informed him that last incident happened about the activist. Naresh feared that if activist exposed them in media then official inquiry will be formed and they will lose their job, and they will be humiliated to for corruption they did to pass this contract. So they requested Suyash to finish this matter early. Raghu told them he is looking into this issue means they relieved that this case will end by hook or crook.

Bavesh wants to explore the further role of municipal officers in regarding this contract. So he visited Corporation office and found out few officers are involved in this matter. Naresh was one of them. He decided that I will have the watch on Naresh. Might be Naresh activities will provide another clue. He sees that Naresh was talking earnestly to person. I tried to recall that person's face. I just remember that I had seen him in Suyash office. So I wanted to follow him too.

Next day I followed Raghu from some distance and surprised that he came to the remote place to meet Suvarna. One can identify from their body language that they came here to discuss some serious matter. From a distance, I can recognize that they made some deal to end this thing. They will meet again for next day to close the deal at same time exchange of money and all government papers, clippings of contract. A few hours later, I got a call from Suvarna for the bag which she handed over to me. She told me, she will come at night to collect it. I said that would be great.

As usual, she came at night. I asked her about hiding and seek game. She told me one sweet story. I thought its false without any proper reason. I show her my sympathy towards her. She vanishes within the blink of an eye in the shadow of mist.

I informed Police about this deal and place of the agreement. I accompany police to that place. Police raided that particular area and shocked over blackmailer. Police found both Raghu and Suvarna at that site with all documents. They found approx. Five lakhs in a big suitcase. Police registered FIR against all these people. Police shocked over Suvarna involved in graft cases. Police helped her in different graft cases against the corrupt officer. Police seized all contract related paper from Raghu. But police unable to gather any proof against Suyash involvement in all this matter. So local corporators Suyash set free from court.

But still I able to break the sizable part of road contract Nexus. But Ajay, Raghu, Naresh, Suvarna convicted in court. Court sentenced to prison for their involvement in graft matter. But I am unable to digest Suvarna as a blackmailer in this case. I visited Suvarna in prison and question her about the deal she involved with Suyash. But she did not answer my questions. She was my idol who fight against the corrupt government official. Her NGO closed by the government official due to graft cases and irregularities in the fund, donation of NGO. I lost my hope on corruption free India and fighting against corruption. I got discouraged, heartfelt, frustrated due to Suvarna episode. I discontinued all fighting against corruption activities and focus on my general practice.