INDEPENDENT BUT WORRIED

 

Reality and thoughts

Heard of the demand for a waiver of income tax for pensioners?Sorry, Let us pay tax.  It’s meagre. The topic of discussion is not in Income Tax, but on the security and worry-free life of the Bharatiya common man.

I think we should focus on more pressing issues. Let's pay our taxes, it's a small price to pay. We shouldn't fight over this petty amount, especially since we can't take it with us when we're gone. Instead, we should focus on creating a 'sans-bribe-nation' where the common man isn't exploited and no individual is suppressed.

It's worth noting that while some may argue that tax waivers are necessary, others believe that it's our duty to contribute to the country's development. Interestingly, the United States has a system in place that largely eliminates bribery, although it may still exist in high-level international deals. However, we can't compare our cultural values to those of European or American nations. As a Bharatiya, I love my country, and I believe every Bharatiya should too.

Let us prioritise the fight against corruption, striving for a nation where everyone enjoys equal opportunities and is treated with dignity. By channeling our collective energy, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.

In the USA, a common person can buy a home without paying bribes. They don't need to personally visit multiple government offices to get things done. By simply following the rules, one can obtain a driving license. People strictly adhere to traffic rules, never crossing the line or ignoring a red signal, even when there's no traffic in sight. There's no discrimination in the workplace, and everyone is treated as equal.

Moreover, every person in the USA is treated with utmost respect everywhere, whether it's in shops, on public transportation, or even while taking a stroll. This is largely due to the fact that everyone adheres to rules, loves their country, and is patriotic, respectful of government guidelines, and considerate of others. The police force is highly strict, prompt, unbiased, and impartial. (Please ignore racism which exists in every corner of the world)

As a patriotic citizen of Bharat, I adhere to the rules. I avoid confrontations and physical altercations, opting instead for legal recourse. But am I allowed to live peacefully in Bharat? Unfortunately, based on my knowledge, the answer is "no".

Influence and corruption are pervasive, and ordinary people are suppressed everywhere. I dread interacting with police officers, as my dignity is at risk in a police station. Even on a local bus, I'm at the mercy of the conductor's whims. When I purchased an independent home in Mysore, I was forced to pay bribes for registering the property in my name, again another bribe was paid for obtaining a khata. It never ended there, pay bribe for transfer of electric connection, pay bribe for transfer of water connection. The cycle of corruption seemed endless.

As I walk on the streets, I'm at the mercy of bike riders who encroach on pedestrian paths. Even near my residential home, I'm forced to wait for over two minutes to cross the lanes, highlighting the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Do I truly enjoy independence in society? Observing the state of affairs in Bharat, I'm compelled to wonder if I possess any self-dignity or self-respect. Instead, I'm plagued by constant worry, anxiously pondering what the future holds. Forty years of my life have been marred by apprehension, and now, at 60, I'm left to continue living in this state of unease. It's a bleak reality that I've grown accustomed to, but it's not the life I had envisioned for myself. As I look back, I'm reminded that true freedom and peace remain elusive in a society plagued by corruption and inequality. And life goes on like that.

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end- thoughts documented ಸಂಟೈಂ ಇನ್ 2018 by ಸುರೇಶ್ ಹುಲಿಕುಂಟಿ

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