Tuesday 3 June 2008

Noodi Swamy naviroode heege! [We are Like this only!!]

Most of the petrol bunk operators are corrupt in Bengaluru. But some petrol bunks are more notorious than others, but there are times we do end up going to these bunks, today I had to go to one bunk which I knew was bad. Nowadays there are two people operating together to cheat customers, one guy distracts you by telling something, another guy would have started pouring petrol with one litre 'lead' without you noticing it. One guy was telling me the price has increased, I was arguing that the change is from tommorow, nother guy was about to start pouring fuel with counter showing one litre instead of Zero. I caught this guys only because I have the habbit of closing the fuel tank opening with my fingers till I see a zero in the counter. But the thing I am talking about here, its all so common, this guys didnt even show a tinge of guilt!! I also didnt bother to fight with him, I filled my fuel and left the station. I guess I knew I wouldnt change anything even if I fought with him, so was glad that i was careful and left the place. This guy will go about cheating the innocent customers coming in.. Now now, are these customers really innocent, arent they corrupt? Talking about myself, before going to the bunk, I had paid 750/- to a driving school to get a duplicate of my lost driving license. I know this money will get distributed between police, RTO offcials as a bribe and a small amount into actual RTO charges, but still I took this route because I didnt have the time to run around. Am I really so buzy?? I guess no, but I just want it done easy!!! So its us who are corupting this system, no use cribbing about corrupt system. All we can do is be fair in things which we deliver/ have control of and then hope this will have some influence on others. We can start by treating people fairly irrespective of their race, mother tounge, occupation or whatever!! Ravi Belegere of Hai bangalore had written that people will cheat you only if you allow them to cheat by being negligent, careless. He had cited this petrol bunk example too along with cheating wives, husbands, etc. This is the approach I took today but I would have loved to take 'Shankars approach', Shankars movies Indian and Annian advocated severe punishment to all wrong doers, either big or small. If Kamal in Indian or Vikram in Annian had been in my position, he would have cut off the hands of that petrol bunk attendent, so that it sets an example for other people not to cheat. Wishful thinking!!!