THE DOMICILE CERTIFICATE

They were the bitter days of my life as I was unable to clear medical entrance,in which I got 7000 something rank where 2500 seats only were available.At that time,I got a letter from O.U.A.T(Orissa University of Information and Technology) informing me that I was able to clear their entrance test and they asked me to get admission by submitting some certificates

The story started with the 'domicile certificate' in their particulars.Me and my papa had no idea over that certificate.We both consulted many adviser's and finally we came to conclusion of getting it from M.R.O(Mandal Revenue Officer)

There started the game .....I still remembered that it was a Thursday when me and my papa first entered into the cabin of M.R.O.We put the application before him.The nice looking gentleman signed it and told us to get from his clerk.

We took the paper to clerk and asked him to issue the certificate.I remembered his first words "It costs...."If my father was not there,I might have slapped him as I had seen many Telugu films,which teaches us that 'killing the bribed officials is the only root-out for corruption in India'.My father asked him,"why it costs?" Till the date,I hadn't forgot that ugly man's glance at us on that second.He looked as we are barbarians.He put the paper aside and told us to come next day morning.We silently walked out...me with blood boiling and my dad with a cool face.

I am highly proud to be the son of my father,who never touched a single penny which comes illegally,though he have the highest chance.I had seen my uncle in the same office of my dad collecting lakhs of rupees as bribes.

Up to my conscience, my father never applied for a leave(for small and silly things), but on that Friday he applied for a leave and we both rushed into the clerks office by sharp 9:00a.m almost 3o minutes earlier than the clerk.When he arrived I asked him,"Can I get my domicile certificate?"He changed his dialogue and said,"It takes time." My father said,"Sir,please take ur own time." We spent till 12:00p.m under a tree.At 12:00pm my father again asked him,"Can we get our.....?"The clerk roared ,"Its my lunch time.How many times I have to say .................."My father just folded his hands listening his every scolding.But my condition was greatly different.I wanted to kill that bastard there itself ,not for the thing he had not issued my certificate but for the thing he was scolding my father.

We both forgot about lunch and stayed under the tree till 5pm.We both rushed into the office again at that time.Then that idiot was not there.Due to our luck another bastard was there with designation as R.I. We had seen that our domicile certificate was prepared and all it needed was a sign of M.R.O. I wanted to rush into the M.R.O's chamber but my father stopped me not doing that. R.I told us to come next day morning.

My father extended his leave and we both rushed again on Saturday by 9am.The clerk was there and I enquired about my domicile certificate.He told us that M.R.O had to sign on that and M.R.O needs.......My father said,"Sir,I have no money and I cant give."The clerk roared again,"Then wait,don't eat our brains."My father could threw a few bucks over his dirty face as ours is an upper middle class family but he explained me that it wasn't his cup of tea to throw money and get his work done, that to illegally.

We spent there till evening,again forgot(?) to take our lunch.In the mean time, I watched many guys getting their work done by throwing few bucks over the employees and I also found an old man,who was a sufferer and he really didn't have any money.All it fascinated me was the emblem of 'Loksatha-the people's power' beside the bastards' table.

By evening our domicile certificate was signed by M.R.O and it reached 'stamp boy's' table and before putting the stamp on my certificate ,the stamp boy showed me his palm as I had borrowed some money from him.That time my father put a Rs.10 in his hand and papa pierced into that boys' eyes for a second.The boy happily put the stamp on my certificate.I still hadn't forgot the R.I's words"Its common in government offices.............."

I asked my father,"Why u wasted two days leave,which Worth's more than Rs.800 for the bloody certificate of Rs.50?"My father answered me in a single sentence,"Values are higher to an individual."


There ended the story............................"VALUES ARE HIGHER TO AN INDIVIDUAL."The sentence which was remained in my brain and I want never to violate this rule as it was the greatest teaching from my father.



1 MORE MINUTE...............
It is my second blog and I will be happy if it becomes my best blog.It is the thing which happened in my life and which is happening in India.I wont say that killing corrupted officials is the only root-out but I do say,Instant justice is the best medicine.I was unable to give quality in my first blog(in the sense of literature) as I almost have no touch with English literature from several days.I felt an improvement in this.But u r the actual judge for me and I feel happy if u give valuable comments..........Mail me at aravind4588@gmail.com (or) post ur comments here itself.