Bhalne' ?
Apwnar lekhiyake, mwr-u baatori -tw xuni bor bhaal lagi gol kintu dei. I am really elated by this bit of good news. There are a number of reasons why it is such a good development. Allow me to count the ways:
1: Now that signs proclaim that bribe giving and taking are punishable offenses, people will refrain from
a: Offering bribes. Since Kharkhowa raiz have gotten accustomed to offering bribes, out of the goodness
of their pure hearts, it has been very hard to prevent them from spoiling their underpaid fellow govt.
servants by offering bribes, for example tipping in restaurants by Americans. It has become a
cultural trait. Now they would know that it has been bad and that it is actually illegal. That should
bring this destructive habit to a grinding halt. Or so one would hope.
b: Accepting bribes also have become a cultural habit. It is like declining an offer for a 'tamwl" , a "paan"
for the Hindiphiles' ; a cultural snub. Why would anyone wish to offend a fellow man by declining to
accept the offer of a serving of "tamwl-paan", or a cup of tea, or a bribe for that matter? With the signs
all over the place, the potential bribe-taker will, out of civic duty, if for no other reason, will stop
accepting it.
2: Slogans on billboards ( hoardings to our desi-bhais) will not only keep the effort in front and center of this huge undertaking, it will also declare to the world: Look, we are no push-overs. We are doing something about this cancer in our public lives. Just like the anti-smoking billborads, and the anti-betel-nut -chewing -and -spitting- in- public- staircases -and -building - corridors.
I an bracing myself for a sudden return to a no-bribe society. It would be a rude shock though, don't you think? It will be like going to Dilli and finding yourself breathing clean air all of a sudden.
3: Hoardings are great for enhancing the beauty of our lovely Assamese landscape, which requires contrasting accents, preferably with a liberal application of reds ,oranges and yellows; to break the monotony of a lush green but boring backdrop.
Similarly the drab interiors of public offices, dimly lit ; flickering tubelights making even the living look
pallid and dead ; could be perked up visually with nicely framed and brightly colored signs. Would give new meaning to the slogans as works of art.
4: Now that compound walls all over Assam are no longer plastered with the horrific graffiti of a bygone AGP era and are merey replaced by Hindi film posters displaying assorted erotica - an eco friendly and family values promoting decorative element ( since they can't last for ever unlike the AGP graffiti painted with tar and other durable media) to complement the urban, suburban and even rural environments, a new breed of graphic design elements ( graffiti to the uncharitable) promoting civic duty is a natural evolution of our ancient morays. What a brilliant idea!
5: PUNISHABLE OFFENSE! That ought to make the bribers and bribees shake in their chappals. Is it a great idea or what? I am of course looking at all the new jobs trhat would be created for enforcing the rule of laws. Police ranks would swell. Do you think we will need more jails? Or maybe the punishment could be in terms of fines, which should put the treasury in the black again, if not go over the top, like my cup of enthusiasm running over this morning.
Anyway, I don't think I can handle it any more. Enough euphoria for one morning Baiti. What do you think?
Sorry if I caused any displeasure among my fellow netters, even though it is unlikely. I think I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, like I often do.
Xewa lobo,
Apwnalokor bondi,
Tilok Daktor
At 12:24 AM -0500 10/21/03, Alpana Sarangapani wrote:
http://www.pratidinassam.com/oct2103/ap01.html � IIRC, Krishanu had suggested something like this. Like putting this kind of "slogans"� on a billboard or something, and now it is really going to happen in Assam. � BTW, in case your computer can't read the writings, it is about urging people not to take or give bribes, and it talks about putting little signs (saying, ghus nekhabo aaru nidibo, ghus khuwa aaru diya�duitaai aainor sokut xaastimulok oporadh) on all government offices and public enterprises. These signs will have to be displayed on the doorways and also on the lounges. There will�also�be phone numbers which people can use to report�if anybody tries to take bribes.�Good for everyone. I am so glad. � Then again, I am also thinking if the signs are also in English or any other language, it will be kinda embarrassing in front of those guests. :-) Of course if those guests�themselves�are honest, that is._______________________________________________
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