- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 1478 views
The day I lost my pride in being an Indian
- Municipal Services
- Death certificate
- Paid INR 1,000
My father died after a long illness at home. I rushed home from London when I got the news, but unfortunately I could not reach in time for the cremation (because of his illness). It was really difficult, but despite my grief and sorrow, I gradually started trying to sort out things for my mother, who had enough to deal with. I had to obtain the final 'death certificate' in order to get the bank accounts converted from joint names to my mother's name etc.
I went to the government office dealing with this. I was told to fill up forms, which I did, got the appropriate signatures from the doctors etc, went back and was then told that I had been given the 'old' form, and should re-do everything. I complied, but then was told that I had to get signed letters from neighbours that my father had died of natural causes, and had not been killed, because he had died at home (despite the doctor's certification)! Despite being really upset, (and probably because of my own grief), I got this done - I did not want things delayed as I had only a few days left before I had to return to London. On submitting this, I was then asked to come back after a couple of days despite letting them know of my plight.. On visiting them again, the day before I was due to return to London, I was told that things take time, and I had to be patient, and that in India we did things 'differently'.. I was still too self-absorbed in grief to pick up what was being said.. I think finally a clerk sitting in the conner took pity on me and led me aside and told me that I should just pay the bribe that was being expected, otherwise I would never achieve my goal of getting the certificate - I was shocked and ashamed (partly at myself for not having realised what had been happening, it must have been my grief that prevented me from realising that I had to pay a bribe). I had no energy left to fight, I paid the person who was to make the certificate Rs 1000 and I got the certificate in 10 minutes....
Somehow, despite knowing about rampant bribery in India, I could not believe that people could be so inhumane and make money from people grieving, at a time when one has just lost their near and dear one. On reflection, I wonder how many people have been made to pay money using the threat that the death of their loved one would be viewed suspiciously. That was the day I decided that I would apply to become a British citizen, something that I had refused to do for many years - I realised that my patriotism for India which had prevented me from applying for a citizenship was misplaced... I sincerely hope that things have improved now and that grieving people are not continuing to be made to pay a bribe to obtain a death certificate..