Well we all know it exists on all levels of society, and we all do contribute silently and passively towards it, although some do it actively 
, and all of us keep quiet when it happens to take advantage of the system _ At least, the majority of us.
, and all of us keep quiet when it happens to take advantage of the system _ At least, the majority of us.Corruption is a rampant socio Economic situation that plagues any system be it Bureaucratic or a Corporate structure. And as long as mankind is human it will exist. What we can do is but control the extent of it.
Yes we comment and curse and, crib behind the back of the ‘system’ as I would like to call it and as most people do call it. But when it comes to dealing with the system then we all give right in like meek mice. Not all, mind you there are among us the brave and outspoken who tend to question the system, often their work. Well often encountering delays and hassles in the process! Corrupts are not Sahibs, Sir, Ma'am; they deserve boot of the masses.- However it must be Intelligently and tactfully administered.
In the wide network of systems, forms and attributes of corruption are well researched and thoroughly studied and solutions formed.
What I would like to share with you is not about the ways it exists, where it exists or how deep it is rooted in any system, as there are many countless, eminent and respected, authorities on the subject who have dedicated their lives and livelihood to bring out awareness and help lives. You can go to the References down below and check them. Instead, I wish to share with you the ways we can outsmart 
the system that by default takes advantage of the pacifist nature in us. Let’s be frank we are mostly cowards, well most of us – I mean mostly passive; we don’t realize it, but we fear!
the system that by default takes advantage of the pacifist nature in us. Let’s be frank we are mostly cowards, well most of us – I mean mostly passive; we don’t realize it, but we fear!
There are many legal ways and official protocols one can follow to rid the system of corruption. BUT! frankly, who has the time ! Let us see the root cause of corruption Necessity of Money- I say GREED. But it makes ample sense, if you see the big picture, low salary coupled with a system wherein already money = power, brings about a need to make money unofficially. Clerks, lower ring official assistants …etc. All want to give their families the best of life, education, comfort and the works. Now who does not want too. Call me a hypocrite but I feel you’ll agree to the point. So what I suggest is if the Bureaucracy wants money we’ll give it. But Officially. HOW? by making small changes in our lifestyle. As listed below:
1. Ask for Bills! Why? I ask you Why Not? If it is a petty/small shop or a market stall selling vegetables it’s ok you can forget it – I hope you are a reasonable judge of the establishment. But if it’s a Bakery, a posh one charging you a lot of dear pennies for a cake piece or a, samosa priced exorbitantly high per piece then Ask the Bill! It is practical, neither does the baker give you a discount on the perishable product nor does he pay taxes to the government. Is there any sense in you purchasing the goods tax free, but paying for the tax!! Imagine! on a large scale and with respect to India’s Massive population! Imagine!!
Do you Purchase fuel! why do you feel, that the government has stopped subsidising fuel it is because of all those visits to the petrol bunk where the petrol was filled and taxed for but there was no billing to prove it was purchased! But we, sincerely, like passive lab rats paid the tax to the coffers of the petrol bunk owner.
Does the doctor, engineer charge you exorbitantly? Or an XRAY… etc. All these are services are to be billed.
Everywhere you see this is the thing, Medical shops, Stores, Contractors, Fittings, Services …etc. What I suggest as a rule of thumb is simple – IF the business establishment gives you a discount of the counter you need not insist on a tax receipt, as it is more of a win win situation! If not go right ahead it is your Consumer Right.
2. GET Internet !! Why? Information at your fingertips, It’s well known Knowledge is power! But I would like to rephrase Practical Knowledge Is Bliss! Do you need to get a service from the system/govt. but scared about bribery, deceit and delays well then there’s nothing like knowing what you will be in for prior to the event taking place. Like i mentioned earlier there are many ways you can learn about any official process; all you need to bust is a computer system / mobile and an monthly Internet plan. What more you will as you surf the net get to know many other people who faced similar hassles. Gone are the days where you need to go and talk physically to a person and get to know what you need to do! sit at home spend an hour or so and you would know the entire system and better yet a better and more optimised way to get your work done.
3. Speech Best Offence and Strength the Best Defence – Ok, let me take a more practical approach to the idealistic point above. Well if you have the gift of the gab then your work will get done smoothly if not you better develop it. Ok now what I see is never give the Bureaucrat the upper hand. You speak in the local language then he has the upper hand, if the Bureaucrat knows English, Hindi, any language you have excellent command over then I suggest you speak in that language - Of course be reasonable. So the result you have made him feel insecure and now you command the chair. Merits of this is his ego will immediately be shaken and his ability to demand bribe is significantly hampered. Now why strength is the best defence? Anyone will think twice before trying to mishandle/dupe a more fit and stronger person. Why? because we Indians always want to avoid the heat 
For the gents, it make sense to have a reasonable build. For the ladies take advantage of being a lady and thus have the ability to speak in a loud high pitch voice 
, Immediately, the person on the other side most of the cases is a gent will be embarrassed – Highly probable. But there is nothing like knowing the superiors and the vigilance unit/cell officer/s names of that particular dept. at your fingertips. Why>? Scare tactics. Of course to resort to this method you need to be reasonably able to defend yourself physically in case things get out of hand – Be brave BE healthy!
For the gents, it make sense to have a reasonable build. For the ladies take advantage of being a lady and thus have the ability to speak in a loud high pitch voice 
, Immediately, the person on the other side most of the cases is a gent will be embarrassed – Highly probable. But there is nothing like knowing the superiors and the vigilance unit/cell officer/s names of that particular dept. at your fingertips. Why>? Scare tactics. Of course to resort to this method you need to be reasonably able to defend yourself physically in case things get out of hand – Be brave BE healthy!4. Are you in a mall / exhibition / fair – Buying sweet corn in a mall? or something above 30/- and you know you are being charged through your nose then ASK the BILL! s else I suggest you to forego the occasional product and inform the owner that he better get a billing apparatus installed or you will file a complaint online to the CVC/ Consumer Reprisal - this normally scares them, or you can ask a discount. what have you got to lose- except be prepared to defend yourself, but if many people do the same throughout India just imagine. In an exhibition buying products costing above 100/- and not being discounted then ask the bill or a discount. Are you in a store some employee behaving rudely, indifferently, speak to the store manager and report him- be reasonable again. Are people cutting lines in front of you ! Don’t let them! you will be surprised how easy it is to threaten a civilian who is caught in the act of misconduct- Of course be reasonable and polite, and definitely check if you can defend yourself in case the person looks like a gang member 
5. REPORT – It’s Easy. If an organization is not following protocol threaten them that you will report the incident to the Central Vigilance Commission. And with all the crime busting that is going on, murders and killings are no longer hot news, Its like the media is marketing corruption to the masses and are always searching for more unique and innovative HOT selling ideas. So what have you got to loose log online and send a mail to the media. They take it or forget it, It all depends on them. But if You spread the word then it all will be because of YOU!!
6. Keep In touch with a Good Advocate – Don’t run after him at the last moment when you are in trouble be a friend to him and he will be to you, for if you want to fight the system legally you need to know the lop holes in it and the weapons too. Seriously develop a good friend who has studied law.
7. SUBSCRIBE – It’s Easy. Subscribe to consumer magazines that promote consumer awareness like take for example the “Common Cause” P.S. I am not promoting any organization. But I honestly, came across their newsletter on my granddad's desk and my granddad's over 95yrs and he still reads it regularly, and I was just amazed as to the services and broad in depth knowledge it contained, not only they educate but they also have helped many to seek justice. I for one have personally subscribed to this. There are many other organizations, governmental and NGO’s check the CVC website.
Make it a New Year Resolution. Pass the word – 2011 Try Our Best to End grass root Corruption. If the roots of the tree are killed slowly and effectively/ then the tree will die else it will only gradually grow new branches. SO poison the tree and how? Spread the awareness and spread it regularly in Facebook, twitter, Google, anything; but share it and write,speak, practice, discuss with all walks of life and in maybe we can couple this with vision 2020.
Well, this is my humble effort to share with you a small and insignificant points on how we can fight corruption and be healthy along the way but all this requires firstly awareness and discussion. My humble request to you is to please post your ideas in the comment box below, so that others who read this article are also benefitted, Please we need all the help we can get . And use what we are known for Our population and our intelligence and share your ideas, share this too, if and only if you found it useful to your friends maybe on any of the networking sites, promote awareness through the net and help others. Imagine if we all asked bills at petrol bunks and establishments India will become Hell of a lot richer that in the long run will only affect our lives, petrol will suddenly become cheaper or at least we will be able to contain corruption only to the very high levels – The scams and what Not !
I sincerely request you to go to the links below it has tremendous power to empower you with information that will make any Corrupt individual at the grass root level shudder.
Thank You for spending your valuable time reading the above article, i hope it has been a pleasant read.
References:
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission 
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