YOU are a robber. You enjoy the liberty of simply walking into someone’s house, tying and gagging the inmates before robbing them. Sure and confident, you tell your victims that the police are also in on it. You love the opportunities this society provides you with.
You are a Muslim. You yearn for the holy pilgrimage called Hajj and have reached that stage in life where you are able to afford the trip. You apply, following the process stated by the government. You are informed that the visa is in process. You start packing, mentally prepared. Your flight is in a day’s time but your passport still hasn’t arrived. Your travel agent avoids telling you the truth till the very end. Your passports were never sent to the Saudi Consulate for visa processing because there was the small matter of ‘additional money’ that the ministry wanted that he didn’t pay. A bribe. You pay, you go. You don’t, you stay back. It’s simple.
You are a reckless, careless driver. You think signals are there for no purpose at all, except to entertain kids. You stop when you feel like it. Then one day, when you’re pulled over after you ‘didn’t see’ the red light, the traffic cop walks over to you and asks you for your papers, license, etc. You hand them over, knowing fully well what comes next. You can read his mind. You take out a few currency notes and hand them over. You drive off, papers in hand, appointments not missed. Lesson not learnt.
You applied for four new phone lines at your office. You were told by those familiar with the system to ‘pay’ the lineman and life would be easier. You refuse and are determined to follow the process. You fill out forms, pay security deposits (that you will probably never see again) and wait. Three numbers are activated but the fourth won’t be until you pay the lineman. You stubbornly refuse. In a day, your phone lines are dead again. You file a complaint and realize that there is a vicious circle of linemen and all they want is cash. You still refuse in the face of friends ridiculing you and your office is in chaos. You simply need to pay up. Simple procedure. Doesn’t take an Einstein to figure it out.
You are part of a diminishing race that actually follows traffic rules. You’re at a traffic light intersection aiming for a left turn. It’s red so you do the universal thing and stop. But the drivers behind you start honking their car horns. They wave hands and fingers, making faces and swearing. When you finally do move, they roar past you glaring and abusing. You are an idiot to them. They are the ‘intelligent’ ones.
You are a wealthy businessman. Honestly speaking, you probably don’t even need to work to stay that way. But one has to stay busy, so you choose to ‘work’. You spend millions on cars without batting an eyelid. You go on lavish vacations. You buy the best clothes, furniture, watches and accessories. You do not compromise on quality and believe in the power of brands. Yet, when you are charged for services that you asked for, you reel in shock. You can’t pay. It’s ridiculous. You are a man who takes people for granted. Who demand the best, get it and run away with it. You are wealthy but no one else has the right to take even a fraction of what you have accumulated.
You are a diligent worker in a company. You give more than expected. For you, it’s as much about passion as it is about earning an honest living. You thrive on work and you provide the best services you can. Your clients love you when you’re working. They commend and praise you. But when you send a bill, asking for your services fee, they mock and compare. You are ripping them off they say. They found another who charges less for what you did. You should charge the same, they say. Commitment, loyalty, dedication and passion are suddenly intangible and inconsequential. Selfishness, greed, self-indulgence and egocentricity, common and rampant.
Think about yesterday, the week or the month before. Think about what you did or what someone did to you. And then think about where we went wrong. How we, as individuals, have unlearnt the capability to coexist.
How can we be proud to live in a country where the public has to bear traffic jams in stifling heat just because an executive motorcade will pass by. Are our lives not just as important as the man who claims to be our leader?
How can we be proud when the cost of living is on the rise and corruption is its foundation. No one in power wants a change in favour of the people. They just live for themselves. Think and shudder at the thought.
YOU are a robber. You enjoy the liberty of simply walking into someone’s house, tying and gagging the inmates before robbing them. Sure and confident, you tell your victims that the police are also in on it. You love the opportunities this society provides you with.
