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Skit Based on Corruption - Class Presentation

This is the play which we enacted for our [XI 'A'] class presentation a few weeks back. The play was written by two of us [Karthiga and I] and well... I thought it was worth posting it here, as it's about the most frequently discussed topic everywhere - Corruption. Narrator: Its August 14th, the day before the Independence Day and the day looked beautiful and promising. One lady is seen amongst the crowd. Though she looked like any normal woman, her noble and dignified demeanor set her apart from everyone else in the place. Yet, people went by without even throwing a glance at the stately lady. For some reason, she is invisible to their eyes. She is the Bharat Mata. Yes, the Mother of India. As she crossed a building, she heard some voices and stopped to listen. Man: Sir, I need a CC for my daughter. Here is my ration card and the details of the childs background. Narrator: The officer verifies all the necessary papers. Officer: Everythings in order, but for one. Man: I dont understand sir Narrator: The officer rings the bell. His assistant enters. Officer: Take him out and explain the procedures here.

Assistant: Yes sir. [After coming out] Give me 500 rupees. You know the procedure or what? Man: But sir I am from a poor family and I have enough money only to pay my childs school fee and todays the last day too. Please sir Assistant: Even I have a child whos been asking for a new cricket set and I have a few rupees short. So either hand over the money or else well, you know the process.

Narrator: The man gives away, half-heartedly. Assistant: You must attach 200 rupees along with the details, if you want to get it signed. Man: But sirI Assistant: If you are to argue with the officer like this. He may even tear the CC in anger and you will never get it. Narrator: The man hands out the money bitterly cursing under his breath Man: They get salary from the government for doing their jobs and yet Dont know how Im going to pay my childs fee Bharat Mata: Goodness This is outrageous! Narrator: But then her spirits rose a little. BM: Therell always be one or two black sheep everywhere. Let me try some other place. Surely itll be a better story there. Narrator: She turns towards a building, hoping it would brighten things up. It was the Electricity Board Department. Woman: Sir, I have telephoned and even launched 3 complaints that the street lights arent working in our street for the past 4 months. People especially children, suffer a lot Officer: Sorry maam your complaint didnt reach me. Woman: What do you mean it didnt reach you? It was me who had filed them directly to you, sir! I hope you dont expect me to believe what you say!

Officer [to his assistant]: You there take this woman out. Narrator: Outside the office:

Assistant: Whats wrong with you maam? Why dont you just give him what he asked for? Woman: What do you mean?

Assistant: Bribe maam, bribe as you people call it. If you want your work to get done, you must give him money. Woman [indignantly]: This is unfair then what is he paid by the government for? Next beggars will start demanding coins from us! Assistant: You dont argue and waste time here. Either give the money or move away. Narrator: Bharat Mata watched as the woman gave a scathing look at the electricity board and gave the money to the office assistant. She looked near hopeless and crestfallen. Just then, she overhears a conversation between a rich man and another officer from the income tax department. Rich Man: Tax What the hell should I pay the government for? Its just like throwing the money into a bottomless well. Im not dependent on them anyway Narrator: His cell phone rings IT officer: Sir, theres going to be an income tax raid in your home, tonight at 8.00PM. Its secretly arranged, so be prepared, sir. Rich Man: Right Ill see to it. IT officer: Meanwhile pay some attention on this poor man, sir

Rich Man: Sure Itll be done. Narrator: Later, the IT officers wife calls him on phone. IT officer: Hello? Wife: Everything has reached us safely. All the appliances are from good companies. I think our child will be very happy with her new laptop.

BM [forlornly]: I never expected this Even the family members, who are supposed to advice these corrupt officials against this vice, are supporting them. Where are the leaders who are responsible for all this disorder and chaos?? Narrator: Just then, she perceived a crowd of supporters following a politician. The throng was going from house to house. In one house Politician [slyly]: Im a candidate in this upcoming general election. I need your votes to win, so please do vote for me. Here is a compliment from me, for your support. Narrator: He hands out a 1000 rupee note and the poor man gets it, without any expression in his face. At this, Bharat Matas mind began to swirl. Politicians bribing people, people bribing officials, officials bribing politicians, politicians bribing people It seemed like a cycle that will never end. But then, something the poor man did made her look up.

Poor man: Were not selling our votes here. Please go away. Narrator: And he quietly handed back the note to the irate politician. The Bharat Mata sighed in relief. A ray of hope had just come into her heart. Tired, she sits down in a bench by the road. A girl is walking on the road and stops by the same bench. Girl: Are you alright, Miss? Narrator: This surprises the Bharat Mata. BM: Can you see me? Girl: Of course, I can see you! I have eyes for a reason. So whats up? BM: I dont think I can bear any more corruption Girl: Oh So youre a victim of that dreaded disease too, huh? BM: You mean there's someone you know who is....? Girl: I am! Just a few days ago I had to file an RTI application to get my work done in one of those government departments. People call me a fool for wasting so much time, when I could easily have done it with some money Narrator: The girl pauses, as if she was going through the events of the past few days. Girl: But Im not going to give any money... not even a paise! Why should I? This is brazen injustice and Im not going to tolerate it any longer. Narrator: She looked pensive and had her eyes fixed somewhere in mid-air. Bharat Mata didn't break the silence, as she watched the girl curiously. Then, suddenly with the vigor of someone who had made a decision, she got up. Girl: I think Ive got to go Got some work to do. It was nice meeting you.

Narrator: And she rushed off without a second glance. Bharat Mata got up from the bench. She looked again towards the direction in which the girl had gone and she smiled. There was still hope Compeer: And that my dear friends, is the end of the skit. Corruption in India thrives on our indifference and ignorance. Many of us are going to face corruption one day or the other, and when we do, we should be sure that we dont yield to this vice. Its high time we understood the difference between adjusting to situations and tolerating injustice, because in the latter case, the more we tolerate, the more injustice will be inflicted on us. Lets Be the change we want to see in the world. Jai Hind!

Karthiga: Its a beautiful morning and we, the students of 12A are here to give you our class presentation. My friends have put together a skit that has a message they wish to share with all of us. Its all about how we Indians are in India and how we are in a developed, foreign country. Over to Naveena.

NAVEENA Thanks Karthiga. Indians in India and Indians Abroad. Indians abroad. Suresh and his friends walk by. [SCENE I Littering]

Y: Yuck... This tastes like leather. V: Tch... Ive got it wrong again... Y: Here... throw this is in the bin too. [C goes near and drops it in] NAVEENA Indians in India... Suresh and the same group of his friends walk by. [SCENE I Littering] Y: Yuck... This tastes like leather. V: Tch... Ive got it wrong again. [About to throw it away] Y: Wait theres a dustbin! V: So? Y: Want to see who can throw into it from here? V: That will be me... Y: Well see... ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ NAVEENA Indians abroad. Sampoorna is with her friend and both are spellbound by the monument. [SCENE II Monuments] SS: Wow... Isnt it simply beautiful? VIDYA: I wonder how hard they worked to construct something of this kind in those days! NAVEENA Indians in India. Sampoorna is with the same friend and both are again, spellbound. [SCENE II Monuments] SS: Wow... Isnt it simply beautiful? VIDYA: I wonder how hard they worked to construct something of this kind in those days! SS: They neednt have worked so hard, actually. VIDYA: What? How come? SS: Well... Everyone knows the easiest way to make history. VIDYA: And... Whats that? SS: Scribble on someone elses monuments! [scribbles] The-ere! Now I, Sampoorna of Madurai have made a name in the history of mankind! [Vidya is disconcerted and shakes her head] ~~~~~ NAVEENA Indians abroad. At the traffic signal. [SCENE III Traffic rules and bribing] BACKSEAT: Hey... the red light... Stop, stop. DRIVER: Drats. [Passersby cross] NAVEENA Indians in India. At the traffic signal. [SCENE III Traffic rules and bribing] BACKSEAT: Hey... the red light... DRIVER: Drats. BACKSEAT: Go, go... theres not much traffic around. [DRIVER whizzes past, passersby get alarmed and jump out of the way] ~~~~~ NAVEENA Dear friends, whys there this difference? Maybe because the laws in India are not as strictly enforced as they should be. But can we take advantage of this state of affairs to create more chaos around the world? Changing the nature of law enforcement could be difficult... but we can always change ourselves. As the old saying goes, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.'

Something weve heard quite often. What it essentially means though, is that when you change, the world might not change overnight. But it sure will be a better place... just because you decided to make a difference. And when all of us start making a difference, change.... happens.