Saying no to Diwali gifts can be tricky

Diwali has just passed. It’s a day of rejoicing for all, specially for bureaucrats, who get gifts galore from so-called well-wishers. However, saying no to such a gift may be tricky.

“Sir, the air gun is for your children,” said the visitor in the camp office at my residence on a Diwali day in Gurdaspur, where I was posted as the senior superintendent of police (SSP).

“But I have no children,” I informed him, thinking that he would be put off. “God bless you sir, it is then for the children to be born,” he declared cheekily.

I had no alternative but to make him leave unceremoniously, of course, with the air gun slung on his shoulders. He was a licensed firearm dealer in an area under my jurisdiction.

Years later, at a wedding in Chandigarh, the host introduced me to a person as a firearms dealer of that area. A glint of recognition made him move away from me.

The conduct rules prevent a public servant from accepting gifts in most circumstances. The rule is, however, routinely breached. The motive behind giving such gifts to officers needs no elaboration. No wonder, therefore, after retirement, the number of people, who thronged the officer’s residence on Diwali when one held office, dwindles fast, year after year, gradually reaching a dismal zero.

I know of an officer in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), now retired, who, on Diwali, would not hurt anybody’s feelings, would refuse expensive gifts, accept only a packet of sweets or dry fruits, and would pass on the same to the next visitor wishing him a happy Diwali, too. The cycle would continue till at the end of the day, he would be left with a couple of packs which he would distribute among his domestic helps.

When I was in the Police Housing Corporation as its head, a contractor mustered courage to walk up to the lawns of my residence where I was sitting on a Diwali day. He wished me and offered a packet, saying it contained sweets. Not wishing to hurt his feelings, I accepted the same. As he was walking down to his car, I opened the packet which was found to contain two gold coins, besides of course, the sweets. Needless to say, the stuff was returned and he was snubbed.

A public servant has to risk jeopardising social and personal relations while refusing gifts. Not many would stand by such a person in times of need. Most would speak ill of him at his back or even in the face. But that is the price which must be paid by a public servant if he is to be true to his salt, and be what he is supposed to be: a servant of the public.

A PUBLIC SERVANT HAS TO RISK JEOPARDISING SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONS WHILE REFUSING GIFTS