Rajesh and Azad garu went to get a learner's license for Rajesh

Rajesh - Azad garu, there’s a corrupt officer here. If I don’t pay, there’s a good chance I won’t pass. Why waste my time?

Azad - If you can’t pass without bribing, you’re not ready to drive.

Rajesh - So I should just keep failing? Everyone else is paying and moving on.

Azad - Don't let them. Since when do we justify our actions based on others' shortcuts?

Rajesh - But, Azad garu, it’s not just a shortcut; it’s practically necessary... They make it impossible without a bribe.

Azad - Then raise your voice, challenge it, report it, but don’t contribute to it. If we keep paying, the cycle never ends.

Rajesh - And who will care if one person stops bribing?

Azad - That’s what they want you to believe. Out of 40 crore people, we were very few who fought against injustice... and the result?!

Rajesh - Idealistic words… ahhhh, why don't you understand? Practically, I need the license. What do I do if bribery is the only way?

Azad - Fight it. Report it. Stand strong.

Rajesh - Easy to say, hard to do. I can’t afford delays. I need that license now.

Azad - And at what cost? Your integrity?

Rajesh - Again… Well, integrity is nice, but I’m stuck in reality. I can’t risk falling behind because of one test.

Azad - Reality is shaped by choices. If you keep bending, it’ll break you one day.

Rajesh - So you’re saying I should sacrifice my time, energy, maybe even my job, just to avoid a bribe?

Azad - Yes, because standing for something means accepting sacrifices. If you can’t start here, where will you ever stand strong?

Rajesh - I weigh things, Azad garu. I am also a patriot like you… just because I am ready to bribe here doesn’t make me fall. I’m doing this to save time so that I can contribute that time to something greater.

Azad - I agree with weighing things. In fact, Bhagat Singh and I once had a similar discussion. But in the name of weighing things, you’re not actually weighing them. Trust me, you’ll end up skipping all aspects in the name of weighing. Learn how to weigh things first.

Rajesh - Ahh, enough… What if I’m the only one left standing? What then?

Azad - Then you’ll stand tall.

Rajesh - The world doesn’t work on ideals. Practicality matters, especially when everyone else is taking this road.

Azad - Practicality is often just an excuse for avoiding responsibility, you know. If we all took shortcuts, what would be left of our principles? By the way, don’t say you’re still weighing things and giving importance based on weights.

Rajesh - Well, okay… Principles don’t pay bills or get me a license. Sometimes, it’s necessary to adapt to the system, even if it’s flawed. We can fight later on.

Azad - Fight later? Adapt? Or surrender? There’s a difference. If you bend your values for every inconvenience in the name of weighing, you’ll end up with none.

Rajesh - So, I should just keep failing? Keep trying in a system that demands bribes? It’s a waste of time.

Azad - Maybe it takes time, yes, but if you give in now, you’ll give in forever. One compromise leads to another.

Rajesh - What if I get stuck? What if the only way forward is a bribe? Should I stay stuck for life?

Azad - Better to stay stuck with dignity than to move forward with guilt.

Rajesh - And what’s that? My "integrity"? It’s just a fancy word. In the real world, survival matters, no?

Azad - Integrity is more than a word; it’s your backbone. Without it, you’re just floating, with no foundation, no purpose.

Rajesh - So you’d rather I suffer than take a practical step? That’s easy for you to say, Azad garu. Not everyone can afford to be so rigid.

Azad - Rigid or resilient? If we keep bending, we’ll break. And who said standing up is easy?

Rajesh - But what difference will it make? If I refuse, the system won’t change overnight. I’ll just be another person getting delayed.

Azad - Maybe. But change doesn’t happen without a few people willing to take that first step. Every movement starts somewhere.

Rajesh - Fine, maybe I’ll try. But if it fails, don’t expect me to keep wasting my time.

Azad - First, prove to the system that wants you to fall in line; that you don't. Lastly, fight back, don’t give up.

Rajesh - You and your high standards, Azad garu. Sometimes I wonder if they’ll actually get me anywhere.

Azad - They may not bring you success, but still stand firm. 

Rajesh - Okay, sir… but I made many mistakes when I was very young, so, even if I stand strong now, society won’t trust me and will point to my past.

Azad - It's part of evolution, yes, people will judge... so? does that matter? True integrity isn’t about having a spotless record; it’s about how you rise after each mistake. Jai Hind.

Rajesh - Jai Hind.

Live. Long. India.