The 'SALA' Model

It's a wonder how small little things can make one forget about all their worries of life and make them feel that life is simply superb. Be it a toddler's innocent smile or mischief to someone smiling at you in the packed metro.

Everyone knows the system of using connections to get things done in India. Termed as the 'sala' model by the famous political theorist, Fred Riggs, this system of using informal connections to get things done is a very common feature in most developing nations.

The absence of something as small as a signature across your photograph in an admission form can stop someone's application. On the other hand, a simple call from the senior officers in the same institution can make officers ignore these small necissities and go around their rules and regulations. In the usual process of examination form submission which would have taken me hours today and maybe tomorrow as well, took exactly 5mins with everything approved from the seniormost person responsible for the same. Indeed, in such cases, everyone does become a 'sala' for one another in a completely indian sense of the word.

 It's a wonder because I suddenly felt on top of the world getting treated like a VIP whereas, others like me stand in the scorching heat and wait for their turn.

I feel happy but then, should i?