Bureaucrats driving corruption in india?

Recently, I had to head to the police station to get police
authorization for antara's passport application (the extra perks of
motherhood:-)). Anybody who knows the average police babu knows what a
joy this could be. Armed with my cynicism and my proactive anger, I
drudged along to the local chowki only to find, to my amazement, that the sub-inspector there had filled out all the paperwork for Antara's passport and was waiting for me to sign at a few places and ask a few quick questions....
A little stunned by the unexpected efficiency, I mumbled through the answers and tried to regain my composure. Next the guy sent me off to photocopy the form and bring back. He needed Antara's thumb print on it and I though to myself....here comes the hassle. He didnt tell me he needed Antara in person there. I will now have to go back and wake the sleeping child and bring her back!!!! (grrrrr....). Instead he offered to come to our place with me to collect the little one's thumb print!!!!!!! Shocker of all shockers!! an efficient AND considerate policeman. Could this really be true?

photo courtesy : bandra-mumbai.com

He asked me if I could wait for 10 minutes, so he can assist another couple who had brought their 6 year old for the same purpose I was there. I obliged. He was equally polite to the couple and explained everything patiently. The couple had forgotten to bring the original copy of the birth certificate and he offered to wait till the next morning for it. The woman, was dressed in a crisp formal sari and neat shoes. She was fiddling around with her blackberry pearl as the inspector shuffled through their documents. She looked like she headed a market research firm of some sort....(dont ask my exactly why market research.....she just looked the type)
The guy was dressed in formals and was politely listening to the sub inspector and said he would be happy to come back witht he right documents. Just as he said that, his wife shot him a vicious 'you are such a loser' look. She then gestured to him with her hands to offer money/ a bribe to the policeman so they didnt need to come back the next day. He hubband looked helpless. He didnt seem to agree but he seemed scared to disobey and also was well aware that the wifey had dumped the dirty work on him.

Anyway, ultimately, the policemen didnt accept the bribe and they had to come back the next day. So much for educated, well to do young professionals doing the right thing by their country and so much for organizations like the police being bureaucratic, corrupt and inefficient. No more stereotypes for me....!