Bangalore Police... I am proud of you!

I went to the Parappana Agrahara police station today for police verification (passport renewal). Now Dad and I thought we'd have to pay some cash because that's usually the 'procedure' even though the rs. 1500 application fee includes police verification. We had multiple conversations on this. 'Do you think he'll ask for 500 rs. or 1000 rs.?', I ask my Dad 'I think 2000 rs or more' says my Dad who (unknowingly) practices the stoic's negative visualisation technique. With a sigh I enter the police station, and as I should've expected the official isn't even there in the room when he is supposed to be! I then ask around. Everyone who responded was actually kind and concerned. One them even called the official to come promptly. And he actually did. I greeted my verification guy with a namaste and smile. He reciprocated the same. I enter this small isolated room. The tension building up inside me, worrying how much he'll ask me. Since I was the last to enter the room, I go to close the door but I am immediately stopped! He tells me to leave it open. My desi mind couldn't comprehend what was happening at the moment. He then kindly requests me for the documents, asks me the basic questions and says:'Well, we're done here. You can go now.' I don't move immediately though. I was just staring blankly at him. All that my mind is telling me at that time is 'Look for the signs! Look for the signs!' 'Oh he asked me if I had tiffin... Is that code language for"give me money"?' I of course snap back to reality and ask him 'That's it?' and he replies with smile and nods. I walked out in disbelief. Then the intrusive thoughts come in 'He's probably going to shred my documents into pieces' 'I should've given me 500 rs at least. What if he leaves negative remarks that lead to my rejection...' But those sad, unfortunate thoughts gradually fade away, and a wide smile appears on my face as I walk back. India is changing for the better. Moments like these give me hope. The fact that he told me to keep the door open meant transperancy. So I'm pretty sure everything will happen just as it should... Just as it ought to. ... ... Oh, but then I meet this frail old lady a few minutes later. She tells me she came to bring food for her son who was falsely implicated in a murder case because they are poor. I'm not sure about the veracity of her statements. No mother would want to think her son is a criminal, and no son would want their mother to know he is one. But I think it's still right to say that this story is unfortunately true in many parts of India even today. Sorry to leave all of you with this ending, but I didn't want to give you the impression that EVERYTHING was changing for the better. We still have a long way to go, and I hope we get there as quickly as possible!