"To each his own" joke
Corruption is the favourite topic in the Central Hall of Parliament where reputations of the high and mighty are sold for the price of a subsidized masala dosa.
A recent corruption debate was summarized by a journalist to a friend in the following words:' What you give to the minister is a nazrana (offering); to an official a shukrana (thanksgiving); to the clerk a mehantana (work compensation) and to the chaprasi, baksheesh (tip).'
'But baksheesh does not rhyme with nazrana, shukrana and reduce mehantana,' the friend protested.
The journalist paused for a while, plucked a hair out of his sparse beard and replied:' In that case, call the chaprasi's share a shurooana (beginning) or card pahunchana, because he is the first to introduce you to the clerk, official and the minister.'
Not enough votes...