Zen Citizen primarily exist for ‘Principled Challengers‘: those who resist corruption, question bribes, and demand accountability, going out of their way to avoid paying a bribe on moral grounds. They are a minority, and keeping their voices alive and strong is crucial; there is no greater danger to society than the apathy and indifference of its citizens.

When I tried to obtain a government service without paying a bribe, I had to make multiple visits to the office. I got the certificate, but at a cost: it took time, mental energy, physical effort, and even ridicule from family and friends. Zen Citizen aims to ease that experience for others. Even if someone eventually gives in and pays a bribe, we want to help them hold out longer, maybe not give up after two tries but after five. 

Then there are the ‘Resigned Pragmatists’, citizens disillusioned with the system who choose to pay bribes to bypass bureaucratic hassles. While they are disheartened by the normalization of corruption, they remain deeply cynical about the possibility of change. This group likely represents the largest segment of the population. Our goal is to empower this group to question bribes rather than accept them as a way of life.

The information we provide will also be valuable to those who may not be morally opposed to bribery but endure bureaucratic hurdles for financial reasons—either because they cannot afford to pay or because they prioritize monetary savings over convenience. Let’s call them ‘Cost Conscious Resisters’ 

Then there is also a segment that willfully circumvents the law—those who readily bypass legal procedures without a second thought. These ‘Unapologetic Bypassers’ are comfortable engaging in corrupt practices to expedite services, whether it’s obtaining a driver’s license without taking the test or securing a service they aren’t eligible for through bribery. For this group, we hope to restore the stigma around corruption. 

As corruption becomes the norm, we must ensure outrage doesn’t fade when the headlines do.