"सर, कुछ चाय पानी के लिए?" I heard this term often in my childhood when a water or electricity department technician visited my home to resolve some snag or from a peon in govt office when he moved your file from one table to another. I used to find it funny that the guy was asking for chai and pani. Later, I got to know the real meaning of chai pani. The term can mean many things, from bribery in business or government or paying a little extra to get things done. Unlike bribery (रिश्वत) which requires transaction before action, chai pani is a small tip (बक्शीश) which usually expected post delivery. In India, every household saves dutifully towards food, festivals and films – plus one extra expense – chai pani. On rainy days, along with pakoras, we cook up just a little 'sum'thing, a little snack to fill the big bellies of the neta, the babu, and the police, so we don't get chewed up and spat out. Worse still, swallowed whole! Chai Paani bank helps us digest this ever-hungry three-headed monster of Indian corruption so that we stop passing the buck under the table. The illustrations on the ceramic bank tickle the funny bone and jiggle some of those skeletons in the cabinet. But one day, we'll coin a new habit when we break the bank. And then we'll break some heads, too! Anna Hazare's Lokpal bill movement in 2011 inspired me to create a satirical take on corruption in our life. As a product designer, I often create commercial value for a brand or business or create elegant aspirational experiences with convenience for users. Reflecting on social challenges by creating a product that can provoke and communicate messages with possible social behaviour change was new for me. When we presented Chaipani Bank to Shri Anna Hazare, he loved the product and story. He said," Thank you for bringing a smile to our face in an otherwise very intense phase". I See Desi. I See Design. Do share your Chai Pani moment! #iseedesi #iseedesign #chaipani #indianwayoflife #socialimpact #design #productdesign #india #indiandesigner https://www.instagram.com/p/CkVM2JdS6Vs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
