Laksmi Gunashekar

Zero Rupee Note

How a non-profit in India is fighting corruption with fake money

Culture

Inspired by the nonviolent activism of iconic social reformist Mahatma Gandhi, the activists from a group called 5th Pillar are addressing the problem of corrupt officials, one bribe at a time. The key? An innovative tool called the Zero Rupee note. This blatantly false, oversized purple bill, complete with Gandhi’s portrait, is handed to any officials who ask for a bribe in order to shame them into changing their behavior.