Republic Day ...

Nah, I didnt get up at 6.30am today - didnt have to go for a flag hoisting at school! .. And I didnt get those free Jalebi's and Samosa's as well :-( (both of which I absolutely love).

When you live away from home you realise how special it is to be within your country - amongst your own people. Safrron, white, green and blue - representing a billion different identities - all livign together under one flag, same ideology (well almost) and character. Biggest democracy in the world is what we call "India". We are a great nation ..... Country of Buddh, Chanakya, Akbar, Laskmibai, Gandhi, Patel and offcourse Sachin's straight drive - well for that matter Sachin's paddle, sweep, reverse sweep and leg spin :-) Think about it, which other nation speaks 36 different languages (forget those million dialects), follows more than 5 religions - and certainly worships more than a million gods. No One! ...

I am sad though, sad for the fact that whatever I wrote above is only "some what" true nowadays. India is battling corruption (probably 100x in magnitude than late 70 & 80s), crime, terrorism, poverty, inflation and worse - apathy of its people to change the situation. I am sad that our great nation is polarized between ideologies and practises, capitalism and socialism. Government is a thug - between 2003 and 2008 look at the magnitude of public assets transfered to private treasuries, be it Oil & Gas assets, Coal mines, telecom etc.... In my favourite language of all "Gujju" we have a saying - "jeno raja vyapari teni praja bhikhari" and it suits perfectly to the Indian context right now. We the "aam aadmi" are not fighting inflation because we are poor but our state has not left us any income generating asset to finance the deficit. In a better way - "we are fucked!" Aam aadmi "aam" toh kya "gutli" bhi nahi kha sakta ... for once need, comfort and luxury are sold at the same price in India (Onion, beer and Petrol all at Rs. 65)

It is really sad to see all of it happen under the leadership of an honest guy like Dr. Singh, however, reality is that riches have become richer and poor has become poorer. State is not funding any new infrastructure porjects (because honestly it cant). what we call a "public-private" partnership is a hoax to transfer fruitful assets to the private sector. Govt is neither enterprising nor commited to the good of comman man. I am tired of all the scandals, tired of justice being defered, of all the state of affairs generally. Govt is corrupt, opposition wants its own share, parliament doesnt work - One gets paid for not working in a country where if I don't end up working for 12 hours a day I will get paid nothing. Kaise, Kyun aur Kab tab chalega? I didnt vote to see myself being mocked at ......

May be with all the virtues, we have to accept some of the vices. Question is till when? You, me, us have to decide! .....