Let’s urge the government to make the Poor man represent the ‘National Man’ of India. 

Vande Matram- Our National Song is under constant debate and stifle, a large section of people refrain from singing it. Thanks to misguidance provided by hidden political motives. They have communalised the song which had once provided vitality to Indian Freedom Struggle. The pride associate with the song is slowly waning in the heart of the masses. 

Saka Era based calendar- Probably many have not even heard about it? It is Our National Calendar based on the Saka Era. The calendar is out of use and out of fashion for general use even though there may be a rationale behind it. 

Tiger- Our National Animal. Only 1422 left. From 40,000 the count has dropped to a few hundred within some odd hundred years. Incredible decline indeed.

Lotus – Our National Flower. The third world war will be fought for water. With growing industrial pollution and sewage outlets in rivers, lakes and ponds, water is in acute shortage already. The water born flower will someday perish eternally. 

Peacock- Our National bird. Not sure about its endangerment, but with increasing deforestation its number must be taking a hit. 

Banyan Tree – Our National Tree. With rapid industrialization and growing population, the pressure on land has increased. More is required for housing and industries leaving little for our saviors-‘The trees’.

The count of trees in general is declining at a tremendous rate. 

Mango – Our National Fruit. It is already out of reach of common man’s pocket and costs a crazy Rs. 100-150 a Kg at many places. With cultivation of mangoes declining in number “Aam khatte hain” will become a common usage because of the soaring prices. 

Dolphins- Latest entry in the National symbols, Our National Aquatic Animal, is already an endangered species with its numbers taking a holy dip in the mighty Ganges and going down further. 

There seems to be strong correlation between the National Symbols and their decreasing count.

The effect although not deliberate makes me feel that there is some magical power which makes their numbers decline. As most of the Government’s poverty alleviation programmes have failed to achieve the result I therefore advocate making the Poor Man the National Symbol of India hoping that the magic works again and makes him a rare species in the days to come. 

We have tried our politicians; let’s give chance to magic now.