The Prime Minister,

Government of India,

New Delhi.

Sir,

I am a very normal citizen of India (have all the proofs voter-card, Pan Card and even credit card that too with photo), but then considering the fact that this letter has been addressed to the head of the government could be a sign of abnormality. It’s nothing sir, just reflects the state of a helpless Indian citizen like me.

Sir, I belong to a very small backward place in Uttar Pradesh, the same place sir where your party is working round the clock to regain its footing, seems like the rewriting the old glory when your party ruled for almost four decades . But the task is not easy, our own ‘Behenji’ the beloved Chief Minister is still stronger, she has solid vote-bank not like yours and saffron outfit whose voters have to think every time when leaders are short in numbers and number of political parties are endless.

Situation in the most populous and one of the backward states today is nerving with most people living life on the edge in abject poverty and dilapidated state, ‘Behenji’ is the last hope of every poor who still think that she will ameliorate their socio-economic condition, these people toil whole day just to have glimpse of her leader (these days she is getting stiff competition from your Rahulji Sir) and when her helicopter hovers over any place, they are ecstatic, joyous as if they have been absolved of their karma of previous births, their miseries  vanish and they take pride in telling that she is one of them. But lately she has done lot of development sir, you know there are elephants (I mean statues sir)  all over the places covering each thoroughfare in Lucknow, each of them  are offering respect to the fellow citizens with water pouring from their trunks.

You know sir, when I was small I used to see (oh yes sir, I was very observant) that there was no money so there was no development too but I didn’t mind. Sir, development is still in the state of oblivion and I have huge reservation against the affairs of state, today we have lot of money (its visible sir though in few hands and we are more than one trillion dollars economy), our legislator just few years ago came to our place begging for votes on a motor cycle (it was an old model sir), today he is one of the most prosperous person of our place, he moves in a fleet of SUV’s, Wow! Sir, isn’t that wonderful? Democracy has made this possible.

Sir, I read somewhere “Today power cannot be acquired by the barrel of the gun but by the click of the mouse”, this had a deepening effect on my psyche, consequently clicked my mouse the whole day and again for few more days finally one day it perished (I mean it stopped working), then my mentor explained me that power can be attained through knowledge, information revolution. So trying to use it, hope it helps.

 I know Sir; I am really dumb but was happy, finally the realization came. But sir, this theory is still not understood by Naxals who have taken refuse in the deadly terrains of 200 odd affected districts of our country, they have lot of Guns Sir and I fear every time I travel in Rajdhani express (Pride of our Indian railways). However a fortnight ago read in the news paper that they had sent an e-mail to threaten the CM of Orissa whose server was located in Czech Republic, even they are going places sir, don’t you think?

Sir, the other day in the evening I was having Gulab Jaumuns at Agarwals Sweets (Oh, you should also try sometime sir, they were delicious) then a small girl came to me asking for money, I offered her sweets which she happily agreed but I was disappointed sir, instead of thanking me she left and within few minutes came along with half of dozen more of her kind, I felt bad for them sir as I had to ignore them, unwillingly. But then what can these poor children do, you have arranged for their lunch through your ambitious policy of Mid day scheme but no dinner arrangement, I know sir it is impossible but something needs to be done for these children loafing around the whole day doing nothing.

Sir, your Right to Education as a fundamental right is really good sir. I liked it; hope to see more of these children in school rather than wandering the whole day like vagabonds.

Sir, this is one is really touching, you know yesterday I went to a temple (I do it every Friday religiously sir) and stood in line for almost an hour and when my turn came Priest (Panditji) almost snubbed me and started attending others who were offering Dakshina (I mean money sir), even Prasad was not offered, at first thought to confront the old savage (I beg a pardon sir as am expressing my real feelings) but then felt that it would bring inconvenience to others. I was leaving in a disappointed state, suddenly there was a divine intervention a young lady (she was beautiful sir, dressed in small Kurti and Jeans symbolizing modernism complementing traditionalism) came to me, smiled and gave me Prasad, you must be thinking what happened after that, nothing much sir, she left and I came home but with a benevolent imprint on my mind and thoughts, she was good natured sir, don’t you think? she made me believe that there is still goodness, virtues, hope and bonding in society, all such benign thoughts and positive energy had engulfed me for almost few days, even now am equally overjoyed, hope to meet her some day in the same temple.

Sir, I feel proud when I travel in Delhi Metro, its really good sir, but these days its very crowded, it is natural sir and there is nothing wrong but other day a girl was wounded, there was no fault of Delhi metro but our own courteous Delhiites (I am also one of them sir), people act like hooligans who have just left jungles without any sense of civility, they are ready to hit others just to find themselves a place not sparing even women and children. Our CM in Delhi has pledged to make Delhi as world class city, I share the same dream, we all do sir, but I disagree with one of her contention, any amount of roads, public transport won’t solve our miseries if we don’t have the attitude to respect them, I think people are more important, if we don’t believe in respecting others at the same time projecting the place, setting a good standard, right conduct and above all respect for women, without these we can never become world class. Still through out place the persistent honking, rash driving is the normal scene of the day. Commonwealth games are approaching sir; even I am jittery and pray for its success every day.

Sir, I had lot of fun in the college and was really happy (I know sir Fun seem to be distant word for you, the kind of degrees you have hardly leaves any scope for fun), today I am not happy, even though I earn but I miss my old days, my college. Loneliness has taken retreat inside me and I don’t have time for anybody not even my parents, they keep complaining but can’t help,  my boss is very bossy sets a new deadline everyday, except Sundays, I don’t have to report to anyone just for a day. The gravity of the situation can be gauged through my bizarre behavior.

Sir, few days ago I went to file a FIR to police station along with my friend, he had lost his mobile, a new one sir (These I-phone’s are real out of the world gazettes sir, today they can find their way to our competitive markets only because of you, thanks for liberating the country, I mean economic one sir). There the munshiji (Constable) who refused to file the report, after much effort came to know he too has a family, needs, wants to go to mall, send his children to English medium school that too with a meager salary, but how sir? I felt bad for him and finally obliged and gave him some money, he happily agreed and handed us the report in few minutes, it might sound a brazen confession sir but for the first time I felt corruption some where has erupted not because of craving for luxuries but for simple basic needs, it sounded sense to me, how about putting ourselves in their position?

Our country is going global sir (courtesy your efforts) but some where these miniature public servants are not getting their due, especially when states are under heavy financial crunch still running in over drafts, these servants take peanuts in comparison to our politicians who siphon almost entire budget of the nation and amass in their Swiss accounts, I used to wonder how these Swiss people are so rich. But corruption cannot be justified in any form, may be this is the price of naïve, docile and immature democracy, still democracy and good governance are at loggerheads.

Sir, it is written in the books that you are the strongest person in the country, Wow! Sir I am impressed, it says the whole nation’s purse and affairs moves under your guidance. Few people in Saffron outfit have belied the text book axiom. I don’t believe them sir, the whole nation has voted for you.

If India is a family then you are our head of the family, and I as your child stands flummoxed watching the affairs of the state. A part of me is happy, overwhelmed to see the new express highways, airports, metros but then they are still limited to few places and that too pace of development is inconspicuous, part of me painfully hankers the whole time for more. I know sir, these are complex issues but a person of your caliber knows no bounds, has proved his ability again and again. Even at this age you stand tall as our inspiration. Our population where median age is around 25 is looking up to you, young energetic gung-ho crowd is ready to serve you in this nation building and social reconstruction. I want to relish this dream in this life time only, a long dream which our forefathers and leaders had envisioned. Hope to see same future which we seek to preserve for our posteriors and offer them a better life which is equitable and sustainable.

Yours Sincerely,

A Common Indian

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written by rocket singh, April 12, 2010

well thought out article..a very true reflection of our times...
@domarp I have read many of your articles..and your thoughts were very coherent in those..
however in this one we(atleast I)feel you have kind of vacillated as to thru whose eyes u want to show the plight of our countrymen and the challenges that lie ahead.....sometimes its the aam admi(in the real sense of the term, who doesnot know what a 'mouse' is) , at other times it is the Common Indian(your terminology for a corporate lad,who seems quite well to do,havin frends with iphone).May be its a prevarication on your part or a latent satire ...
waitin for ur reply

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written by Domarp, April 12, 2010

@Rocket:
Thanks for your time...the common man's definition is debatable,for few or most of us could be destitute or people living in state of penury..for me it is broad and encompassing term with varied interpretative understanding...it could be person like me who doesn't have any say in the affairs of state devoid of any authority...it is not a satire but an attempt to put things readable for each of us..humour somewhere is lacking in our life(at least in my life ) and mixed feelings which might seem subtle but gives a better picture of lives and situations...My life revolves around little things happening around us...in metro i see things as a normal commuter...when i visit my village i try to put myself in the shoes of people for whom life is a travail replete with endless struggles to maintain even the basics of life...through no means i intend to demean them or ridicule them for their unwarranted situations...though it is difficult to put ourselves in any other situation but attempt gives a window to things we can't even imagine...don't even intend to prevaricate or put false impression of things..I have only tried to put things which are against my personal agreement...

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written by Pavalamani Pragasam, April 12, 2010

Very enjoyably written!

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written by Raja, April 13, 2010

Dearest Fellow Indian,

I was overwhelmed by your letter Dated 9th April 2010.It has very well narrated the problems existing in our country at different levels and in various forms. I truly appreciate your thoughts and the dream of an egalitarian society and me and my men are working endlessly towards achieving the dream.
But the big Indian dream cannot be achieved unilaterally. The nation has to join hands to overcome the problems faced by a developing and multi-cultural, multi-lingual country which is trying out various alternatives before finding a well suited solution to specific problems.
India has experimented with industrialization and economic reforms (I being the torch-bearer of 1991 economic reforms). But it has been largely seen that the Top-Down approach has not yielded expected results. The economic disparity is widening and social divide manifesting in various other forms, apart from already existing differences i.e. Religion, Caste, Region, and Language. Uttar Pradesh with largest Lok Sabha constituencies is entangled in many such loops.
This time instead of taking the top-down approach we are taking the bottom-up approach. While the process of industrialization and economic reforms will not be hindered, but this time we are focusing to empower the masses. The common man of India lives in the villages who still visualizes ‘mouse’ as a threat to crops rather than a revolutionary tool to empower him. Rajdhani is out of reach and many have not yet seen a basic landline phone leave aside the IPhone. For this empowerment of masses we have started MREGS.
I want to make the people realize that Power doesn’t flow from the barrel of gun as told by Karl Marx, but through the ballot boxes. I want to ensure that every citizen knows his power and rights and to achieve this we have enacted the Right to education Bill.
While the laws are in place, yet there are some loop holes through which corruption creeps in. Implementation of laws in the right spirit needs right attitude from everyone.
While a government employee has the prime responsibility to ensure fairness yet it requires co-operation from citizens as well. A place in government is meant to serve the people,that is why it is often called public service rather than government job.
While everyone is tempted to take the effortless path, yet what “India needs muscles of iron & nerves of steel” as told by Swami Vivekanada. By bribing the munshiji you took the eaiser way out but “jaante ho yeh log khaate kyon hain...kyonki hum khilate hain”.

I as the head of the government have taken the thorny path. But only half the path has been covered. You come half the way and the goal will be achieved.

Anyways I along with my degrees have enjoyed life as you have. College provides the best years of life and I was no exception to it. In fact I had two-girl friends in those days, one rejected me and from the other I am still waiting for a response.


Yours truly
M.Singh
(Singh is King)

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written by umbrella, April 13, 2010

Nice satire though a bit exhaustive! Basically...what u r asking is right. but..from whom u r seeking answers is all wrong! Cz...our PM himself is a pawn..NOT a man unto himself! When a person with a string of degrees accepts the responsibility of the highest office, without getting the unanimous support of the common people through the so called ballet box, it only shows that he is not above reproach! Manipulating constitution and it's laws is itself an unpardonable act of corruption! It all started with that clown Lallu and in the quickest time it's talons reached the highest office too!

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written by umbrella, April 13, 2010

@Raja aka Singh (!)-
Well...i agree with ur take on how common man should join hands with officials . It's all ok...and good when we read it in books! But reality is different. I dont understand how Right To Education Bill is going to alleviate corruption ? It's not illiterate people who are poisoning our country. It's the so called educated people who r buried deep in corruption! There r two kinds of literacy. one is through educational institutions. Another is acquired through planting and nurturing social responsibilities from one's childhood thus molding a kid into a good, conscientious citizen! That kind of literacy is sadly lacking! It's the so called educated ppl who r most corrupted and least conscientious in this country! The most recent example is -The so called former UN official..though well educated..still believes in flexing political muscles rather than playing it fair! Is he an illiterate?..Yes!
When educated unscrupulous poeople rule the country..RTE Bills wont bring in the necessary change. what we badly need is a master plan to eradicate corruption!But who is to make such policies?

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written by Administrator, April 13, 2010

India is a large country, we have the best laws in place yet we are helpless.

The situation of Munshiji is true but who is to blame? Are they not aware of the salary, expenses, perks and lifestyle before being a constable? Today for government jobs and postings, the basic salary never matters, its just how much cream one can skim. Greed and basic necessities can hardly be differentiated these days. PM is not the man to give us some lesson on basic differentiation.

Development/prosperity and trickle down effect in a large and populous country like India are never swift. Yes, its no excuse for the tardy progress and wide spread corruption.

I have seen in villages where people do no work all day, procure Rice at Rs 2 per kilo, do some menial jobs and spend evening drinking pots and village gossips. We had many servants from village, who are paid well (more than they can earn in village), fed well, encouraged to read in leisure but then after some months, they quietly escape to their village and resume their old lifestyle.

We can blame the illiteracy but the other part lies in the mentality of the person and the surrounding people which dictates our decision and choice. Its very hard to break from the herd mentailty.

You have quoted the example of Delhi, where people are educated, wealthy, rich yet they are never courteous. It needs no education to change the behaviour and instill some sensitivity for others in our words/actions.

We may be boasting of our diversity but then one solution solves all problem is never apt for a diverse country like India. Lives, language, mentality, priority, god everything varies in this country from place to place.

Its our responsibility too to join hands together and come forward.

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written by Santosh, April 15, 2010

A very hard hitting satire interesting and factual.

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good
written by breitling aeromarine replica, November 29, 2011

good ideabreitling aeromarine replica

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