Dictionary of the 'Common Man' - Part 1: Politics

'The Common Man' - is none other than you and me. Who esle has depicted him as 'us' in the best possible way, along with the day to day issues faced,other than R.K.Laxman. The underlying humor in the 1.5 inch by 2 inch cartoon at the left hand side corner of the Times of India newspaper beats the great indian laughter show, hands down. Irrespective of being an indian national settled in india or abroad we still have our individual perspectives of 'life', which is certainly not as gamorous as shown on the Discovery or National Geographic. Serious talk apart - we all know that rome was not created in a single day and neither is it still considered to be a perfect city! It is important to hence touch the humor in serious discussions; a possible solution to hair loss!!

When is it that you tend to pull your hair the most? Let me give you the apt instance; a common feature in every other indian city. After years of lamblast faced by opposition leaders, the reigning party undertakes a positive step: relaying of the main roads and filling all potholes.! Ah!!.. kudos to those who have finally understood the stress and strain imposed on the vertibrae while riding a car or bike, that is if you havn't already fractured it. Just when the road looks brand new and you are all set to take your vehicle out (washed and shining), a second set of trucks appear (god send) and unload concrete pipes big enough for the 'hunchback of notredame' to stand. Either sides of the road are dug up to incorporate the pipes - "we are improving drainage facilities!!" Don't be surprised if the public works department chose to do the same exactly during the monsoon season. Delaying of work thereby increasing the cost and hence asking for more money from the centre or the state. If that wasn't enough; the telecom industry brings down their machinery to dig right in the middle of the road (lest they have to deal with the underlying infrastructure) - and believe me there is competition (Reliance vs TATA vs Vodafone vs Airtel). Why have a road in the first place if it is meant to be dug up every 6 months and can be used functionally only for 2 months in a year???
There is the dark side of an intent of goodwill - which is intentional !!.

'Politics' - on hearing the very word, the first reaction is to crib. Not Surprising. Ever since independence people's dictionary have grown to associate the word to a sufficient others to provide a more wholesome meaning! Some of them being - scandals, elections, rally, riots, power etc...Notice the 'positive ring' to it???. Its not that we are blind when politicians claim the development of a dam, providing 24X7 electricity, water supply, resurfaced roads under their reign; all for another five year stint.

The same is very much applicable to even the the developed countries we look up to like Great Britian or the USA. At this point of time i must admit that i am totally fed up of the Hillary v/s Obama campaign trails which is the only topic of discussion; amidst an economic recession. On the other hand there is also the reigning Bush Govt. which is being criticized by channels and public all over the world for the amount of $'s spent on war. A particular sequence in the recently released movie 'Jodha-Akbar' where Akbar's counsellors were criticizing him of the gold wasted towards waging wars, reminded me of the present day world. People still havn't learnt their lessons on 'Power'!!