HEARD ON THE STREET FROM WISE PEOPLE ON POLITY AND POLITICS

"Politics, as a practise, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds". 

"Good government is known from bad government by this infallible test: that under the former the labouring people are well fed and well clothed, and under the latter, they are badly fed and badly clothed".

"The political arena leaves one no alternative, one must either be a dunce or a rogue".

"A passion for politics stems usually from an insatiable need,

either for power, or for friendship and adulation, or a 

combination of both".

"Avoid this crowd like the plague. And if they quote you, make damn sure they heard you". 

"I have simplified my politics into an utter detestation of all 

existing governments; and, as it is the shortest and most 

agreeable and summary feeling imaginable, the first moment 

of an universal republic would convert me into an advocate 

for single and uncontradicted despotism. The fact is, riches 

are power, and poverty is slavery all over the earth, and one 

sort of establishment is no better, nor worse, for a people 

than another".

"The truth is that every intelligent man, as you well know, 

dreams of being a gangster and ruling over society through 

violence alone. Since this is not as easy as the novels would 

have us believe, people generally resort to politics and join 

the cruelest party".

HEARD ON THE STREET ON COALGATE

"If coal is not mined, if it remains buried in mother earth, where is the loss" and the Government has allotted coal blocks on the clear cut understanding that the beneficiaries  will never dig any coal because it causes loss to the exchequer.

"If coal is not mined, if it remains buried in mother earth, where is the loss" but the decision will help in industrial growth of the country and will make available cheap electricity to the common man to mitigate his woes emanating from shortages of power.

In future coal blocks  will be given  through auction  route  so that  the power  is  generated  at higher costs to adversely affect the industrial growth and the dreams of masses.

The allotment route was resorted  to because  many  state  governments were  not in  favour of auction route for giving coal blocks to  private parties  and as  national government we  neither have any policies nor convictions. We just carry out business in a manner that our rule/misrule survives and we are successful in bleeding the nation to the max to retain our powers.

Indian polity is always right. It was right when it made  allocations and they will  be doubly right when auctions route is resorted to for giving access to national resources to private parties.

And finally, we know that

Statesmen think of next generation and create opportunities, Leaders Seize opportunities that come their way, while Politicians think of next elections and fritter away these opportunities and dirty politicians simply mess up everything.

But since the Indian polity belongs to the last category, do not try to infringe upon their fundamental right to misgovern, give governance motivated by corruption and their endeavour to continue ruling India through fair or foul means.
 Out of the four basic postulates of Chanakya Neeti i.e.Saam Daam Dand Bhed, they have imbibed the last three to perfection to win power and remain in power.  

Heard On The Street:Hats off to our democracy:

Freedom of speech, thought and media is the very essence of Indian Constitution and Democracy.
We allow all such freedom for all that is said in praise of Indian Polity, after all we are the rulers. Historically and traditionally also, all kings used to have court jesters and poets to do this job.

An officer getting favours in cash and kind for doing a job is graft and corruption whereas for a politician it becomes a reward for his service to the citizenry.

A commoner wanting to get some reimbursement for doing or not doing an action is blackmail. A politician demanding a ministerial berth, portfolio of his choice ( considerations are known to one and all of this country ) or big fat economic package  for extending support to matters of national interest is POLITICS and is merrily played by one and all of the Indian polity.

Heard On The Street: On Politics and Polity

Politics is the best business in India. All that is required to be successful in politics is the capacity to fool people and kill one's honesty and  conscience and there lies the secret of success.

Do not compare politics and social service. Expecting from politicians a selfless service to the country and its citizens is perhaps asking for a little too much. After all politicians are also human beings and like all human beings  invariably fall prey to one or more of the baser instincts like lust for money, wine, woman and power.

'Give me your blood and I promise you freedom', said Netaji Subhash Chander Bose. Present day leaders of India seem to be saying, ' Give us your vote and we promise you eternal miseries' 

Being Incorruptible is a possibility for a single individual. But in a democracy running a government and making laws is a collective activity and needs a lot of compromises and many a time closing your eyes and ears.