We have an annual ritual of presenting the annual budget of the Government of India on 28th February every year. Apart from presenting the accounts of the GOI, the budget has gained a level of importance far beyond what it deserves.
It has become the arbiter of our destinies and a dispenser of largesse to that group which danced and grovelled the best. It carries the ever-alive threat of additional taxes. Crumbs are thrown to the common man, fancy jargon quoted as a measure of impressive success.
Today's budget has been no different. It perpetuates the practice of fudging accounts and window dressing them. One is led to believe that all is well.
When India eventually achieves its destiny as a economically advanced nation, the people of India need to be applauded and not an insipid and unimaginative Government.
New Delhi is a busy capital of late with different world leaders scheduling their visits.
Whether this speaks of India's importance on the world stage as our media would like us to believe or is it more likely, the lure of lucrative contracts to supply us "latest" and horrendously expensive stuff.
These leaders have found a way to flatter the Indian psyche, lower our guard and walk away with contracts exceeding one hundred thousands crore rupees.
Earlier, a visit to Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi at Rajghat was de riguer. Protocol has added two new items which seem mandated by the political leadership and media.
Every leader is expected to say that they strongly support India's entry to the UN Security Council as permanent member,
and
issue stern warning to Pakistan to punish those involved in 26/11.
Is our leadership really so gullible?
