By Shobha Diwakar

Our India, your India, my India in fact, everyone’s India, the land once flowing with milk and honey but which history records was looted, looted and looted over and over again, not only by the East India Company, but prior to them by many other predators. Yes, that is exactly what they all were. All these looters possessed their own country but the thirst to overpower and dominate, to become supreme drove them so blind that their unquenched ego egged them to insanity to gain power, subdue and rule; so our beautiful, ancient, gifted country was hungrily devoured by these ambitious, carping empire seekers.

Ancient India was blessed with abundance in knowledge: in spirituality, yoga, religion, medicine, arts, literature and other gifts of learning, much, much before other countries. It is unfortunate that our serene gurus were unaware of their great wealth of knowledge and the contribution they made to the world as then the printing press did not exist. True, the British constructed, roads, bridges, the railway, factories, schools, post offices, ‘educated’ the people? Above all, divided and ruled the people, expanding their empire and empowering their kingdom.

Now here lies the catch to these entire episodes in history. India won independence and so began a grand perilous road to freedom. India, weakened and erecting after immense turmoil on all spheres whether economic, political or religious… the game begins rapidly… for power, prestige and ambitious resolutions. Most of the grand freedom fighters in the past were ruthlessly killed, hanged or murdered.  Others who fought for their nation had clung to death without blinking an eyelid just like our brave freedom fighters. These were our real, real heroes whose families demanded nothing for the sacrifices made by their loved ones.

The picture soon changed, controversies began as to who should head the Nation. After much debating conflicts settled down, the reign began and India, this agitated, giant country resolutely stood up on stuttering feet after the turbulent fight for freedom between India and Pakistan and hideous mass murders and rapes of innocent men, women, and children (which to date still continues). It is amongst this monstrous chaos that India chivalrously breathed again although the stinging bolts still crushed the spirit. Tormented years of slavery and disruption steadily gained the strength to stand erect on its own strong merits and stride forward to achieve its esteemed goals of emancipation on all fronts. Over the years, the political achievements of those governing the nation crossed all boundaries, as politics became a chessboard of competitors striving to build their own empires while the drooling voters sat idle without batting an eyelid.

Time sped on and dragged the lazy unheeding voters into a slumber which was never to be broken, either then, now, or perhaps never. The dynasty soared high on ‘wings of fire,’ and ambition that claimed the hereditary crown of glory, diamond studded with other precious and rare gemstones that seemed to lose its glitter. The raging, wolfish bantering echoed rudely in all areas of communication whether right or wrong, proving the lust of fame and reign, and untold pots of reserves for future progeny.

It now seems as though history is repeating itself. In days gone by, the British had planted their feet firmly in this soil by igniting one state against the other with bounties they offered; divide and rule was their nefarious  motto, which finally won them the ‘crown.’ They hired Indians; they bought them to fulfill their despicable intentions and the greedy lot, to win favors sold their ‘national conscience’ and their integrity. Remember how Judas sold Jesus for thirty pieces of Silver; how her own kinsman betrayed the Rani of Jhansi… besides a host of others; the present scenario reveals similar undercurrents treacherously raising their fangs to dig into the once sturdy fabric of this vast country.

It is a matter of gross disgrace, loss of national integrity and moral character that our current political parties are playing a vicious game to win elections and rule as supreme commanders of this nation.  Shrewd politicians win elections for favors bestowed upon the gluttonous public at the cost of the taxpayers’ hard- earned money, un- hesitantly squandered for personal gains… to amass money for generations to come. Now the free lotteries doled out on a golden platter to the ever avaricious ‘nikkami’ public will demand such benefits from any party that runs for the next elections and the vote will be ruefully snatched from that party which does not offer freebies. The present Delhi elections are won, not on national issues or national development, or national progress, or national security and against terrorism but solely on issues of  tax free water,  tax free electricity, free transportation and what not is a glaring example of the stumpy mindset of politicians and the public. Where this country is heading to… no one has dared to ask. The day seems not far off when these very squat politicians will not shy away from defaming their national culture, their integrity and national security to appease their political ambitions to rule and subjugate. The looters are no longer the miscreants of the past…  the moguls … the British or those that cheated  before them… but our very own people who have dug the very entrails of this country and laugh behind the imprudent, misled public that is constantly taken for a ride at the price of freedom. It is a matter of crass shame that we, the people of India have shunned the Call of the Nation for a few pieces of ‘silver.’

Politics indeed is a game of ‘throne’ … those who win the ticket to fight the election and become winners for the next five years are ‘aboveboard’… or so it is claimed. They not only become outspoken and arrogant but also swell up on all sides… as plump as their swollen heads. A glamorous bewitching smile will greet you in the papers the next morning as headlines spill and splash their names …  even as the glorious winners twist and swirl their moustaches proudly claiming they won the crown. Their future is secure as also their progenies’ for centuries to come for they make sure that during the next election their ‘poor’ near and dear ones also procure a ticket so that these ‘poor’ ‘nation saviors’ can serve ‘their own nation’ under the nation’s wealth.

The national “Chair’ is indeed a tempting trap to fulfill their ‘empty’ stomachs which soon has the capacity to stretch and protrude like a nine month pregnant woman ready to deliver the fruitful labor. The manifestos released spare not an iota of gifts ready to be bestowed upon the ravenous voters who are fooled and trapped in the temptation of  FREE GIFTS from the ‘polished’  ‘gainers’ who know how the public can be hoodwinked and won for their own nefarious gains. So mobiles, tablets, computers, two wheelers , cycles, sanitary napkins, delivery charges, hospital charges, free homes, free electricity bills, free water supply, free transportation, are all showered as rewards. If the imprudent voters are ready to fall into the depth of avaricious gains just as they always are then why not buy their votes by giving them incentives? When ‘free’ money and ‘rewards’ are irrationally snatched from the honest tax- payers’ hard- earned money, why should people work or labor, pay taxes  and waste their energy in doing any job?

The public should beware of these ‘national’ looters and betrayers who become richer by the score in just five years of their national leadership and roll in unlimited crores, while those who slog for more than 30 and 40 years of service die paying hospital bills. Our looters are none other than are very own people who believe that since they are now elected they can not only BRAG whatever comes into their dull heads but that they can squander national wealth in petty declarations that will speed them into becoming billionaires and help them to REIGN SUPREME for the next five years. Our very ‘poor leaders’ do not stop pleading and touching the voters’ feet to vote for them until the moment they are announced winners. After that they turn their tails and become ‘sour’ and nasty because they gain power, possess muscles, muscle men, and bouncers to knock YOU down the day you cross their path.

It is high time the public woke up from their sluggish turtle sleep and joined hands with those who stride and strive forward to lead the nation to achieve positive goals.

VANDEMATARAM, JAI BHARAT, LONG LIVE HINDUSTAN… THE TORCH BEARER

About the Author:  Dr. Shobha Diwakar lives in Jabalpur, India and retired as the head of English department at C.P. Mahila Mahavidhyalaya, Jabalpur. She has published many research papers, stories, poems and essays in national, international and online journals. She contributes regularly to writerslifeline and Indian Periodical.