It's the beginning of summer,

as I begin to walk before sunrise

there is still a decided chill in the air

the cool, crisp air embraces my warm body

like a lover in the throes of passion

Rejuvenation and exhilaration course through my veins

I watch and take stock of things

even at this early hour, there is fast-moving traffic

crossing the road is fraught with risk

danger lurks in the form of sleepless, irresponsible drivers

Hit-and-run cases are on the rise, so I must stick to the footpath.

As I walk, contemplate

I wonder about the real state of 'New India'

growing and developing at a rapid pace

poised to overtake many developed nations

on the brink of becoming an economic and military superpower

I feel good and reassured about India's bright future

You kind of feel proud that India has come of age

in a world order dictated by dominant countries

India is creating a niche of its own,

A voice that is heard

A political stance that is responsible,

and respected.

But, are we reaching the acme of societal development?

A question difficult to ask, but much harder to answer

As I contemplate while walking, lost in my thoughts

The stink of urine hits me hard and I'm jostled back to reality

looking around, I find people urinating with nonchalance

It's a busy public place, but even this has not been spared

by new-age heroes who like to flout every law with impunity

unmindful of the passers-by, and oblivious to the shame

they bring to themselves, and the nation

Ironically, two swacchalays are open for use a few feet away

standing as a mute witness to the 'heroic' deeds perpetrated

daily without fear or shame

The perpetrators are not beggars or homeless, or the downtrodden

they are sufficiently paid employees of the government

with an unwritten, unspoken right to flout the rules

As I walk on the footpath I am forced to weave through

illegal encroachments and open def*cation

I dare not walk on the road due to the unpredictable,

and dangerous traffic, in the event I did I would also be judged

as flouting the rules

The municipal sweepers are sweeping a few feet away

the 'urinators' are doing their thing freely and without remorse

a scene I find hard to reconcile

I wonder, are we even concerned about societal development

Is patriotism and nationalism all about mouthing

'Jai Hind' or saluting the Indian flag?

Do these words have nothing to do with keeping the

nation clean and 'swacch'?

Can society develop if the rich keep getting richer

and the poor keep getting poorer?

Should the public take the law into their hands,

because the law-keepers are missing in action?

As I walk, it is getting stinkier...

mbfarookh (C) Copyright 2024