What's the Big Deal?

From the poor the crooks began to steal, 
Then the victims decided to squeal, 
"It's a paltry sum
A few lakhs ain't fun,"
Asked a leader, "What's the big deal?"

Motamaal Baby

As a member of the elite flock,
You augment your assets and stock,
Silver spoons at birth
Won't add to net worth
So you're rewarded free coal blocks. 

The word "Motamaal" popularized by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, signifies 'fat sums' or 'massive profits.' 

"Not Waving but Drowning"

 

The scammers who loot are clowning,

The dolts who cheat, we're crowning, 

When the bandits cheered, 

The serfs all jeered 

Because we're not waving, we're drowning. 

Apologies to Stevie Smith who wrote the poem "Not Waving but Drowning." Happy Independence Day!

Darkness at Noon

When millions endured power cuts

A UPA spokesman did strut

"A crisis it is not,"

Said he, with a swat, 

Folks, better keep your mouths shut.

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

 

The new IIP* numbers were out, 

Wild data was bruited about, 

Economists are tense 

Figures don't make sense 

Who's compiled them? Statistical louts?

IIP: Index of Industrial Production

U-turn

Cotton exports would face a ban,

Announced the government with elan,

Then the ban was revoked,

In one swift stroke,

Are U-turns a new game plan?

Happy New Jeer

2011 was not a year of cheer

With inflation life was austere,

Prices continue to be high,

And consumers do cry, 

Nothing's changed; Happy New Year.

None wept when Bhopal died

In Bhopal, twenty thousand gassed and died, 

Justice delayed, the leaders inflate with pride,

Horrors even Bruegel could not have painted, 

Efforts are afoot to redeem the criminally tainted, 

With golden guineas, lawyers' egos are puffed,

While lives in gas chambers were summarily snuffed.

Political parties have a policy objective, 

Victims must endure, for justice is selective, 

The poor man's life is to be expended, 

The rich are nurtured, never apprehended; 

Politicos, judges revel in the macabre game, 

Passing the buck, shuffle the blame. 

Impervious to the images of ghastly death, 

Indifferent to the victim's last rasping breath,

Attorneys, politicians on Carbide's graveyard dance,

Absolve themselves of guilt's sharp lance,

Weak and impotent, more's the pity, 

The Prime Minister fiddles, forms a committee. 

Mega corporations, may your colonization never cease, 

Pillage and pollute what you can with ease, 

"Life's cheap," our leaders boast with glee,

"But in India we give it away for free,

We'll shield you from meddlers while you bide, 

Remember, none wept, when Bhopal died."