It is appalling to note the way the hard earned money of tax payers is being plundered, by the politicians. During election
season, they come and ask for our favour, to vote them to the seat of power. They promise to pledge their all, even their last drop of blood in the service of the masses and the nation. But once they attain the seat of power, all the sugar coated words, and tall promises vanish in the thin air. They sit on
public funds as if it is their ancestral property, like Shylock, they tightly hold the strings of their purse, lest any penny may roll out towards its desired destination, that being public welfare. Coffers are made empty but not for any development projects, or upliftment of poorer sections of society. Neither for providing better infrastructure, nor for supply of clean drinking water or better roads. No, these things are no longer on their agenda now, they are shelved to the back burner, as had been done by their predecessors. But, the funds are used for paying the bills of five star hotels, foreign tours, STD and ISD calls incurred by them and their kin, and to fatten their bank accounts. Moreover, a larger share of these funds goes down the drain in order to cover up the wrong deeds of their wayward off springs and their siblings.
Time and again, the leaders of all the political parties, in their public speeches keep emphasizing the need for an austere life style. But, the designer suits and sarees worn by them, and the luxury cars driven by them spin a different tale.
Recently in December /January 2005-2006, the leader of a big political party, in her speeches was advising her party-men to adopt an austere life style and cater to the needs of poor sections of society, but on the contrary they were enjoying the luxuries of plush hotels in the name of party meetings. Whereas on those extremely cold wintry nights many homeless poor
people died due to lack of food, adequate woolens and proper shelter.
In order to enlighten legislators about true austerity, and how to deal with public funds, they should fall back to Chanakya one of the greatest public figure, politician, an economist, and a renowned thinker that India has ever produced. He was the greatest and the most successful Prime Ministers of India during the Mauryan Empire.
Here, I would like to narrate a small anecdote. One evening, Chanakya was at home, he was working at his desk by candle light. A visitor came to meet him, Chanakya requested him, to wait for a while. He put out the candle, lit a new one in its place and then welcomed his guest. The visitor was surprised, and asked him the reason for this strange behavior. Chanakya told him that at the time the guest came in, Chanakya was doing some official work and the candle he was using had been provided to him by State funds. To attend a visitor was his personal work, and for this purpose he ought to use his own candle, otherwise it would leave a bad precedent. Moreover, if the fence will start eating the grass no one can save that field. It speaks volumes as to how, simple, honest and down to earth was Chanakya, the king-maker.
It is high time our leaders should learn that public funds is the hard-earned money of the people, and it should be utilized judiciously, for their welfare and growth.