It is the economy, stupid!

So, there I was having a tête-à-tête with a friend who use to hail from the land of Karmasutra where the people could take you for a spin in more ways than you can shake your head. As I thought that the results of the recently concluded Indian elections would excite her, I started asking about the results at her home state. In Tamil Nadu, in spite of the bad publicity that Amma had many elections ago with the extravagant wedding of her adopted son, she literally swept the state this time around. Her nemesis failed to win a single seat. Over at the national level, the feared Hindu nationalist party won by a landslide. To be fair, Modi was cleared of wrongdoings by the court and the buoyant economic progress in his home state is the catalytic factor for his win. Many tragedies involving high level corruption, high profile national shames and stagnant economy of late had people going for a change.
So, my friend, when asked on Amma's victory, she nonchalantly asserted that the feel good factor won her over. Many of the poor folks were given monetary support. Rice was distributed freely to the needy. Senior citizens were given alms. Saving interests were higher for the elderly. With no major natural catastrophe to worry, she rode high to victory. At the end of the day, it is the economy, stupid!
Man, over the ages have experimented with a system that is apparently fair to everyone. They tried to unshackle themselves from the dependence of wealth and power. They tried to create an utopia where all man are equal, where human qualities are appreciated and law of nature is respected.
Unfortunately, time and time again, man have failed. And miserably, sometimes. Feudalism, communism, fascism, religious fundamentalism all met with the same disappointing fate.
Maybe, it is ingrained upon us to be rebellious. That is how we, as a human race have come thus far, from the plains of Sub Sahara Africa. Deep inside us is the desire for instant gratification.

...But I'm Malaysian! Chakde India, anyway!

"Hey, we beat Pakistan in the semis at cricket, Yaar!" exclaims my brother-in law. "This calls for a party!" "What, when did Malaysia play cricket at international levels?" I queried dumbly. Sneering, he replied that India had beaten Pakistan in an explosive World Cup Semi Finals in Chennai which was followed by an explosive display of fireworks and free distribution of sweets in the streets by jubilant Chennaites and Indians generally. "Hey, what the heck, any reason is as good a reason for a party!"
You really cannot blame my brother in law for thinking the way he is thinking right now. His father, Mr Chhunnu Lal Chaudhry left his mother land at the age of 18 to Malaya in search of employment and basically to survive. He lost his father at the age of 11 and he was automatically the 'man' of the family by virtue of being the eldest in the family. And he left school and started working to support his family. In the early 1950s, Malaya was the Newfoundland of the East, the place to be with sound British administration complemented by an obedient, civil and dedicated civil service (then). He joined the 'Gold Rush' with his friends to Malaya. After working day and night labouriously in various remote localities in Malaya, he was known as the 'nouveau rich' of Sultanganj, Patna, Bihar. He managed to build the biggest house in his neighbourhood. With the newly found prosperity, his family grew larger and he finally decided to bring forth his young family to the land of milk and honey, lock, stock and barrel.
Then the winds of change swept... This youngest newly independent member of the Commonwealth had turbulent start - first the Communists threat, then the racial riots 1964 in Singapore and National Language issue and so forth made him rethink his earlier decision to relocate the family to Malaya. And off he brought his family back to Patna, leading a zamindar's life with his hard earned Malaysian money. Children started schooling in missionary schools only frequented by the tycoons. After a few years, the itch and the calling to go back to Swarna Bhoomi vibrated louder and louder. As the elder three children were quite established in the education, he had to make the tough decision of leaving the elder ones there to continue their schooling there while the preteens followed him to Malaysia in the early 70s.
So, my brother-in-law did his primary, secondary and medical studies in Bharat Desh (India). He even picked out his better half from there. After studies, as duties called, he had to return to work in Malaysia (he is born -Ipoh Mali and is a citizen). With all the fond childhood memories and the strings attached to of bosom childhood buddies whom he is in contact with and still visit him as they are scattered all over of world, one cannot blame him if he still has much attachments to India!!!