The great Indian kit trick

 

She stood in a long line, pouring with sweat.

Praying that there would be enough for everyone.

Finally, overjoyed and thankful, she collected her kit,

Plastered with grinning photos of 20 party leaders’ sons.  

 

She quickly hurried home to feed her children. 

Ashamed to beg, her husband had hung himself a month ago.

She cooked a pot of rice, mixed with some dal,

And carried it past her hungry children to the hut next door.

 

She poured out a large portion for four starving faces. 

Then came home, fed her children and licked the pot dry.

“Why did you have to feed them first, Mother?," they asked. 

She replied, "If they die of hunger before us, then what am I?”

 

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This kit, that contains grains, oil, soap etc. being distributed by political parties and individuals, does certainly provide some relief to many families. But is that sufficient? Can families survive for months on this kit?

With each drought, flood, or pandemic, the government announces a host of new schemes. But will these one-time handouts, however, be enough to sustain families who have lost their family members, livelihoods and homes?
Does it actually reach those who need it the most? Is there a secure delivery mechanism to the one in need, not the politicians’ ample pocket? Or is all this  just another photo opportunity?

Governments should look into providing sustainable incomes and pensions for all.  Not just a political handout. Not just a quick fix kit trick. 

A hard night gonna fall

 This is song about the pain and suffering in India caused by  Covid and the negligence  by greedy leaders. Remembering the many who died and their loved ones, and the many health workers who continue fighting this sickness despite any Govt support. 

Based on the song by Bob Dylan - A hard rain gonna fall

Oh, where have you been, my dear little son? Oh, where have been, my darling young one?

I've been where a 100 pyres burn the night into day.

I've been where the powered make money from the dead.

Been there as a vendor's cart is kicked over in anger .

Was at the Ganges whose banks grow beds of saffron flowers. 

Been with young men carrying somebody's dead mother. 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my dear little son? Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?

I saw a life wheeled in and a body bag rolled out.

Saw the politician driven in his  oxygen loaded car.

Saw a doctor quickly wipe a tear in a reflection.

I saw a fist full of money couldn't buy a single breathe . 

I saw a long line waiting  for the magic vaccine.

Saw a longer line go hungry that evening. 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall

Oh, what did you hear, my dear little son? Oh, what did you hear, my darling young one?

I heard the beep of life that was silent in the morning.

Heard a young man's cough breaking heaven's door.

I heard an old man cry like a child for his mother.

Heard the rush of duty as nurses ran in their oversized gear.

I heard the last call of a child "bye mama I'm going, don't fear". 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall

Oh, what will you do, my dear little son?

Oh, what will you do, my darling young one?

I'll scream at the world as it's gone all wrong.

Watch them hang murderers with ropes of their poisoned money.

I'll touch a lost hand and hope it would smile back at me.

I'll wonder if plastic and masks will just cover the ocean.

I'll  fight for my right to life on this earth again.

And I'll pray that this doesn't ever happen again.

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall.