A Republic Day Dedication

The rich count their millions

Celebrate their wealth with wine and dine.

The poor count the stars in the moonlit night

And blame their fate, whine, and pine.

For two square meals, sounds a simple deal.

Not in this nation, which lives on ration.

The ‘manu’script has cast in iron the fate of the poor

Housemaid, drivers, cleaners: jobs reserved, it is clear.

Budgets made with a sleight of the God's hand as such

So much so, the nation needs the poor, to remain Swachch.