For the Sake of Country

Interest rate on fixed deposit-

Has reduced.

Let it be

We'll tolerate-

For the sake of country.

Essentials are dearer

Each day,

Gas, fuel keep eluding our

Old, little pockets

Each day,

Domestic helps cost higher;

Those supposed to help-

Fly even higher!

We'll tolerate-

For the sake of country.

Let the builders, corporates, leaders,

Thrive in their mansions,

In the air-conditioners

Of their plush BMWs;

Let them flee off

The country with pending NPAs.

We'll bear the brunt-

We'll eat less,

We'll buy stale fruits.

Medicines? Our haggard bodies-

Don't need it.

Who cares we live a year or two more?

Our old bones will make-

The stepping stones

Of new, shining country.

We, the faceless will die-

For the sake of the country.

"Why, 21,000 only? Last time you paid me 21,300." Abhinav Tripathy looked at the cash counter of the bank.

"Don't you know, uncle? Interest rates have reduced. The government has reduced the interest rates on lone, and reduced cess on many items. So they have to adjust." The cash clerk was polite.

Abhinav came out with a sigh. It is all he has, his quarterly interest on FD. It meant he had to run a family of two with 7000 a month henceforth. His only son doesn't keep in touch with his parents ever since he got married.

He moved towards the market. The bank clerk had mentioned something about reduction in cess on some items.

However, Abhinav failed to see such an impact on the vegetable market. Be it potato, onion, cauliflower, or even humble papaya- everything was dearer by six to ten rupees. He purchased lesser amounts. He and his wife, both are beyond seventy, so could do with lesser food. 

But Savitri is diabetic. She needs her medicine and nutrition. Abhinav moved towards the fruit vendor. 

"How much are those apples?" He asked.

"Don't look at them, uncle. Beyond your reach. Rs. 200 a kilo. Better go for guavas. 40 per kg. Not fresh, but not stale either. And ripe enough. Good for your teeth."

Finally to the medicine shop. The young boy handed over two packets. "One for you and the other for daadi-ji."

Abhinav returned back his own packet. "I'm left with some medicines still."

He decided to walk back home. There was no point wasting ten rupees on auto rickshaw. 

A plush blue car screeched to a halt in his front. He looked with a start. He was saved by a whisker!

A well-dressed hefty man emerged out of the car. He knew this man- a local builder.

"O unkaal! Keep your eyes open. Had it been any other car than BMW you'd have been past tense by now." The man caressed his car fondly. "There was a reduction of two lakhs on this car. So caught hold of the benefit."

Now Abhinav understood the meaning of cess reduction. His head reeled a bit, and he had to board a hired auto.

At his stop he produced a ten rupee note to the auto driver.

"Have a heart, unkaal!" The driver quipped. "It'll be two rupees more. Look at the hiked petrol rate."

Abhinav gave another two rupee coins to him. His brain had cooled down by now.

The door was opened by the maid. She had a suspicious smile on her face. "Unkaal-ji, I can't work with 600 from next month onwards. It will be 800 a month. Everything is increasing."

Abhinav was as cool as cucumber. "I understand. It'll be 800."

He has decided. No medicine, lesser and poorer food, more walking- is going to be the order for the coming days. So what if he lives a little less?

He'll be a martyr to the altar of making a great nation.

Everything- for the sake of the country!