Yesterday, there was a news item about people jostling with each other for obtaining forms for cheap housing in Gujarat . ‘Ghar nu Ghar’ scheme (by current opposition party in state ) of providing cheap housing to BPL families across the state has generated overwhelming response in the state.
Giving 'freebies' to middle / poor class has become a norm for winning elections .Political parties are not the one to be blamed, public who have a never ending thirst for ' Free' items are the ones to be blamed.
In Tamil Nadu, it was free TV distribution to the public in the last regime. The latest ' gifts' in TN as a part of electoral promise include mixie, grinder and a table fan.
These are innovative ways to spend 'tax payer's ' money.
Fortunately or unfortunately , I got to witness one such free distribution in TN recently. There was a huge crowd at the distribution centre . The distribution was supposed to open at around 10 am. But I heard that the queue started around 4 am in the morning ( wow! look at the enthusiasm to get freebies).
Most of them in the queue , as I could judge could very well afford all that were distributed free and would probably have all these items in their home already( purchased by their hard earned money ,of course).
Every one was very clear that ' their right' to freebies should be honoured and there were strong verbal bouts when some one's name was not figured out in the distribution list. Many had taken an off from their office keeping in mind the 'important' day. Families showed unity by taking turns to stand in the queue. Most of those in the queue were tuned to the latest music on their iPhone / Clon phones.
The autos were doing a good business that day by transporting the freebies home for a hefty charge.( Make hay while the sun shines).
This give me everything for ' Free! Free! Free!' hunger is definitely going to take our country a long way in her development path!
PS:- When everyone was collecting the freebies , none was worried about the lack of electricity (TN) for almost 10 hours a day without which the freebies would be of no use. Long live democracy.
Also, Please don't ask me , " What were you doing there at the distribution center ??" :-)
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