In cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows

September 17, 2009
By Lakshmi Rajan

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Someone tweeted Shashi Tharoor:

"Tell us minister, next time you travel to Kerala, will it be cattle class?"

And our MoS tweeted back

"Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows."

O boy! That would have rattled the netas of his own party and God bless our dear MoS with lady luck to tackle his party men. If Mr.Tharoor had thought American style witty talks will be taken with a pinch of salt or sugar in India too, he would have learnt a bitter lesson by now. Sense of humor is a complex formula in Indian politics – real humor could be bitter and bitter could be taken as humor.

Austerity is the latest fad in Indian politics. It all began with Pranab mukherjee’s strong “advice” to SM Krishna and Tharoor to vacate their 5 star suites in Delhi. Then came the travel advisory to choose economy class over business class in flights. Our next to God VIP’s definitely would have fumed for having to forego their “elite status” and to be seen among the “common man”. News hungry media was happy to highlight Soniaji’s travel in economy class and Rahul Gandhi’s travel in chair car Shatabdi express.

Some MP’s quipped that they cannot fit into economy class thanks to their huge body frame. Somebody please tell them aam admi’s (“mango people” in love aaj kal lingo) travel in the same economy class without much fuss. They even travel in worst conditions in buses for longer hours so solpa adjust maadi! While another minister protested against economy class saying business class provides comfort, privacy and allows them to clear files even while flying. *sighs* I never knew Indian politicians are so hard working… I wish! Anyways other MP’s and bureaucrats are left with no other option but to follow the new fad displayed by their leaders.

It’s been months the world is reeling in economic depression, it has become almost a routine now that farmers commit suicide and now suddenly our Kings sorry Ministers have a new found love with austerity. Isn’t it the same party that vouches on the principles of Gandhian values? So why was the principles conveniently forgotten all this years? Why not extend the Gandhian principles in all walk of their lives?

Next what?

How about Maruthi 800 for every ministers and bureaucrats instead of Skoda and Toyotas?

How about flats for all ministers instead of sprawling bungalows?

How about election rallies sans thousands of posters and cut-outs? (Couple of state elections is round the corner, they have a chance to show their austerity drive)

How about cancelling all the lavish perks bestowed to our elected representatives?

These are just samples of a long list of potential austerity steps our netas can follow. The question is will they?

Am I wishing too much? Huh.

Pragmatically thinking, I feel this is just a hint to prepare the common man for what could be in store in the next budget.

you see, even we have given up the business class , now time for you to share the burden of the fiscal deficits

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10 Responses to “ In cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows ”

  1. sharat on September 17, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    ha…ha…i was thinking on a post on this ’statement’ of Shashi Tharoor…i have put it on my face book account … the statements meaning lies deep….it shows the mental state , the frustration of the Minister…that what is his thoght process…sonia is cow, pranav Mukherjee is a cow….aam aadmi is like cattle…..he is a cow !

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  2. Mohitoz on September 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    And now the media will ‘milk’ this story Smile

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  3. Mr. Pramathesh Borkotoky on September 17, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Tharoor is experiencing Bullshit. Smile

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  4. Vipul Grover on September 17, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Am I wishing too much?

    Yup, u r indeed Wink

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  5. chetan on September 17, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    I don’t think your wishlist would ever be fulfilled
    yes this is the thinking of a common man, that netas enjoy on public money, it is true upto some extent, but we don’t know the microscopic reality

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  6. Bharathi on September 17, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    nice post. I agree with everything u said.

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  7. Pallavi Mittra on September 17, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    Perhaps you are wishing too much.
    (But who cares! Wishing is a joyful thing after all.)
    I am not quite sure about how well or rather how far this austerity drive will go.
    All I wish for is that this issue is not blown out of proportion(like most political issues are) and that politicians get more realistic when it comes to catering to the needs of the “mango man”.

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  8. RSV on September 18, 2009 at 1:28 am

    that’s too much of wishing,,,

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  9. Ashwin Baindur on September 29, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    Right on!

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  10. Khap-shup to Twittergate! | Ginger Chai on April 19, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    [...] it was his tweet In cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows that alienated him within his own party men. He was a twitter follower’s delight cos he had [...]

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