A couple of days ago I sat down to think about the possible topics I could resume my blog with. The topics that ignite even a tiny spec of interest or excitement in me ; but this one ......... completely escaped me.
I, therefore humbly apologise to our Finance Minister, the Government, the Economists, the Pseudo Intellectuals, the Planning Elites for my total disregard and the monumental lack of knowledge on the topic . Don't scratch your head( as it is dandruff is back in season) - let me clarify - I forgot that it is the budget day today....I really mean it...I simply forgot.
It is not totally my fault you see, I have been a little busy lately , with marriages - mine included (of course you may congratulate me), celebrations , birthdays etc. that it just didn't register. But, the whole blame can't be put on my door. The budget was delayed - wasn't it? As far back as I can remember budget is always out in the last week of Feb. It was always covered in the annual exams in March. Why couldn't they shelve it then?? Coming back to today - I switched on the television to the Doordarshan Channel to listen to the greatest Annual Speech in the Parliament. To my dismay it happened again this year. I couldn't understand a single word. I thought a change in my marital status would make it interesting but it didn't (Poor Budget!).
Hence, I honestly declare Mr. Mukherjee - that I didn't listen to the document that you and your team spent months preparing. Your calculations and projections do not interest me. I am sorry but your self appraisal does not touch a chord within me. I can't keep a track of all announcements you make in your speech every year. I am a common middle class Indian working in a company, wherein my salary is directly linked to my PAN card and all my bank accounts and earnings are in white - a section always neglected in your speech. What interests me is " How much of my taxes this year would pave way for your populist schemes? For how long would we pay for the loopholes you keep for business class (of course it pays for your electoral campaigns) and rebates that you give to the poor (who attend you rallies). We , the middle class , can't - you see we are busy working and earning honest money and honestly paying taxes. As the saints say - This is Kalyug - honesty suffers.
But then - Is it the same story again this time too...I wonder? I would read about it all in newspaper tomorrow. I would like to smile today and believe me the middle class rarely smiles post budget.
P.S - I saw Sachin's century and it made me smile - Thank you Sachin for doing it today of all days.
