Free?

Tamil Nadu elections… I’m appalled at the election promises. 35 kilos of rice for Rs. 2, free mixer, grinder, TV, laptop, free bus pass, house for Rs. 75,000,Rs. 35,000 to support marriage, and more… there is nothing on any productive improvements for the state.

Free bus passes? TNSTC and SETC are already falling apart. Most of the people I know take KSTRC or private buses on Bangalore-Chennai route. We had a horrible experience travelling in SETC during our South Tamil Nadu trip. Air Conditioner wasn’t working and you can’t open the windows. Heat and humidity made it difficult to breathe in the first place. Rupees 1000 crore loses were reported. Whereas, the private bus corporation owned by the Transportation minister Nehru churns profit year after year. In spite of all these, they are offering free bus passes? You need not have masters in economics to find it stupid.

Please forgive my insensitivity here for I’ve never been married. Why would government have to support marriage? India is going beat China’s population in another 20 years. Are we in such a state that government is asking people to procreate and fill the land? If one can’t find money for the wedding, why would you get married in the first place? Who will support the family? May be they will live on the 35 kilos of rice and the rest what government provides.

With the price-rise like what we are facing, is it even possible to construct a house of decent size for say a family with two children with just Rs. 75,000? Our house is under construction. I have a decent idea on the price of various items. I don’t think it is possible. Are they talking about tents for families?

If one gets rice, mixer, grinder, TV, laptop for free, they might as well reduce their working potential to half. Are they trying to produce a generation of lazy fools? It is not politician’s money to splurge, it is taxpayers’ money. Do you want the items at your home stamped as “Given by Government of Tamil Nadu” with a huge photograph of an old crook smiling or do you want your own choice from your decent living? Announcing “free” ensures more corruption - they’ll pocket a sizeable chunk to their own family and this viral family claims dominion over entire Tamil Nadu. Even our great poetess Ovaiyar says it is ok to beg to learn and not for anything else. Free is worse than begging. Proud men never live on charity. Pride doesn’t come for free.