Not too long hours ago, a spokesperson of a leading political party, for reasons best known to him blatantly blurted out; Mumbai mein toh Rs. 12/- khana mil jata hai and that sentence caused a tsunami of a reactions in the media; from locals who were genuinely hurt on the comment, to political parties of the opposition, that got an opportunity to score some brownie points. And then, not too many hours into the controversy, the political party (of which the spokesperson was from) started a political game called ‘keeping distance’ (with the spokesperson )and that in turn, lead to a turn around of sought's; the so called statement was retrieved.
As I write this piece, my phone just beeped, I received a broadcast, which joked about a popular burger brand, would soon launch a new burger for Rs. 12/- and no prizes for guessing it would be called the ‘McBabbar’ which brings me to the point I really want to talk about, that if a prankster thinking out of the box can come up with an innovative burger, even if its just for fun, why cant our netas?
Almost immediately post the controversy, the cat and mouse game began, like its the given for political parties to do in India, when they goof up, but that is not the need of the hour, especially when you have a tainted past, and there are many a questions with regards to the future? Here was an opportunity to make Heaven out hell… In Rs. 12/- …. How? Read on…
Among the many controversies surrounding the government is that off: The huge quantities food getting wasted and rotting away, which is a shame, given that in our country a fairly large number of people sleep hungry, to make it worse statements given out by its representatives saying one can get a full meal for Rs. 12/- What do you do then? Perhaps think up of solutions rather than running away from the problem. The answer lies in a simple product of a Maths equations; two negative make a positive.
What could have or should have been done is simple exercise of innovative thinking, resource mobility and immediate action thus leading to solution. To elaborate; instead of letting those grains rot away, the govt could easily set up food centers (Read:on the lines of the Junka bhakar model, Mumbai) across the country, wherein they could employ locals, distribute these food grains and veggies and actually dish out meals for the intended Rs. 12/- and then when asked where do you get food for Rs. 12/- the answer could be ‘We’, we provide a wholesome meal for Rs. 12/-. This action would perhaps then give some respite among the many controversies and perhaps restore confidence in the general public that bought them to power.
So to all politicians and govt officials, when you do make a blunder, remember it is not all asunder,
A lil bit innovative thinking, resource mobility and immediate action, can get you laurels a thunder.