Call it a paradox or the proverbial theatre of the absurd, while the top brass in the government at the Centre is presenting a shining image of the nation with unalloyed glee on various platforms, both within the country and abroad, mercifully supported by data and information loaded with well-known economic parameters, the columns of newspapers are portraying a different story of the land’s masses whining, bugged by steadily rising unemployment, suicides by the debt-ridden farmers, loss of jobs in the industry world, scarcity-glut impacting agriculture adversely, unemployability of graduates in engineering subjects, ruling class perceived as unworthy to hold office, undisciplined citizens uncaring for the land’s laws and what have you.

A handful of billionaires in the country command more than half of its wealth in monetary terms, according to a media report published the other day. Nearly a billion Indians may rest grudging the few without a care about the connect between perseverance and earning wherewithal, despite unforeseen hurdles halting progress.

Dreaming, as prescribed by people’s President of India late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and leading a life of a lotus-eater are different kettles of fish (feeling very comfortable, lazy life and not worried about anything, including self). Going by the nationally beaming slogan Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas (progress of all with all together) from the top in the government, one is prompted to remark that the goal of India’s every citizen is the dream of the Prime Minister pleading for every Indian to join hands in realising the lofty dream.

The dream in real terms, as spelt out by the nation’s leader, aims at doubling income of farmers, zero unemployment, disease-free clean country, top rank as the global economic power resulting in transforming the country free of wherewithal worries to the last citizen.