Water, you see is God’s will
Our constituency is thirsty
You can find your own of course
Not an issue, I said.
Bijli, you see is scarce
We must use it first for lighting
For airconditioned luxury
You can make your own
Not an issue, I said.
Roads, you see cannot come
If industry does not provide
To remove the potholes to growth
Not an issue, I said.
Food grains, you see are Bumper
Needed for Nation’s security
To feed your starving neighbor
Is your moral duty
Not an issue, I said.
Health, you see is natural
Population must control itself
Live a lifestyle you can afford
Not an issue, I said.
Education, you see in our tradition
Is ancient and hereditary
But if you prefer modern decadence, you must go abroad
Not an issue, I said.
To see the nation grow, you see
You must give your arm and leg
And of course let us sit on your head.
Not an issue, I said.
At the Global Forum
The Nations asked
What is it that your people want?
For us - you see, was the reply
People are not really an issue!
Deepak Manchanda, New Delhi
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem