February 8, 2011

Welcome y’all to our Fatherland!

We proudly call it the Free-Land.

Where most things are handed down free,

And only luxuries may cost a small fee.

More fantasized Utopian dreams,

Marx trio shouted proletariat screams;

Mao, many others around the world

Marvelous ideas for liberation hurled.

Come to our Free-Land, Come here, Thee!

Witness the revolution no one could see!

Civic bodies hand out free uniforms,

Free this, free that in many more forms.

A former chief, “Revolutionary Leader”

Even gave us all free tooth powder.

They give free geometry boxes and stationery,

Free sanitary napkins to girls and dictionary.

They give free bus passes and brand new bike,

So pupils have choices: sell ‘em and hike.

Free rice, free spice; women sing ‘what a loot!’

Fathers booze all day and don’t even give a hoot.

Kamaraj gave free mid-day meal,

So he could pangs of hunger heal.

And lure the poor kids to read and write

So their lives can be set quite right.

Now they give free eggs and free fruits,

Free dhoti, saree and free packet foods,

Free TV, stove and gas, and even SIMs

And loot ‘em in the name of free schemes.

Welcome y’all to our Fatherland!

We proudly call it the Free-Land.

Where life is free, full of glee

A few things are charged a fee.

For birth certificate, cough up 2K;

For a conductor job, hand ‘em 200K;

Bridegroom for a girl cost 20,000K;

Everything else is free, OKAY?

Our land is given away to the MNCs,

Our sea vandalized by army Sinhalese.

Tamil men drown themselves in alcohol

And our womenfolk lost in the overhaul.

Our youth, our children and our future

Rely on political freebies for nurture.

They’d rather hand a fish and keep a hold

Lest our people stand up and be bold.

Welcome y’all to our Fatherland!

We proudly call it the Free-Land.

[1] “Free geometry boxes, stationery for students,” The Hindu, January 8, 2011

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article1064548.ece