The President Takes Over

by Bhaskar Sarkar

Prologue

  Col Bhuvan Sen was a bit of a fool (idealist). When he was passing out of the Indian Military Academy, he had read the famous words of Lord Chetwode:- "The honor and welfare of your country comes first always and every time; the honor and welfare of your men comes next always and every time; your own honor and welfare comes last always and every time."

  He took these words unnecessarily seriously, and tried to act accordingly. His seniors down the line forgot to tell him that in the modern age, the word “country” had been replaced by the word “boss”. He served honorably but did not rise very high in the hierarchy of the Army. In due course he retired.

  Col Sen was deeply pained by the state of anarchy that prevailed in his beloved country. There was no effective government. Scams after scams were coming to light. It would appear that every person with authority was out to make money at the cost of the Government exchequer or the investing public. Essential services were often disrupted. Government organizations went on strike at the drop of a hat throwing the life of a common man out of gear. Political parties called "bundhs" (sit in protests) and paralyzed the life of the common man. Murder and extortion were common place as were crimes against women. The police wanted money to register FIRs (First Information Reports). They accepted money to harass business competitors or neighbors. They extorted money from truck and bus operators, auto rikshaws (a mechanized three wheeler), street vendors, and encroacher's of public spaces. They falsely implicated people in cases and extorted money. If the offender had political connections, it was likely that the police would not register the case or investigate it properly. The electricity boards allowed unofficial connections for a bribe or in case of people with influence and did not collect dues from politicians. There were large leakages in collection of customs duty, exercise duty, income tax and other sources of Government revenues. Parties and state governments were falling over each other in trying to grant populist concessions like writing off loans, promising rice at Rs 3 per Kilogram, distributing televisions to the poor and lap tops to students in the hope of getting votes and expect the Central Government to pick up the bill. In the desperate search for foreign investment, national interest and the interest of Indian companies and farmers were available on sale for a few million dollars. Money laundering and tax cheating is condoned in the name of being investor friendly. Banned pesticides and genetically modified seeds which are banned in Europe were allowed to be sold in India. Most government departments did not work. Roads were not repaired or were dug up the day the repairs were completed. Water supply schemes were completed but did not work effectively. Power cuts crippled life and killed industries. Terrorists had a free run of the country, bombing, killing and maiming at will.

  There was no political morality. Political power at all cost was the name of the game. Known criminals and mafia dons were given tickets by political parties to contest elections. Elected leaders had no loyalty to the voters but switched sides to gain the benefits of office. Bribes were accepted for using the voting rights during trial of strength in the parliament and no one was found guilty. Elected representatives and their families wanted to be above law. Authority was desired without any responsibility for the acts of omission and commission. Black cat commando protection for self and family had become a status symbol.

  Col Sen was very sad. He longed to set the things right. But what could he do? He prayed to God to do something to save his country, to give him the strength to do something to set things right. He prayed often, long and hard. Finally one day God appeared before him and said, “I am pleased with your prayers and your love for your mother land. I am going to give you one chance to do something for your country. I will put your soul into the body of the president. However, to make sure that you do not change your resolve after you become the president, the change will be only for six months after which your soul will revert to your own body. Whatever you want to do, you will have to do in these six months. Tomorrow, when you wake up, you will find yourself in the body of the President. Sort the mess out if you can. My blessings are with you.”

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