English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#11 – Golden Promises, Rusted Realities ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆
Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’
Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.
As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire Golden Promises, Rusted Realities.
☆ Witful Warmth # 11 ☆
☆ Satire ☆ Golden Promises, Rusted Realities ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆
In the grand theater of politics, where speeches are laced with honey and dreams are sold like hotcakes, there exists a peculiar species known as the Politician. This charismatic creature is an artist of the highest order, painting landscapes of utopia with broad strokes of promises. Yet, as any seasoned citizen knows, these masterpieces often fade into rusty mirages once the applause dies down and the reality show begins.
Consider, if you will, the tale of one illustrious leader, the Honorable Minister of Promises (MoP). When the MoP took to the podium, the air was electric with hope. “We will build bridges, not walls!” he declared, to a roaring crowd. The metaphor was delicious; the imagery, divine. Bridges of opportunity, unity, and progress! But as time ticked on, it became apparent that the only bridge being built was the one connecting his promises to the realm of fantasy.
Take, for instance, the much-lauded “Green Revolution 2.0,” a campaign that vowed to plant a billion trees by the year’s end. The forests would bloom, they said, the air would purify, and Mother Nature would sing praises of the MoP. Fast forward twelve months, and the landscape remained as barren as a politician’s soul during a budget cut. The grand total of trees planted? Two. And one of them was plastic, installed for a photo op.
Then there was the glittering promise of “Universal Healthcare for All.” The MoP stood tall, basking in the glory of the crowd’s adoration. Free healthcare, they said, for every man, woman, and child! The crowds cheered, and the MoP’s approval ratings soared higher than the price of prescription drugs. Yet, as weeks turned into months, the promised healthcare revolution dwindled to a mere band-aid on a bullet wound. The newly built hospital had one doctor, no equipment, and a waiting list that extended into the afterlife.
Education, too, was a fertile ground for promises. “No child left behind,” they chanted, promising state-of-the-art schools, free textbooks, and a tablet for every student. The vision was intoxicating, the future bright. But as the school year began, students found themselves in dilapidated buildings with outdated textbooks and broken promises. The promised tablets? Delivered alright, in the form of stone slates reminiscent of ancient times.
Employment was another shining star in the MoP’s constellation of commitments. “Jobs for everyone!” they proclaimed, envisioning a land where every citizen had meaningful work. Instead, what emerged was a new wave of positions in the growing industry of disappointment management. Job fairs were held, applications were filled, and interviews were conducted. The result? An employment rate that remained as stagnant as a politician’s integrity during an expense scandal.
Infrastructure, too, was not spared the kiss of the promise-maker. “Smooth roads and modern amenities for all!” the MoP shouted from the rooftops. Alas, the roads remained riddled with potholes, each one a silent testament to the broken vows of yesteryears. Bridges were constructed, only to collapse under the weight of unmet expectations. The promised amenities? Nowhere to be seen, unless one counted the shiny new office buildings housing the Department of Empty Promises.
The MoP’s pièce de résistance, however, was the grand “Clean Water for Every Home” initiative. A world where every faucet flowed with pure, crystal-clear water was the dream sold to the masses. Yet, in a cruel twist of irony, the only thing that flowed was the steady stream of excuses. “Technical difficulties,” they said. “Budget constraints,” they claimed. The reality? Dry taps and parched throats, while the MoP hydrated himself with imported bottled water.
In the end, the story of the MoP is a cautionary tale, a satire of the highest order. It is a reminder that in the world of politics, promises are like fast food—cheap, quickly made, and utterly lacking in nourishment. The citizens, having feasted on the empty calories of political rhetoric, find themselves bloated with disillusionment and hunger for real change.
So, as we navigate the turbulent waters of democracy, let us remember the tale of the MoP. Let us hold our leaders accountable, demand truth in place of glittering lies, and refuse to be swayed by the siren song of empty promises. For in the end, it is we, the people, who must live with the reality of the rusted dreams and broken pledges left in the wake of the politician’s golden promises.
© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’
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