I live in the suburbs of Calcutta (yes that decrepit city) and see this tragicomedy play out frequently at a micro scale.
If the king (of India) or the queen (of our state) visits, or if a G20 event or a "business summit" happens, potted plants magically appear on medians and sidewalks, railings are installed or painted, potholes filled (well enough to last precisely 2 weeks), posters of all kinds with the faces that matter hang everywhere, sidewalks are cleared of "irritants".
So far the green screens only cover the grimy landscape pockmarked with garbage vats or construction sites and not people's houses, but maybe this is another (bad) idea whose time has come.
At home, our (my wife is on board) solution is to meet guests outside only, at cafes restaurants wherever we don't have to clean up the mess around us. 🙂
The farce of painting over the cracks makes one laugh, but the indignity of covering up people's existence is a reminder of how unchecked state power is.
And denying them their livelihood. So many daily wagers were prevented from working. The "mother of democracy" punishing her poor kids just for existing.
Once again, wonderful insights and great writing! Always a fan, Mo!
Very kind of you, Jeremy!
Vanity, thy name is Modi!
Love the image!
Nightcafe did a super job!
Reflections !! Wonderfully worded Big Mo !!
Super.
I live in the suburbs of Calcutta (yes that decrepit city) and see this tragicomedy play out frequently at a micro scale.
If the king (of India) or the queen (of our state) visits, or if a G20 event or a "business summit" happens, potted plants magically appear on medians and sidewalks, railings are installed or painted, potholes filled (well enough to last precisely 2 weeks), posters of all kinds with the faces that matter hang everywhere, sidewalks are cleared of "irritants".
So far the green screens only cover the grimy landscape pockmarked with garbage vats or construction sites and not people's houses, but maybe this is another (bad) idea whose time has come.
At home, our (my wife is on board) solution is to meet guests outside only, at cafes restaurants wherever we don't have to clean up the mess around us. 🙂
The farce of painting over the cracks makes one laugh, but the indignity of covering up people's existence is a reminder of how unchecked state power is.
And denying them their livelihood. So many daily wagers were prevented from working. The "mother of democracy" punishing her poor kids just for existing.