India at ’76

There are problems in the world

Each year more are unfurled

Climate change has been there.

The pandemic brought its share.

Inequality is very dire

And maybe getting even higher.

And since the Russia-Ukraine War

The World has had to then endure

An unexpected commodity boom

All these dangers constantly loom.

Some countries succumbed to all this flack.

But we are on a better track!

And as commodity prices decline

Our inflation numbers should be fine.

We already know we will survive.

And now there’s hope we will thrive.

Our economy is growing fast

And there are signs that this will last.

Now that India turns ’76

There are many problems we can fix.

Though there are many reasons to cheer

Today’s India, I sometimes fear

Will not achieve all we desire.

There are many things for which we aspire.

Can we take the inclusive call

With an economy that works for all.

A democracy with give and take

In which everyone has a stake.

And discourse is free and polite.

Where we listen and refuse to slight.

Indeed it’s good if leaders are strong

But to ensure that nothing goes wrong

Good feedback is the key!

Feedback  should be good and free.

The times are tough, but we stand tall.

We must beware, lest we fall.

If we are smart as well as wise

Surely India’s bound to rise.

By Nadir Godrej