Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Kohinoor
Among India’s fine politicians there
Is but one who never loses his shine.
Like the Kohinoor, he passes from
Hand to hand, crown to crown, enemy
To enemy, friend to friend, glowing
For all with equal light just so long
As they keep him at the height.
An unshakeably principled man,
He finds a new cause for cleaning
Up the realm, then, at opportune time,
Returns to the previous. All about
Him is above board and pristine,
Nothing devious. He has a manner
Most innocuous and humble, and in his
Political kitty, he packs oodles
Of moral dexterity that never
Fails to impress. What he opposed
Yesterday, he can sanitise today—
A diamond who unleashes a canny
Ray whenever fortunes seem to
Turn grey. If only Indian politicians
Imbibed such ethical transactions,
We would have a Republic freed
Of fake ideological contentions.
Badri Raina