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Maut Ke Saudagar

Death is an inevitable part of life. Most of us must have lost a near and dear one at some time. As we struggle to come in terms with our loss, an eco-system of vultures appears to the make most out of our misery. It begins with the mortuary staff which needs to be tipped to make sure you get the body on time, then the ward boys to help you carry the body to the ambulance, the ambulance driver who will charge thousands for a few kilometres, the priest who will deliver moksha, the babu who needs to be bribed to get the death certificate...

This eco-system of vultures cares little about your grief and pain. They are good at spotting someone in a vulnerable state and are happy to exploit them for the own benefits.

Some years ago, our media also joined this eco-system of vultures. This media would shove a mike to  face of a parent of gang rape victim's family and ask if they had a message to give. Media would shamelessly intrude into the life of a grieving family looking for a sound byte that would get them some TRPs.

Now we have politicians who compete with each other to join this ecosystem of vultures. Politicians often need moments to convey their point of view and what can be more dramatic than death. From death of terrorists in Bhopal or Kashmir to the recent suicide of an ex-serviceman - all offer opportune moments to score a political points and just like the mortuary ward boys,  these politicians will make the best use of every opportunity.

My only request to Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi ... your governments have failed to provide a life of dignity to our citizens .... let there at least be dignity in death. 

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