Don't take Aam Aadmi for a ride

In 2008, I, Aam Aadmi, was made to believe that India would benefit from the Indo-US nuclear deal and the logic, for the Aam Aadmi like me, was given that India would have surplus and cheap energy.

On the face of it, logic appeared to be good enough, but was it the only reason for Prime Minister to put his government at risk. Though outwardly it appeared there was a threat to his government, managers knew that this much 'so called threat' is always necessary to show the magnanimity of the deal.

I, Aam Aadmi, was made to believe that after this deal every Indian village would have sufficient electricity. Again today, in the similar fashion, I, Aam Aadmi, am being made to believe that opening up market for global retailers would benefit India, particularly the small farmers and consumers. It is being said that government's decision to allow foreign retailers to hold 51 per cent stake in the multi-brand retail sector would bring in jobs and investment in the country. However, I, Aam Aadmi, do not understand one thing that at present the US and Europe are passing through worst financial crisis and unemployment, so how these western companies would invest in India and address our economic and employment issues.

If economists and government of the day are to be believed then our economy is in good condition and we are not facing any crisis like the US or Europe. So what I think is that these multinationals would not be in the Indian interest and we should be honest and bold enough to accept that it would benefit multinational companies more and Indians less, and would ultimately benefit the parent countries of the companies.

Another logic being given is that small farmers would get more prices of their products and consumer would have to pay less. I, Aam Aadmi, can understand that these companies would remove the role of the middle men and can pay more to the farmers, but how consumer will get the product at a cheaper price is something which I, Aam Aadmi, do not understand. How can one sell the product at a cheaper price when it is paying more to buy the product? And if we say that by removing middlemen would help in doing so then please tell that from where the companies will run the fully air conditioned world class super market chains and pay the so called good salaries to new employees and independent middlemen earlier. So please don't take me, the Aam Aadmi, for a ride as I am well aware of hidden costs and hidden agendas of the companies.

You, the government, know well whom to serve. I, Aam Aadmi, am not a priority, that is certain, but please, for God sake, don't use me to serve your or someone else hidden agenda. If you really care about me, than please stop all this, because to me it appears the return of 'East India Company' in modern form.