Social media became a battleground as some celebrated a leader's birthday while others marked it as "National Unemployment Day." Newspapers across the country were plastered with full-page advertisements, yet the public was told the Prime Minister believed in "simplicity." This paradox begs the question: how much does such "simplicity" truly cost? Insiders reveal that a single full-page advertisement in one national newspaper for the leader's birthday cost an eye-watering 3 crore rupees. Multiply that across numerous publications, and the numbers become staggering, making one wonder about the true cost behind this public image of humility.
These celebrations weren't just a one-day affair; they reportedly stretched into a "birthday fortnight," with directives issued to state governments to transform the event into a grand "event fortnight." Roads were adorned with giant hoardings, and television and digital media joined the chorus of birthday wishes. Alarmingly, some critics drew parallels to personality cults seen in authoritarian regimes, questioning if such lavish displays were appropriate in a democracy. From famous actors to renowned chess players, many public figures were reportedly given scripts to post birthday wishes, raising concerns about genuine sentiment versus orchestrated messaging.
This extravagant display also extended to "return gifts" from the leader to the nation. While presented as benevolent gestures, these initiatives, like the launch of new schemes or inauguration of projects, often coincided precisely with the birthday period. Past birthdays have seen grand gestures, such as gifting the nation eight cheetahs, brought in from Namibia, followed by photo opportunities. This year, the "Service Fortnight" saw numerous programs: a Chief Minister organized a large exhibition on the leader's life, another state's Chief Minister launched programs for healthy families and textile parks promising thousands of jobs, and financial aid for differently-abled citizens. Even a key political figure organized a colossal program with a 1600-crore "gift" to a state, all supposedly in celebration. Curious, isn't it, how such significant projects and acts of generosity align perfectly with a personal birthday, often using taxpayer money? This trend has led some to suggest that the ruling party views national resources and public funds as tools for personal branding, culminating in a celebration period so vast it even encroaches upon historical national observances like Gandhi Jayanti. It makes you wonder: is the whole country just one big circus, and are we, the public, merely performing monkeys in this grand show?
