They proudly claim,
These politicians,
India is progressing,
India is shining.
Multicrore Ad films are played,
Portraying a happy India,
Smiling faces, prosperity,
A truly shining India.

With murders and crimes,
On the rise, and how,
Just at the drop of a hat,
People are gunned down.
And you say,
India is shining?

Endless is the list,
Of high profile scams and cases,
While mere justice to age old trials,
Still await anxious masses.
You really think,
India is shining?

Starvation deaths,
At every street corner,
On the other hand extravagant birthday parties,
For eighty-plus ministers.
You still believe,
India is shining?

The youth of India,
The torch bearers of tomorrow,
Made to write Board exams,
Sitting on the floor.
How could you say,
India is shining?

Our neighbourhood children,
Stray into our boundary,
Imprisoned for months,
Is this hospitality?
Tell me now,
Is India shining?

Amidst all this, our so called leaders,
Blinded by corruption,
Are busy fighting,
An ‘I-am-the-best’ campaign.
So, you were saying,
India is shining?

Well yes, India has progressed,
I deny not the fact.
But this has been eclipsed,
By several other aspects.
With the complexity of causes,
For a still struggling nation,
There is a long way before,
India can brightly shine.