We the people, always rise to the occasion, and exercise our democratic rights with an amazing mix of hindsight and forethought. We are continuously learning, and of course, teaching our stakeholders, the true value of what we have, and how not to take its privileges lightly.

Our democratic structures too are in place. The two houses of our parliament are occupied by people we put there, either by directly having our say, or, by
reposing this right in the hands of those we elect. Now for example, there has never been any doubt in our minds, that the Rajya Sabha is a venerable place, where it is a privilege, above all others, to come either as an elected, or as a nominated member. Its members, we believe, nurture our democratic aspirations and constantly act as a restorative and corrective influence, if the rough and
tumble of the lower house gets out of control and/or appears to threaten the interests of the electorate. In any event of this nature, we believe, the elders play their role and exercise their mature judgement, to ease out the creases,
which a democracy as populous and diverse as ours, is surely prone to.
On our part we provide generously for them.

They are entitled to relatively endless bounty, safety and comfort. They earn a generous life pension barely after five years in their seats, while a government servant has to serve at least thirty or more years, to be entitled to a measly pension. Most of us go without employment, or any form of social security, our entire lives. However, our growing experience in shaping the edifices of our democracy, has taught us to sense and feel some vulnerable soft spots in this supposedly flawless space.

Strange games are played in the name of democracy. Those we supposedly elect to protect and provide for us, have to be protected at our cost, from us, while women, children, senior citizens, the disabled and the deprived amongst us, are routinely raped, kidnapped, murdered, robbed and constantly ground into the mud and slime of struggle for survival.

We have now, not only disproportionately large quantities of criminals, hustlers and scamsters occupying the hallowed halls of our parliament, but also dubious rank and file of Bollywood, infamous for its hidden, and not so hidden, links to the underbelly of the Mafia, queuing up for the sweet taste of power.

To combat this brand new spin-off in the turns and twists of our emerging democracy, why don't we put in place provisions, whereby all members aspiring to, at least the Rajya Sabha, either voluntarily forfeit all their privileges, except of course that of serving their nation. Or, once their material and other assets have been made public, set a bench-mark, whereby, anyone beyond a certain league automatically surrenders his/her right to any financial gain, in lieu of occupying the said ranks. Following which they would not only not be entitled to their usual salaries and perks, they would also be debarred from life pensions.

Besides this voluntary surrender of their prerogatives, they would be required to create, choose or identify some social service, sector, or project, which they would set up, adopt and work for, promote, support, and be committed to complete, meeting pre-determined, standards, within a set time-plan.

Actually. if the present set of incumbents were, right now, to cancel this claim to the benefits accruing to them, it would not only immeasurably add to their moral stature but also earn them the respect of their countrymen, which as we all know is not readily accorded to many of their tribe.

In the eventuality of all this not working out, why don't we then auction the Rajya Sabha seats? Seriously. That way while the exchequer adds to its kitty, the bidders’ pockets, judging by the current trends, would hardly be any lighter.

We do have bidders these days - don't we? To misquote Shakespeare ... 'Time is out of joint; oh cursed spite, that none amongst us is born to set it right!'