POETRY: The ‘Public’ in Public Administration

The ‘public’ element of administration is missing,
and the institutions separated and purposely kissing.
The blues of the service becomes a fantasy,
and the claims of the state becomes an ecstasy.
The lives of the people downtrodden and ailing,
and canvas of the governance torn while sailing.
The onset of empowering questions the power,
the civil society seldom enjoys monsoon shower.
The transition from democratic to populism,
the coercion of one with dutiful sarcasm.
The politics of power and sectarian interest,
the feast day for the public but it’s a political fest.
The arising contradictions and conflicts at a super pace,
act of governance bullied in this mad race.
The part played by a responsible citizenry,
maneouvering, negotiating and dictating the mastery.
The success of the governance addressed as skill,
the lacunae speaks of disowning the general will.
But amidst this chaos for the public to prevail,
dutiful service to The public must impale.

[Rohit Raj (2014) is a postgraduate student of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science. He can be reached via email at: raj.rohit80[at]yahoo.com]