To day on 1st may I was waiting for a bus for quite some time & eventually had to take an auto. On asking the driver why buses were not plying, he rolled his eyes in a silent ridicule & told in a patronizing manner do not you know to day is may day.

On my asking then why he was plying his vehicle it was his turn to look sheepish. To rub in I quipped is may day important only when it is a paid holiday? His cheeks turned red I have never seen even young girls blushing so much while discussing their pregnancy or periods.

He must be a decent soul. On reaching office I found most of the adjoining offices closed. Despite of this we are going to have another holiday very soon in the name of election. That reminds me why we can not have elections on a Sunday?

But no, who will miss a paid holiday. After all this is a small sacrifice in the name of democracy. This set me thinking as to why we need so many holidays. I often wonder why we are so lazy. Is it to do some thing with the tropical climate or our fatalistic attitude or simple life style or all included?

I am sure the scenario is same every where but here we can get away with this. In secretariat, staff holds demonstration during working hours & is rarely seen to be beyond their desk working in time. Once crossing over to private sector they become paragon of virtue though it is rare to see such cross over.

India is a land of diversity with many religions, casts & creeds, all having their little festivals. Therefore we have so many great men, real & mythical.

Add to the same some days dedicated to natural calamities & it adds up to a nice number. I wonder whether so many holidays make us efficient or dull.

Going by our productivity, the latter seems to be true. I wonder can we ever become a front line state despite aspiring or b.