Editorials
by Rajen Kumar
No Escaping Social Media
Running a magazine concentrating on issues of small and medium enterprises and managing with limited resources is a like living life on the edge. In this rush of meeting deadlines,...
More
Special Reports
Apr 2012EMRC, Brussels Associates with SME WORLD as its New Media Partner
EMRC has promoted business partnerships with the developing world and has organised dozens of business forums in key decision-making cities, such as Amsterdam, Rome,...
More
Special Reports
Aam Admi Does! Aam Aurat Doesn’t
Aroon Sharma
Feb 2010
Feb 2010
Aam Admi signs-in his entry, passes through a metal detector, clears the manual security check, runs his eyes on indicator signs, turns to the visitor's room, passes through a second metal detector, steps in, fidgets, matches the time on the wall clock with that on his wrist watch, looks up at the TV for the Breaking News: NO NEW TAXES FOR AAM ADMI, sips offered water!!
Finance Minister: Yes?
Aam Admi: Yes, Sir! I am here, Sir, I have turned up on time, Sir!
FM: I meant what can I do for you?
AA: What not, Sir!
FM: Go Ahead! Ask?
AA: Just reduce tax burden, Sir!
FM: Like? Be Specific?
AA: On everything, Sir! Everything!
FM: If you can't be specific, I would be! May I?
AA: Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir! It would be a pleasure!
FM: Did you pay any Appointment Tax while seeking an appointment?
AA: No, Sir! Absolutely Not!
FM: Was a Sign-in Entry Tax imposed?
AA: No, Sir! Not a paisa, Sir!
FM: Was a Metal Detector Tax charged?
AA: Not at All, Sir!
FM: Wasn't that Manual Security Check Tax free?
AA: It was! Indeed it was, Sir!
FM: And No Sofa Tax in the visitor's lounge?
AA: You are right, Sir ! Very right!
FM: Was there a Watch TV tax?
AA: No, Sir! No. Sir!
FM: Any charge or surcharge on Breaking News Tax?
AA: Breaking News were free, Sir! Totally free!
FM: And you paid nothing on the Sip Water Tax?
AA: Agreed Sir! I did not pay anything, Sir?
FM: You know how valuable a FM's time is?
AA: I do, Sir? Who doesn't?
FM: There's was no Value for FM's Time Tax?
AA: Great, Sir! Like a free lunch!
FM: Have I convinced you? Be frank?
AA: There's a distinct feeling deep down inside that you have, Sir!
FM: And there's no proposal for Convincing Aam Admi Tax?
AA: That's a relief, Sir! A great relief, Sir!
FM: I notice you have used the word 'great' as a compliment?
AA: Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir! I did compliment you!
FM: And my dear Aam Admi, you don't have to Pay Compliment tax?
AA: May be I erred, I was wrong that being an Aam Admi I was being taxed !
FM: Rest assured, we don't have To Err is Human Tax?
AA: No taxes and still we pay taxes, Sir! That's my point!
FM: That's an argument! You are exempt from Argument Tax?
AA: I am moved by your move, Sir! You have really exempted a lot of taxes!
FM: Add to it, our avowed policy of No Exemption Tax?
AA: So I am to presume that we'll have a General Budget of Exemptions?
FM: Why presume! I assure you! No Presumption; No Assurance Tax!
AA: And still the General Budget is cloaked in secrecy, Sir!
FM: That's a tradition on which there has never been a Tradition Tax ?
AA: Any idea, Sir ! On what we pay taxes then !
FM: On whatever you do to make both ends meet?
AA: That's your excellency's empathy!
We struggle to make both ends meet!
FM: See, we all struggle! Don't I struggle on the General Budget ?
AA: Of course, Sir ! I think the struggle begins in November with inputs !
FM: Correct ! Here see, no Struggle Tax on you, no Inputs Tax on ministers ?
AA: You are really kind to both, we the Aam Admi(s), and your Khaas Admi(s) ?
FM: Equality is the essence of our Common Minimum Programme with Allies ?
AA: This time, let me say before you do: no Equality, Programme & Allies Tax ?
FM: That's what I called an true-blue Aam Admi with no khaas grievances!
AA: So safe enough to conclude, Sir, that no new shock taxes on February 26 ?
FM: Yes, only a few adjustments to straighten out the existing taxes ?
AA: And of course no Adjustment Tax ?
FM: Yes, not even by 2014 when we seek your mandate again?
AA: And no Mandate Tax too !
FM: Yes ! You're right ! The mandate is the Aam Admi's love for us ?
AA: I love my wife too ! She runs the household !
FM: Go ahead ! Go ahead ! And share with her what I have told ?
AA: I would, Sir but she would not, just not...I don't know how to put it !
FM: She would not ? Would not what ?
AA: She would not, Sir, believe me, Sir ! Never would she, Sir !
FM: That's her disobedience, if not respect to the Aam Admi ! Sad, I would say ?
AA: But, Sir , she is not an Aam Admi; she is an Aam Aurat running a household !
FM: So, what's the difference? Tell me ? It'll help me ; my General Budget ?
AA: Sir, trust me! The Aam Admi does, but an Aam Aurat doesn't trust the FM !!
0 Comments >>
Our Achievements
- Winner of appreciation award for promoting SMEs in India.
- 1st ever Indian magazine to penetrate tier II, III cities & the rural belt.
- Industry Partnerships include CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHDCC, AIMA, ITPO, SME Network, Federation of Indian Micro Small Enterprises (FISME)
- Official Magazine Partners for several national & international MSME events.
More
The Last Word
More Learned than Educated, You were!
I was speechless. Rather hesitatingly I asked him, “So, what have you decided, Sominder ?” His reply was curt and candid, “I have told the doctors that I don’t want to live life as dumb. Only...
More
Contribute
You can also write for SME WORLD
We are looking for writers and experts to contribute original stories and articles. Send an email to smeworld@gmail.com with your story idea and lets get talking.
Some of our valued contributors are...