Webmaster: What happened, Santa ji! What happened to your pocket? Someone picked it.
Santa: Who has the guts to that, apart from my wife, Jeeto. Expenses are mounting. Even the rates of necessities are mounting, leave apart comforts of life. One can't even think of luxuries. But no denying fact in that the things which were luxuries earlier like AC, Car and Refrigerator have become necessities. How times change!
Webmaster: Quite right! But why do you feel the pinch right now?
Santa: Earlier, I used to refer a case or two to a higher government official for favours, and in turn got my cut. But things have changed now. People fear getting the work done, and the Government servants in Punjab fear doing anyone's work because of the opening of Pandora's box by Maharaja Sahib, they never did anything in the first place but that is totally different matter. I think I would have to shift to Delhi now. I believe the rates and commissions are quite good at the Rajdhani.
Webmaster: You are really too much. You don't spare anyone.
Santa: Did anyone spare the poor tax-paying layman of Punjab. There is virtually no business in Punjab. Now they are contemplating on increasing the Power tariffs. I wish I could afford another home then I could have shifted to Hills in summer. To hell with electricity, ACs and Refrigerators.
Webmaster: Things are really hot. Even Gujarat is burning.
Santa: Yeah, the situation is bad. People have lost faith in the system. Mr President should impose his rule to restore people's faith in the so called goevrnment. Every body is fighting, even the RSS and BJP have started fighting on Gujarat. Gandhi's Gujarat has become Godse's Gujarat. How are we differnet from Musharraf and Bin Laden?
Webmaster: Even West Indies is burning with pace of Dillon.
Santa: India should also take some Dhillon in their team to match him. If he is not able to bowl , he would bring blisters to the Indies with his boiling temper, Punjabis are known for it. And some burfi should be served to Cuffy to mellow him down.
Webmaster: What is the future of the Indian Cricket team?
Santa: Only those have future, who have had the past. Some cricketers and BCCI might hold a good prospect and will get some more endorsements too. Otherwise, nothing much is in store for the cricket lovers like us.
Webmaster: What about the burning issue of corruption in Punjab?
Santa: I already mentioned it in my opening lines. There would be truce at the end. This campaign would not sustain for long. If the Maharaja can pull an ace, the Punjabis would be indebted to him for ages. But there is a big 'IF' in it. But one thing I must add that no one should be spared. All those who have been named should be behind the bars. PCS officers should be removed now, and let the law take its own course after that. Some law-keepers should also be dealt with iron hand to nip evil in the bud. But in Punjab's case this bud has grown as the size of banyan tree itself.
Webmaster: Do you foresee any changes in the world situation?
Santa: No ways, our team is facing a lot of problem. After the win of Musharraf, 2 of our cartoonists have left the job. They say that they are bored illustrating
Musharraf and his puny henchmen, and they can't do it for another 5 years. The
good news in middle east is for Israel, at least they have the opportunity to
see the different face in action everytime they go offensive against Palestine.
But all the Palestinians have to bear the grumpy old Yasser Arafat, who can be
captivated for umpteen days at any place. I guess by now he has learnt to enjoy
the things as they are. I heard it also that he never wanted to come out of his
captivation in the first place. It was only when Israelis got his Playboy
subscription cancelled, he agreed to come out. I think Palestine should look
toward east for new leader. Pakistan has plenty of qualified candidates, who got
their expertise, in blowing things away, from Osama in first hand.
