#189 Strange Are The Ways Of Democracy

<p><strong>India Policy Watch #1: Ganesh Ji & Lakshmi Ji To The Rescue  </strong></p><p><em>Insights on domestic policy issues </em></p><p><em>— RSJ</em></p><p>Sometime last week, this newsletter marked three years of its existence. A blink of an eye in the larger scheme of things. Yet, it feels nice to have reached this milestone. Consistency might be the virtue of an ass, but it is a virtue nevertheless. In these three years, we have stayed somewhat true to our purpose in every edition we have sent out. We have analysed policies intending to anticipate their unintended consequences. We have debated about what’s good in the long term for India since we care for it. And we have tried to influence or perhaps shape the demand side of the political equation by increasing awareness about public policy among our readers. This is a marathon, and we are in it for the long run. No effort is too small. We cannot thank you enough for the generosity of your time in reading us. </p><p>Anyway, returning to one of the things we care for deeply. India’s future prospects. No amount of thinking about it could have brought us to the conclusion that Arvind Kejriwal reached last week about this vexing issue. The leader of AAP <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/arvind-kejriwal-demands-laxmi-ganesh-pictures-on-indian-currency-vote-bank-politics-says-bjp#read-more">addressed a press conference </a>where he asked the PM for a critical policy intervention:</p><p>"I appeal to PM Modi that the Indian currency has the picture of Gandhi ji on one side, it should remain like that. But on the other side, there should be a picture of Ganesh ji and Laxmi ji. We need efforts to make the Indian economy stronger, but we also need the blessings of gods and goddesses," he said.</p><p>While Laxmi is the goddess of prosperity, Lord Ganesh is believed to solve all our 'vighnas' (problems), Kejriwal said.</p><p>"We are not asking for printing fresh currency, but all the new currency that gets printed, this should be impleme