Misplaced Exceptionalism, Political Hubris, and Personal Failure

Image Source: Twitter

Fabrics of nations have been altered by political hubris. 
All through human history.
I say nations only because kingdoms,
where hubris was rife, accepted, and almost indispensable, 
did not represent its people better. 
Two hundred or so years since nation-states started dotting the world map,
we are still finding ways to substantiate this alleged claim. 

The last fortnight has been horrendous for India. 
Things close to home hit harder.
I am magically rid of my tolerance and possible indifference.
I know what is happening around me.
I know what has happened and I know what could have happened.
More importantly, I know why it happened.

I know I have failed when the world's pharmacy
has only vaccinated a little over a percent of its population so far.
I know I have failed when misplaced exceptionalism
pushes an elected leader to call endgame despite.
I know I have failed when social media 
is more reliable in crisis-response than my elected government.

I know I have failed when mud-slinging between centre-ruled states 
and the rest dominates news cycles, in what is a union government.
I know I have failed when ignorance and desperation makes 
my people demand celebrities to break their perfectly acceptable silence.
I know I have failed when the national pastime
of complacence brings thousands to stadiums, rallies, and river banks.

I know I have failed when I realise some of these deaths were avoidable -  
with better systems, more preparedness, and less complacence.
I know I have failed when hospitals implore support every hour, 
for scores relying on minutes of supply of the air we breathe.
I know I have failed when banal politicking and censoring
preoccupies my elected leaders over life-saving responses.

I know I have failed when my representatives fail to represent.