Did India’s job graph really climb? Pundits Debroy and Dhume debate on Twitter – in rhyme
A battle in verse began when Niti Aayog member Debroy posted his Mint Metric on Thursday.
It all started in droll fashion on Thursday morning, when Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy posted a tweet with the latest edition of Mint Metric, the feature in limerick he writes for the Mint financial newspaper.
His newest ruminations related to possible changes in the H-1B work visa rules in the United States, which would hurt Indian workers who are waiting for so-called green cards that give them permanent resident status.
Debroy wrote:
Today's Mint Metric in @livemint.
— Bibek Debroy (@bibekdebroy) January 4, 2018
If H-1B rules are given a tweak,
Some futures may turn downright bleak.
Waiting for the card to turn green
They will have to deport the scene,
Without a paddle and up the creek.
It didn’t take long for Sadanand Dhume, an American commentator who specialises on South Asian affairs, to come back with a response, also framed in rhyme.
Amidst the sobs,
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) January 4, 2018
About looming H-1B probs,
I have a query,
That we should not bury,
Why hasn’t Modi sarkar created jobs?
Debroy chairs the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, which was formed in September to suggest measures to boost the economy. The council had listed creation of jobs as a priority in its first meeting.
Debroy told Dhume that he was making a wrong deduction because the data was inaccurate.
Dhume replied that despite this, it was still hard to make the case that jobs had grown.
Let’s not blame the data,
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) January 4, 2018
On a rather pressing matter,
Hard to make the case,
That jobs have grown apace,
As promised by dear neta.
The exchange continued, with Debroy seeming to take a jibe at Dhume – an enthusiastic supporter of the Narendra Modi regime until last year – for his volte-face.
This is not about you or me,
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) January 4, 2018
We’re discussing the economy.
But thanks for your time,
Always fun to rhyme,
Even if we don’t agree.
As the exchange ended, other users jumped in too, to express their delight at this civilised war of words.
With deft wordplay witnessed @bibekdebroy @dhume battle
— hum_bolega (@hum_bolega) January 4, 2018
On *jobs* & *economy* - causing nerves unsettle.
Displaying utmost civility & bhadralok trait
That are amiss in public discourse, of late.
‘Twas sharp & crisp sans lengthy prattle.
These limericks are sound in logic
— Vaidehi Tandel (@VaidehiTandel) January 4, 2018
Shedding light on both sides of the topic
But to make things more lively
And going viral more likely
A rap battle would be epic!