While criminal politicians show off their self importance taking salutes in Republic Day march pasts we wake to the news that Yashwant Sonawane, Additional District Collector in Nashik, Maharashtra was burnt to death by criminals adulterating petrol. A group of men led by one Popat Shinde poured kerosene over Sonawane and set him on fire in front of people in broad daylight. Shinde had criminal cases registered against him in 2006 and 2008 but was obviously still free to carry out such a bestial attack on a government officer. Questions: 1. Are Indians a savage people deluding themselves about 5000 years of civilisation? 2. When a known criminal like Shinde is allowed to carry on with his activities why are we paying extortionate taxes? 3. Is their a special hatred for government officials that fuels such murderous rage? 4. Was Shinde being protected by someone so powerful that he thinks he is immune to any punishment? If so who is this person? Will we ever find out? Recently an IAS couple, Arvind and Tintoo Joshi were found to have Rs 36.2 in cash and Rs 2.63 billion in assets. 18432 officials were surveyed by Center for Good Governance, Hyderabad of which 4808 responded. 80% agreed that it paid to be corrupt. Honest officials are harassed through false complaints and investigations while the crooks get plum postings. 93.1% of IPS, 87.5% of IAS and 80% of IFS officials agreed that criminal politicians always find willing officials to assist them. Finally, it is the wide differences in prices because of the stupid tax system that makes it highly profitable to mix petrol with diesel and diesel with kerosene. What use are all these parades?