NEW DELHI, March 27 -- The auditors of the country, who are very powerful people and oversee how public money is spent by the ones who govern, in my imagination, pursed their lips while the government official sat in front of them. "Sir," said the first auditor, "there has been some very unwise spending on your part in building the new parliament building!"

"What are you saying?" screamed the government official jumping to his feet, then being told to sit down by his colleague, who gestured that auditors were very powerful people and could not be reasoned with threats or bullying, as he was used to doing. He sat down mollified, and asked in a whisper this time, "What are you saying?"

"Speak louder!" said the first auditor.

"I did, and ...