New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- When I used to see images of Indians wading through flooded streets, or large crowds trying to squeeze into trains in Mumbai, or a mile-long queue of people in the rain waiting for an auto, I used to feel infuriated, but these days I feel this is what they voted for.

You may argue that peoplewantbetter urban lives, but there is nothing more useless than a 'want.' In fact, I would argue that the political class too 'wants' better urban planning. Everybody 'wants' to live amid beauty. An intent is not as important as where it lies in the hierarchy of intents. Everybody has broadly the same set of wants, intentions, values and goals. What separates people and nations is the order of those things.

I even think it is abs...