The economy is in a historic recession.
Millions and millions and millions of Indians have lost their jobs and are struggling to survive.
The government is starved for funds and will need to borrow trillions of rupees to make up for the shortfall in revenues.
But for one prime ministerial grand desire, the Modi Sarkar has enough funds.
It will spend at a conservative estimate Rs 20,000 crores or Rs 200 billion on the Central Vista project.
On Thursday, December 10, the prime minister will lay the foundation stone for a new Parliament building, which will be the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the three kilometre Rajpath on which some of New Delhi's most iconic buildings stand.
Dominic Xavier wonders why the government wants to spend so much money on construction at a time when the money could be put to better use to address and alleviate the agony and misery that so many Indians experience each day.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com