Austerity and the Theory of Relativity

The recent and ongoing debate on Austerity measures being proposed and imposed by our Political leaders in India, and thereafter being dissected by the media is a real cause for concern. They seem to see austerity in a molecular singular sense and present tense. Austerity would mean exhibiting a sense of livelyhood relatively lower to your regular standard of living. An Onasis exhibiting an austere life would probably mean skiping his caviar and champagne. My austerity would mean swapping my J&B whisky for a Captain Whisky. Thus a Shashi Tharoor, though someone who very naturally adapts to any environment and living condition, perceived by the press to be someone who splurged while an employee of the UN, is told to move out of a 5 Star Hotel into some inconspcious accomodation only becasue the 5 Star accomodation is peceived to be un-austere. I have stayed at the worlds best hotels at rates far lower than the rack rates of many 2 or 3 star hotels. Yet had I stayed at the lower grade hotel paying more - I would have been perceived to be 'austere' by beholders. Sonia Gandhi flying in Economy Class is perceived to be austere (even though the government spends more on logistics and security. The press coverage, mobile vans, police detail, CBI and all other departments carbon footprint would have been doubled or trebled on her austerity drive. And the more absurd one - is Rahul's train journey. Rahul sees it as his molecular and singular self being austere. Yet a government sees it as security detail of a larger number of the NSG (invisible to Rahul) for the 3 hour journey rather than a handful required for his 15 minute secure flight. All this not considering the inconvenience and expenses incurred by the detached everyday 'austere' passengers. Maybe those co-passengers should have exhibited thir austeity by travelling by bus, and the bus travellers....and so on and so on....

Austerity is also relative to the surroundings and thus not the same for everyone. I've said this before - being simple (austere) could be far more complicated than being complicated. A vegetarian in Africa pays much more and complicates life - yet being vegetarian is perceived as being austere. In Hindu mythology, Sudama, Krishna's austere friend would have flummoxed everyone offerng the 'austere' meal of Poha(puffed rice) in an African scenario - the very simple Poha is far more expensive than most other luxury items in an Indian Supermarket here.
And of course we have our wonderful media that loves controversy - 40 austerity debates - have literaly pushed public figures to clandestinely do normal things and will eventually crucify honest politicians like Tharoor. He recently twitted that he was more comfortable in his politician's collarless outfit (garb devoid of a collar and noose (neck tie) ......and I wondered.. whether the necktie was far less dangerous than the news (noose) media that his political garb attracted?
His latest twit on austerity concerning the 'economy class' seems to have tickled his party. It will be the literary worlds loss if a party whip silences his twitting by 'ordering' him to be 'austere' with his words too. The theory of relativity led to the creation of an atomic bomb. What bomb will this 'austerity' theory develop into?
Post Script : At the time of posting this I just read the hype that NDTV has made of the Tharoor issue..... The Congress party messages are being broadcast... their distaste at his mention of the holy cows.... the media criticizes Rahul for his security lapse ....... the media rules... and is winding up the timer on a bomb!