What Bhutan learnt 'not to do' from Indian Parliament

It is the last day of the Monsoon session in the Parliament that started on August 11, but things at the Parliament haven't budged an inch. Thanks to the logjams and the 'protests' by the opposition that have disrupted almost all the sessions. With all Bhutanese eyes on us and how we run the democracy, India certainly has drawn a sorry face.

Dear Bhutan, if you still haven't had enough, wait for this one day before you realised you never went forward from the place where you started. But of course, we cannot negate the 'contribution' that our democracy may have had on you, especially the influence that our politicians had on you (PS: never go by what you saw here and never tell others!).

Reading Ansari, the mocking bird

When Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari's requests did not work, he took to sarcasm in the veil of welcoming the Bhutanese delegates.

"I take pleasure in extending a hearty welcome to the leader and other members of the (Bhutanes) delegation and to wish our distinguished guests an enjoyable and fruitful stay in our country. We hope that during their stay here they would be able to see and learn more about our parliamentary system," he said.

[Read: BJP to mount spirited counter attack on Cong in Parliament ]

Followed by peals of laughter and a few remarks in defence, the smile on the Bhutanese faces were not missed. Certainly, they knew what not to do.

Parliament disrupted, taxpayer's loss

It hangs our head in shame when we did our math on how much may the taxpayer have lost after three non-functioning days of Parliament. Given the total working days of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, it has been calculated that each minute of loss accounts for Rs. 29,000.

[Read: BJP protests over disruption of parliament]

In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-himself said,"People have huge expectations from MPs and Parliament."

Despite being aware of the losses incurred, the leaders of the Congress refuse to relent, citing that it is for a greater cause. Even when the BJP offered a discussion, the Congress stood fast saying that resignations over the Vyapam scam were mandatory for the smooth functioning of the government.

The truth about democracy

It is a rude reality, but dear delegates, it is as important for you to learn and remember them. Should you have to run a democracy, ensure that you do not do these:

1. Name calling and throwing things: The Parliament sessions go berserk once there are arguments. Not willing to listen to each other, parties are known to have hurled things at each other-be it money, chair, or diaries. Bill boards and hoardings have also been good props in the hands of angry politicians.

Name calling is something that is common. Sushma Swaraj's jibe at Sonia-Rahul leadership as 'Ma-beteka rajya' did not go down too with the critics either. Forget, what came from the other side.

2. Criminals on the bench: Perhaps India is the only country, which is run by criminals. According to International Business Times, 186 Indian members have criminal cases against them, including murder and rape. And the numbers are increasing. In 2009, Lok Sabha elections, the figures showed 158 members having criminal charges and functioning out of the Parliament.

3. Escapism: Be it controversies or scams, politicians have learnt to laugh it off in the Parliament. And if cornered, they shout at the top of your voices so that they don't have to listen. Banning the parliament is the best way to get rid of a tight situation. Media conscious, the politicians take their own words dearly and do not answer 'true-to-the-fact' questions. One never knows how the media will react.

Now that you know what not to do for a democracy, dear Bhutan delegates, go back and learn from our mistakes.