The promising pathways to prosperity.

Recently, a friend sought career advice and asked me what could guarantee a promising future in our country. I suggested he works sincerely and with integrity in whatever career path aligns with his aptitude. However, the realistic answer to his question is both interestingly disappointing for some and appealing to others - appealing in the sense that the system relatively effortlessly offers promising careers, but disappointing because some people in our society rightly detest these often-taken paths to prosperity.

In societies like ours, doing something productive is hardly as profitable as undoing things: laws, consciousness, truth, moralities and humanistic values. This is partially because the existing system offers various improvised ways of prosperity with relatively low or no effort and investment. If you are part of or linked to one or more of the ventures - military, mullah, judiciary, bureaucracy, feudal and politics - congratulations! You have a prosperous life sustainable for generations. This is because most people manning them hold the Delphian patent on the institutions and are prima facie above any canon of laws - legal, constitutional, religious, ethical, conscious and moral. They metaphorically sit above the law.

Are these the only paths to glory? Don't worry. There are many other and more economical ones. Are you a crooked merchant of your conscience, pen, public trust, education, health, and, of course, truth? If yes, kudos!

Still nowhere there? Don't lose hope; you still have a chance to shine. That's by being a sycophant and henchman. For that, you won't need to do something: all you need to do is undo your remorse and sense and mumble the hymn of your master(s). Also, being a skilled carrier promises a promising career. If you know the art of carrying bags and baggage of the 'respectable and prominent', you master a lucrative key to success in our society. However, career growth depends on the quality of services to your masters: the more efficient the services, the richer glances would befall you.

If you know nothing except being equipped with satanic and kleptocratic skills, you are rightly positioned to be bestowed with priceless rewards. For you are...