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[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu 📱 4/4 THE DIGITAL ERA: Today, freebies are electronic. From India’s intense "Revdi Culture" debates (where parties compete using free laptops, appliances, and gold) to global Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) injecting cash into voter bank accounts right before election day.

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu @svembu - while I’d love to concur let’s ensure we give credit where credit is due.. as they say in Tamil.. our boys came late although they are certainly latest in their sophistication.. they were not the OGs by any stretch.. here is the chronological list (AI gen of course)

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu 🇺🇸 3/4 MACHINE POLITICS (1800s): The Industrial Era introduced systemized "Machine Politics" like Tammany Hall. Instead of direct legal cash, politicians bought loyalty using community freebies: distributing free coal, holiday turkeys, paying rent, and giving municipal jobs

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu 🪵 2/4 COLONIAL AMERICA (1758): Yes, George Washington did it. After losing an election in 1755 for refusing to buy voters drinks, he adjusted. In 1758, his campaign handed out 144 gallons of rum, punch, cider, and beer to 391 voters—nearly half a gallon per voter. He won

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu 🏛️ 1/4 ANCIENT ROME (123 BCE): Roman elites used "ambitus" (direct bribery) to secure office. In 123 BCE, Gaius Gracchus institutionalized the "Cura Annonae"—state-funded free grain doles. Birthed the concept of "Bread & Circuses" giving short-term material gifts over governance.

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@svembu I guess you can’t avoid the diversity of ‘perspectives’ once it’s on social media @svembu. My takeaway: almost every culture is comfortable in conducting business in their national attire or formal attire specific to that region… veshti is that for Tamil Nadu. Simple enuf.

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@palkisu https://t.co/UI5KB2KlpI amazing ambience too.. it is a classical Banglow converted into a restaurant so really charming place

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@palkisu @palkisu try Patti Veedu or Hamsa both serve fantastic food in a one of a kind setting… Patti Veedu is you are short on time and want to try some epicurean South Indian food all served in a set menu so you don’t have to pick and choose

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Awesome 🙌 trip from all accounts. Thank u so much NWC staff for making it so memorable for the kid!! 🥂🥂

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Stunning views……🥰

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Loving Mr Taylor’s commentary! 😀

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Shout out to the staff for getting such awesome live action shots of the girls skiing 🎿… #camerawork

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Amazing to see all their lovely smiles 😀

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki … Terrazza looks quite appetising after all that skiings 😉

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Shoutout to the NWC staff for getting the girls to the resort in full cheer and to the girls for the gleaming grins.. 🎿 ☺️

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NwcSki Have an awesome time 😀😀🎿🎿🚠⛷️

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@NWC_trips Girls and the stunning scenery look wonderful! Enjoy!

[S @Shreyas_chak]

GOAT ⚽️⚽️⚽️🥇🇦🇷
Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time – and like Maradona he will stop at nothing to win World Cup https://t.co/SCZz9As3M6

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@elonmusk when is the Model Y coming to U.K.? #cantwait #takingtoolong

[S @Shreyas_chak]

@nramind Has the Hindu stopped writing good articles?