An open letter to Lalu Prasad Yadav

Dear Lalu ji,
I am sad to say that your advisors have got it all wrong. Or should I say you have got it all wrong.
I still cannot believe how an astute and imaginative politician like you could be misled.
Okay, before we get into the detail. First of all do accept my heartiest congratulations on the salary hike from Rs 16,000 to Rs 50,000.
I know you are not happy with the raise. But then who is? Ask me about it. I am waiting for a job that gives me a raise of just 1% every day.
Of course the Indian media has gone to town highlighting that members of parliament like you have got a hike of 300%. That's obviously all wrong.
But to tell you the truth, I never had a great regard for the mathematical skills of the Indian media. They tend to forget their basic math time and time again.
Your salary has gone up by Rs 34,000 (Rs 50,000 - Rs 16,000). Expressed in percentage terms this is an increase of 212.5% (Rs 34,000 expressed as a percentage of Rs 16,000) and not 300% as the media has been harping.
You will definitely agree that 212.5% is nowhere near 300% and that is gross misreporting of facts as they are.