Tiguna Lagaan..

Many years back, in a faraway kingdom, the king called his set of ‘navratnas – 9 ministers with diverse disciplines’ to brainstorm on increasing the revenues as the kingdom was going through a financial crisis. After a while, a meeting was called to deliberate on the agri-income as it was the most flourishing business in the last few years. A team comprising of a few farmers was called for the meeting. A few excerpts of the meeting –

Navratna 1 (Treasurer) – We want to impose a double tax on agri-income this year to increase the revenues.

Farmer (the most seasoned from the team who was also the representative of the team) – My holy lord, we will be happy to contribute to our motherland to the best of our abilities.

While there was anxiety amidst the farmers due to the inimical conditions faced by them too, they believed that the counsel of navratnas would lead them to a better direction.

Navratna 2 (Painter) – I feel that the crops should have different colors like the spectrum of a rainbow which is so visually appealing.

Farmer representative (slightly lost in his thoughts) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 2 took a brush with his color palette and canvas and drew a field that had different smears.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers while the farmers looked bemused.

Navratna 3 (Musician) – I feel that the thing that is missing is the harmony in the field. We need to plant 7 different types of crops in a season which will be in harmony to each other like the seven notes in music that forms the basis to any song.

Farmer representative (slightly lost in his thoughts) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 3 played his musical instrument in a deft manner.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers for the melodious note while the farmers looked distracted between the harmony of the song and harmony of the crops.

Navratna 4 (Dancer) – I feel that the thing that is missing is the rhythm in the fields. The crops should whirl in different moves as the wind blows which will make it healthy like a healthy body that twirls around as per the different beats.

Farmer representative (with a perplexed look) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 4 showed a glimpse of his lithe moves to the beats that were played.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers for the dance while the farmers joined their representative with a perplexed look.

Navratna 5 (Sculptor) – I think that the thing that is missing is the standardization of the scarecrow. As we say, one for all and all for one. It will also lead to better economies of scale.

Farmer representative (unable to hide his troubled look) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 5 showed a design of the sculptor that looked like a celestial nymph. The rationale given was that instead of a scary looking figure, one needs to induce beauty.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers who were mesmerized by the looks of the sculpture and wished it comes to life while the farmers stared at their new souten.

Navratna 6 (Martial Arts specialist) – I think that we need to bring strength and flexibility to your languid frames. This will increase your productivity as you will be able to do more in less time.

Farmer representative (with a self-demeaning look on his slender frame) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 6 showed a glimpse of his lightening karate chops which were to symbolize how the farmers can cut the crops.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers who looked smitten by the display of the skills while the farmers looked their fragile frames with a plagued expression.

Navratna 7 (Master Chef) – I think that we need to have a few crops across all seasons. For eg., our king likes the king of fruits, mango, but we do not get to savor it in winters.

Farmer representative (with a self-demeaning look on his slender frame) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 7 said that if a thing has to qualify to be termed as a king then it cannot be as per the seasons and hence, mango should be grown across all seasons.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers for the wonderful logic while the farmers couldn’t muster up the courage to share the ill in the logic.

Navratna 8 (Poet) – I think that we need to expose our famers to different ‘rasas: Shringar, Veer, Hasya, adbhut etc.’ that will motivate them to increase their productivity.

Farmer representative (drowned already in rudra rasa) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Hey Dhartiputra! Tujhe Apna karz chukana hai,

Dharti Uglegi Sona, Bas tujhe hal thoda aur chalana hai.

There was applause and concurrence by the noble ministers for the motivational quatrain by Navratna 8 while the farmers tried hard to ensure that their blood pressure doesn’t shoot up in proportion.

Navratna 9 (Spiritual Guru) – I think that the final destination is the embrace of the almighty. Irrespective whatever you do, the end result will always be as per the likes of the almighty.

Farmer representative (frantically hoping for some respite now) – My holy lord, please guide on how we can do it.

Navratna 9 closed his eyes and asked everyone to do the same and chant to the almighty.

As the entire courtroom draped in divine envelope, the farmers for the first time in this meeting prayed desperately for a reprieve.

Navratna 1 (Treasurer) – Wow! We had an amazing meeting and I believe that the farmers would feel themselves to be extremely fortunate to be the recipient of such a knowledgeable counsel. I am already beaming in anticipation of a luxurious growth that I am tempted to impose a triple tax, however, as a special consideration; we will only impose double tax this time.

All the navratnas looked buoyed and radiant as they were able to share fruitful thoughts towards a field where they had zilch experience.

The farmers bowed and moved out of the courtroom. As they dragged their tired bodies and fatigued minds towards their fields, one of the young farmers asked: Dada, tiguna lagaan dena hai ya cricket match khelna hai? :)

Disclaimer – The above views expressed are not meant to offend anyone and for entertainment purpose only. This should not be linked to any corporate/public meetings. ;)

#LifeLessons #Meetings #Wisdom