THE vanquisher of the worlds, and conqueror of the continents, our victorious Khaqan Salamat appeared on projected balcony of his palace, and waved to a sea of cheering multitude. The starving men, women, and children in tatters on beholding his glowing face raised slogans: “Long live Khaqan Salamat, long live Khaqan Salamat.”
Khaqan Salamat learned over to a wise counsellor, and asked: “Why most of them are naked?”
The wise counsellor by the name of Wazir Aaqil replied: “King of the kings, they have no clothes to cover the skin over their bones.”
Khaqan Salamat glanced at the multitude, and asked: “Why do they appear sick, skinny, and feeble? Don’t they eat nutritious diet?”
Wazir Aaqil replied: “They have not eaten a proper meal in year.”
Khaqan Salamat felt surprised, and asked: “Then, on what fodder have they lived all these years?”
The wise counsellor smiled, and said: “From times immemorial they have lived on food for thought.”
Khaqan Salamat asked: “Who are they?”
Wazir Aaqil replied: “King of the kings, they are your ghareeb awam.”
“Oh! The famous ghareeb awam!” Khaqan Salamat asked: “Where do they live?”
The wise counsellor replied: “They live everywhere.”
“You answer is not convincing, Wazir Aaqil,” Khaqan Salamat felt annoyed, and said: “Only cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and mice live everywhere.”
“I beg to be pardoned, magnanimous forgiver?” Wazir Aaqil the wise said: “ghareeb awam live in slums, ruins, footpaths, abandoned dilapidated buildings, railway platforms, discarded bogies, and under the bridges.”
Khaqan Salamat asked: “Why don’t they live in villas, bungalows, flats, town houses, and apartments?”
Wazir Aaqil the wise replied: “They just can’t afford an abode.” Khaqan Salamat raised his hand, and waved at the cheering congregation of the ghareeb awam. Before leaving the balcony conqueror Khaqan Salamat said, “My dear ghareeb awam, soon I will provide you with roti, kapra, aur makan.”
Khaqan Salamat returned to the Darbar Hall. He appeared preoccupied with ghareeb awam. He settled on his takhi, and looked at the august gathering of his mathematicians, philosopher, thinkers, magicians, warlords, and financial and economic wizards, and asked: “Didn’t I take over this country on your explicit advice!”
The team of wise counsellors relied in one voice: “Yes, magnificent conqueror.”
“Of all multifarious promises I would like to fulfil my promise with ghareeb awam first.” Emperor Khaqan Salamat commanded, “God, and immediately arrange for roti, kapra, aur makan for the ghareeb awam.”
The team of wise counsellors looked at each other, but said nothing. “What keeps you muted, my wise advisors?” the magnificent conqueror asked.
The economic and financial advisor obediently suggested: “In order to provide roti, kaptra, aur makaan to ghareeb awam your warriors will have to first plunder the rich countries.”
“Economic might is mightier than the swords,” the historian among the advisors said: “Never think of incursions in financially though countries.”
“Then, we will have to beg and borrow from the rich countries,” The financial wizard said and added: “the treasury of this God forsaken country is empty.”
“You ought to have known this fact before advising me to take over this wretched country.” The conqueror Khaqan Salamat appeared displeased with his team of advisors. He said, “How on earth are we to provide a sea of ghareeb awam with promised roti, kapra, aur makan?”
Hush prevailed among the wise counsellors. They were at loss to offer a viable proposition to the conqueror Khaqan Salmat. Provision of roti, kapra aur makan to millions of ghareeb awam appeared an enigmatic task to the conqueror. The more he thought of ghareeb awam, the more he felt frustrated. Suddenly he rose to his feet, and drew sword. The wise counsellors trembled. He advanced towards them, and looked straight in their eyes. He pointed his sword at the political advisor, and asked: “Did you know before I took over, this country was infested with ghareeb awam?”
The political advisor trembled, and replied: “Yes, magnificent conqueror.”
The conqueror roared at him, and said: “Then why did you pushed me into the vicious circle of roti, kapra, aur makan?”
The advisor sank to his feet, and said: “Without ghareeb awam’s support you wouldn’t have become legitimate ruler of this country.”
“What, if we do not provide them with roti, kapra, aur makan?”
“Nothing would happen” Wazir Aaqil interrupted, and said: “The ghareeb awam all along have lived on food for thought.” Khaqan Salamat asked, “Are we self sufficient in food for thought?” Wazir Aaqil replied: “You, magnificent conqueror. We have overflowing food for thought stocked in our granaries.”
