Our economy is under stress
And our politics is in a mess.
We could do with good advice
And so I think it's very nice
This evening has been organised
So that we can be well advised.
Now Nature's Basket by design
Was meant to bring all that's fine
In terms of food as well as wine
Everything one needs to dine
From everywhere that one can think.
So do enjoy the food and drink.
We have more than two dozen stores
And very soon we will have scores.
As smaller towns begin to thrive
More Nature's Baskets will arrive.
We have food for all the courses
As well as garnishes and sauces.
We bring to you the very best
Of cuisines from East and West.
We have events of show and tell
To ensure that you eat well.
Of course we'd like you to savour
Every different kind of flavour.
But I think you'll also find
We always have your health in mind.
But when it comes to food for thought
Good advice should be sought.
For you we have a perfect deal
The preparer of our thoughtful meal
Is both a historian and a diplomat
And I'm very certain that
Pavan's knowledge of the present scene
And his historic perspective has been
Brought to bear and so we'll hear
An exposition that's very clear
On Chanakya's take on our present woes.
I'm curious to see how it goes.
Now Dhana Nanda must regret
The gratuitous insult that then set
Chanakya on his vengeance plan.
He needed to find a noble man.
One day on his search he found
A youngster who was very sound,
A leader of his tiny band
And master of gestures that are grand.
When Chanakya asked him for some alms
He generously spread his palms
And offered him a herd of cows.
What kind of youngster endows
An unknown supplicant with a herd
That he doesn't own? It sounds absurd!
But Chanakya found the young man stunning
For generosity and for cunning.
He took the young man under his wing
And in due course he could bring
The precocious boy to the throne
And in the process he could hone
His politico- economic skills.
This story invariably thrills
All who read it. India's first empire
Never ever fails to inspire.
For Chandragupta stood very tall
And Chanakya taught him all.
And in good time when he retired
His experiences then inspired
Him to write the Arthashastra
Which we should try to master.
Now Pavan Varma has done that.
In fact I'm sure he knows it pat.
And interestingly he will try
All his learnings to apply
To our present situation.
Is their hope for our nation?
Can Chanakya show the way?
Can we still save the day?
Can we learn from India's sage?
Can we restore the Gupta age?
