"We need to think through before we spend this 2 crores" - said Manian. "I want to spend it on education"

"Yes sir.." - said his PA. For no reason, picture of a motorbike came to his mind. This is an opportunity for his dream to become reality. If properly channeled, this money can make him own a motorbike. After all he has put in so mch of time with Manian, the MLA of the opposition party. And this 2 crores is MLA's fund.

"Why not we give educational assistance to poor people who are availing higher education..?"- said Manian.

"You are right Sir.." - said his PA. After a pause, he continued "Sir.. but what is the benefit for us..?"

"It will flash in all papers, television etc.." - manian said "We will spend part of it on media also to provide enough exposure to it".

"That is right Sir" - said his PA. He has learnt one habit in the last ten years of association with Manian. That is to always say "Yes Sir" to begin with. Any negative point has to follow that hesitatingly.

"But.." - his PA stammered "We don't get any financial benefit in it Sir.. It is actually difficult to get back money if the money changes hands in this way. We should also look for direct cash benefit apart from publicity benefit"

"Hmm.." - said Manian "I understand.. You are right. Atleast I should get 20-25% in cash-back. The remaining 75% should get me some publicity."

"Sir.. why not build a class-room in a school or portion of a building..? Your brother-in-law can get the contract to execute it. Money will circulate amongst us.." - Manian's PA said.

"But that will not gather much publicity. It will be very limited. It is not worth 2 crores" - said the Manian.

"What if u do it in a village of your constituency sir..? It will help us for re-election.." - PA replied.

"No.. No.. who is voting with all these track record now-a-days. People vote based on some trivial matter not related to their life or some perception belted out by media. Trust in leaders or confidence in policies does not exist these days. So forget it. In fact the educational assistance idea is more powerful" - Manian said.

"But Sir.. that does not have money. Also it is once done and people will forget forever. We need to do something that lasts in memory of people for sometime.." - said the PA.

****************
The telephone rang. Manian's PA answered.

"Yes sir.." - he said on the phone in all humbleness. "Yes sir.." - he repeated it 3-4 times intermittently.

After the PA placed the phone, Manian asked "What is it..?"

"Sir.. it was the call of the PA of our leader. He wanted you to issue a statement in your name"- said the PA.

"Regarding what..?" - asked manian.

"About online futures trading of commodities" -said the PA. "He wants you to issue a statement opposing it. He will also send the text of the statement for your records and reference"

"What on earth is this online futures trading..?" - asked Manian.

"Sir.. government has allowed people to trade virtual commodity in commodity market like shares. It is like gambling. They do it in foreign countries. So government has allowed it here also. We are opposing it" - said the PA.

"Sure..Sure.. " -said Manian " We oppose gambling in this state. That's why I located my gambling club at Pondicherry. There gambling is permitted"

"Yes Sir.." - said the PA "It is not about gambling. Because of online trading, food prices are rising. In foreign countries, big farmers produce huge quantities of food items, for which they need price guarantee. Wholesale traders give the price guarantee and trade them further to de-risk their holdings. This way farmer gets price guarantee, while trader de-risks his investment to certain extent. It provides some price stability".

"Oh.. is it so..? " - asked Manian "then why are we opposing..?"

"Sir.. In India we have majority of small farmers only who produce small quantities of food items. The traders aggregate the food stock and trade it in the commodity market. Combining speculation, they hijack the food prices for their own benefit. And the medium and small farmers do not get any direct price guarantee. Benefits are all taken off by middle-men." - said the PA. "We may need a commodity market in a way that cuts down the distance between producer and consumer so that benefits reach the producer.".

"Uff.. this much technicality is there in it.." - asked Manian "any way you release the statement to press. And give me some key lines to be repeated to press, if questioned. But I get one idea from this push and pull. Let me think more on it."

***********
Manian kept on thinking about the problem of 2 crores. Suddenly the day's newspaper caught his eye.

"What is this. So many film stars and political leaders are watching cricket..? " - asked Manian. "With which country we are playing ..?"

"Sir.. it is DLF Indian premier league cricket match. During summer, it is a form of entertainment Sir combining cricket, glamour and politics. Foreign and Indian players play between the states of India" - said the PA.

Manian's face brightened up. "I think I have an idea on 2 crores" - he said. "We should do something entertaining on education. Some Entertainment stuff"

"Sir.. what does that mean..?" - asked the PA. "Entertainment Sir…?" - asked the PA, totally confused.

"What is the basic principle in this Cricket, did u understand..? Initially Cricket was promoted as a sport. To grab higher market and money they made it as a mechanism of National Integration. Now to gain further market and money from public, they have made it entertainment. Did u understand the business logic.?" - asked Manian.

"Yes Sir.." - said the PA "But No Sir.."

"Whom do u think is paying for this Cricket..? In every branded item you buy, there is a marketing expense part that goes into funding this event through advertisements and sponsorships. Cinema stars, Media and Politicians share this business proceeds. Entertainment is a good way to channelize money. Only, it has to be successful. " - Manian said.

Manian's PA kept quiet. He did not understand what Manian is talking.

"Understand this basic fact. In our country, everything has to be reduced to entertainment to succeed and make money. Be it Politics, Cricket, Industry or Agriculture. Everything has to be reduced to entertainment to make an impact. Other wise it does not grow. Already Politics and Cricket are simply entertainment." - said Manian smiling.

"Yes Sir.." - said the PA..

"Industry has its entertainment with Stock market where unbridled gambling and speculation is ruling the market. We have money in stock market, whether we have growth or not. Similarly now agriculture will have lot of money, whether vast majority of farmers get its benefit or not.. Do you understand?" - said Manian.

"Yes Sir.." - said the PA..

"Is it that government thought about the benefits of commodity market to farmers..? No. It is simply push and pull of interest groups that made this happen. But it has bought an element of entertainment into agriculture and then money. Let us make Education as an Entertainment. We will get lasting name and also good money" - said Manian.

"Yes Sir.." - said PA "What is your idea..?"

"Simple. Let us build a memorial or some entertaining exhibition for Higher education in a plot on ECR road. It should explain the importance of higher education to India with lot of details in a sci-fi way with laser shows and what not.. "- said Manian grinning to his ears. "We will get money and name as we have contributed towards awareness on importance of higher education"

"Great Sir " - said the PA "We should do it fast before the ruling party copies the idea and does it in every district headquarters"

-TBT