Cotton Farmers - Tolstoy and Indian government

Tolstoy writings on civil disobedience and non violence carry an unforgettable comment - "I sit on a man's back, choking him, and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by any means possible, except getting off his back." This is now the relationship between the Indian government and Indian farmers as the ministers make flying visits to cotton farming areas of Vidarbha and flood hit areas of India, professing great concern for cotton farmers and their problems and releasing press notes on farmer suicides.

Indian Farmer and Emperor's New Clothes

Many years ago, there lived an emperor, who loved beautiful new clothes so much that, he spent all his money, on being finely dressed. His only interest, was in going to the theater or in riding about in his carriage, where he could show off his new clothes. He had a different costume, for every hour of the day. Indeed, where it was said of other kings that they were at court, it could only be said of him that he was in his dressing room!One day, two swindlers came to the emperor's city. They said that they were weavers, claiming, that they knew, how to make the finest cloth imaginable. Not only were the colors and the patterns extraordinarily beautiful, but in addition, this material had the amazing property, that it was to be invisible, to anyone who was incompetent or stupid ." It would be wonderful, to have clothes made from that cloth," thought the emperor. "Then I would know, which of my men, are unfit for their positions, and I'd also be able to tell clever people from stupid ones." So he immediately gave the two swindlers a great sum of money to weave their cloth for him.They set up their looms, and pretended to go to work, although there was nothing at all, on the looms. They asked for the finest silk and the purest gold, all of which they hid away, continuing to work on the empty looms, often late into the night....The Indian farmer is also having his wonderful clothes, stitched by master weavers. Read more ....