Everyone is worried about it. The metrology experts have no plausible explanation. Concerned over it, the Prime Minister has directed the officers to chalk up contingency plans to tackle its adverse fallout. The Chief Minister too is confounded why the once regular monsoon is eluding the state. Along with the farmers, the contractors, suppliers and the departments entrusted to deal with floods are a worried lot. “We would be deprived from the gains of floods, if there are no rains,” an officer rued.

With a drought-like condition becoming a reality, the Chief Minister resolved to send a manned mission to the monsoon clouds to unravel the reasons behind the erratic rains. After exhaustive discussion with the top brass of the state, the Chief Minister finally decided that Hemen, who is known for his communication, managerial and manipulative skills, should lead the mission.

On a bright sunny morning the rocket carrying three-man crew blasted off. The take-off was perfect. However the crew had a torrid time in locating the monsoon clouds. The clouds which the manned mission met on the way refused to share the locations where the monsoon clouds are stationed. It became a wild goose chase for the manned mission. Try hard as they could, not a single speck of monsoon cloud beeped on the radar of the rocket. Not the one to give up easily, mission leader Hemen decided to explore the sky on the border areas of the state. In the east, north and the south the mission drew blank. Finally when the mission reached the western fringe, the point where the state is connected with the rest of the country, the radar started beeping. The mission members were elated. Just near the border check point a massive monsoon cloud hovered.

Hemen stopped the rocket and immediately established contact with the cloud. With a very polite tone he asked, “Why are you waiting near the border? Please come to our state and pour with all your might. Your prolonged absence has made our fields barren, the wells have gone dry and everyone is clamouring for water.”

“Well I too desperately want to maintain my routine and enter your state in a big way. But for some factors beyond my control I am increasingly finding it quite difficult to enter into your state,” the monsoon cloud cover replied in a morose tone.

“Don’t you worry,” Hemen reassured the cloud. “Share your problems with us so that we can find the solution.”

“In fact, I am quite perturbed to enter your state as there are numerous check gates dotting your state —both legal and illegal starting from the check gate on this border which, in fact, is the mother of all the gates. The high rate of entry tax has compelled me to change to my plans and stop at the border point itself.”

“Taxes are needed to augment the revenue of the state,” Hemen reasoned.

“But clouds can’t pay taxes,” the monsoon cloud retorted.

“Fair enough. Apart from taxes what are the other problems you are facing?” Hemen asked.

“Well, it is due to the bandh culture which is afflicting your state. It happened with us many a time. We get ready to pour, and all of a sudden we get the news that one of the numerous organizations of the state has given a bandh call. And tell me how we can pour during the bandh period.”

“I will take all the necessary steps to ensure that difficulties that you are facing are taken care of. I will request our Chief Minister to set up an expert committee in this regard. Till the committee files its report, I will personally organize rallies across the state in your honour.”

“Rallies in my honour!”

“Yes and the slogan ‘Monsoon come soon’ will rent the air!”

Manish Goswami