Maa-sa and I were discussing all the rituals that will happen in the morning until we heard an attendee’s voice,
“Maharani-sa, Maharaj, Kunwarsa Ratan, Raja Abhay, Guru Dhananand, and Guru Prakashanand want to have a meeting with you.”
I nodded at the attendee and left with Maa-sa’s permission.
As soon as I entered the meeting hall, everyone stood up, and I greeted them in return.
Guru Dhananand said,
“Are you aware of the matters, Katha?”
I shook my head as I wasn’t completely aware of the problem. He nodded, and Bhai-sa said, “Years ago, when our fathers had fixed your marriage, a treaty was signed that said,
‘Kundangarh will provide Vajrajanapur with enough pulses that will last around six months, according to the accounts. After the marriage of Princess Katha Singh with Crown Prince Mritunjay Rathore, the supply of pulses will be increased and should last around a year.’
Bapu-sa provided Vajrajanapur with pulses according to the mentioned amount till he was alive, and I did that too till last month. But, now the root cause lies in a sudden surge of pests affecting the pulse crops in Kundangarh.”
I was confused by Bhai-sa’s statement, so I decided to ask,
“But why now? I mean, you said that the pests are the root cause, but the problem of pests has been the same since I can remember, because even Guruji taught us about the crops in Kundangarh.”
“I know that the problem has been there since always, but this year the crops were badly harmed by the pests, more than ever. The pulses that remained after the chaos that the pests created were only enough for half of the people of Kundangarh.”
“But, if the issue was so vast, then why wasn’t there any talk about it in Kundangarh?”
“That’s because when we found out that the crops were ruined, it was your mehndi ceremony.”
I sighed, listening to Bhai-sa’s reason,
“But, Bhai-sa, did the pests do this much damage?”
“Yes, they did. It was more than before, and you couldn’t know about this because you have never been outside the palace, and the fields are far from the palace.”
I nodded at him, knowing that this was indeed the truth. I have never been outside the palace, as no one, not even Bhai-sa, allowed me to go out.
“There have been more problems like the financial ones since we couldn’t provide other kingdoms with the pulses; they have not given us the money as well, which, of course, wasn’t expected since there was no trade.”
I nodded, and Devarji-sa said,
“We have to find the solution to this problem, as it may arise in the future as well. The pulses that we have in our inventory are enough to last eight months, but after that, we will need some sources. This can’t go on in the future as except Kundangarh, no other Kingdom is close enough to provide us with pulses.”
Guru Dhananand proceeded, “We’ve been provided with suggestions like these,” and handed me the scroll with documented suggestions:
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SUGGESTIONS LIST FOR THE PEST TROUBLES
Suggestion 1 – Magical Crop Circles – This will help keep the pests magically away, and a ‘tantrik’ can be called for that.
Suggestion 2 – Loud Music to Scare Pests Away – Drummers, and other kinds of musicians can be called to play the music loudly so that the pests hear the music and run away from there.
Suggestion 3 – Hiring Professional Pest Communicators – This will be helpful when the ‘pest whisperers’ talk to the pests, asking them to go away.
Suggestion 4 – Decorating Fields with Reflective Surfaces – The usage of mirrors in fields can be helpful, as with reflection of sunlight in the mirror will confuse the pests, shooing them away.
Suggestion 5 – Hiring Crop Psychics – They can understand plant needs by talking to them and, in return, can help by keeping the plants safe from pests and regrowing them when the plants convey their individual needs.
Suggestion 6 – Building Tiny Protective Umbrellas for Each Plant – By giving each crop its own umbrella, it can save them not only from pests but from other problematic conditions.
——————————————————————————————
Rolling the scroll back, I incredulously asked, “Who came up with these suggestions?”
“Our ministers did.”, Bhai-sa and Hukum replied simultaneously, and I couldn’t understand how ministers could be this dumb. It baffled me how our ministers could propose such impractical ideas.
I came out of my thoughts when Guruji asked, “What are your thoughts on these suggestions, Katha?”
“Well, Guruji, first of all, I am not sorry to say that these suggestions are very dumb. I mean, how can ministers give such suggestions? These suggestions clearly sound like they are from some kids who love fantasy stories. These ideas of calling pest communicators, crop psychics, and umbrellas, that too tiny ones for each plant, not even kids would suggest such things. Plus, calling a ‘tantrik’ might harm the image of Kundangarh in front of other kingdoms. As for loud music, only humans will play that music; they can’t go on playing the music for months, and it will not only shoo the pests away but also harm the plants as well. About mirrors, I think that they will be expensive, and when the sunlight reflects on the plants through the mirrors, they will burn, as it is their nature.”
Everyone nodded in unison, and I continued,
“Since the crops in Kundangarh are not enough for everyone, we can contact other Kingdoms. In my opinion, Rudrapur, being the nearest, could provide us with the pulses for the time being. However, considering that this situation may arise in the future as well, I propose that we establish a ‘Joint agricultural task force.”
Everyone furrowed their eyebrows, and Hukum said,
“Katha, can you please elaborate?”
I nodded and continued,
“The task force would consist of seasoned agricultural experts, scientists, and researchers from both Kundangarh and Vajrajanapur, and other Kingdoms as well, only if necessary. They will do an in-depth analysis of the pest species and gather data on the extent of the pest infestation, crop health, and environmental factors influencing pest behavior. Using the collected data, the experts would tailor pest management strategies specific to the region, taking into account climate conditions, soil types, and crop varieties. The task force would oversee the implementation of short-term solutions like the introduction of natural repellents to protect the crops. Collaborative training programs can also be established to enhance the skills of local farmers.”
As soon as I finished, Guru Prakashanand, Hukum, and Devarji-sa looked at me like I was an alien. Whereas, Bhai-sa and Guru Dhananand looked at me like they always do, proudly.
“I have never heard these elaborate ideas from anyone in my entire life. You indeed are something, Maharani-sa.”, said Guru Prakashanand, and this time Hukum and Devarjisa’s mouths were left open hearing him. I wanted to chuckle, but it wasn’t the time.
I expressed my gratitude,
“Thank you, Guruji,” he nodded, and I moved my attention to Devarji-sa, who said,
“Since this is the best suggestion we have had. I suggest working on this suggestion only, and we can appoint a Head of this ‘Task Force’ who will conduct interviews, and look after the work, both financial and organizational.”
Everyone nodded at this, and again, Bhai-sa and Hukum said at the same time,
“We are not appointing any of the ministers as the Head.”
I almost chuckled at this, and these two gave each other the look of ‘What the hell?’.
“If I were to choose, I suggest Katha be chosen as the head because she is good at financial calculations and is well aware of where the scientists can be found that are needed for this team.”, said Guru Dhananand, and I saw Hukum nodding.
My attention was diverted when Guru Prakashanand said,
“That might be so, but I think we should ask the ministers of both kingdoms to vote because a poll is needed to choose the head of the team.”
I furrowed my eyebrows as somehow I felt that he wanted to keep me aside instead of going forward and working for the Kingdoms.
Hukum said, “That’s right, Guruji, but in this case, we all are aware of Katha’s efficiency in such matters. We’ve heard the idea that our ‘genius ministers’ gave us and I don’t think that their vote is necessary to choose for the head of the task force. If everyone sitting here is okay with it then we can proceed to make Katha the head.”
Guru Prakashanand nodded this time, and everyone agreed with the idea.
Hukum said, “So, it’s settled, tomorrow during Maharani-sa’s coronation, we will announce that Maharani Katha has been chosen as the head, and the task force creation will start soon.”
We all nodded. After some other discussions, everyone left, and I gave Hukum one last smile before turning on my heels and leaving for Maa-sa’s chamber.
