Book Extract : ‘The Boy Who Fought An Empire’ – A Play For Children By Rajesh Talwar

SCENE 3

As we mark the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23rd, Rajesh Talwar, former UN official current consultant, lawyer, and best-selling author comes out with his new riveting playwright for children that teaches standing up against bullies, ‘The Boy Who Fought the Empire’ . A play that seeks to inform children, and have them meaningfully engage with the fascinating boyhood, adult, and mature years of the person who became known as ‘Netaji.’

The Boy Who Fought the Empire is a compelling and enlightening playwright featuring five schoolchildren, to bring Netaji’s life to light.

Excerpt: Pg 16-19

Kalyan: Look there Subhash! There is a person approaching that group. He is dressed in orange robes, and looks to be a spiritual leader or a holy man. I think those people may have come to meet him here in the park.
Subhash: Or perhaps he has come to meet them?
Kalyan: He has a long white beard, and looks to be quite old. But his posture is straight.
Subhash: He must be at least ninety years by the
look of it. At that age, he must know so much.15 He looks impressive even from this distance.
Kalyan: Should we go up to him and seek his advice?
Subhash: That’s an excellent idea. Let’s do that.

Meanwhile, a small queue of devotees has formed in front of the holy man. People are going up to him, touching his feet and seeking his blessings. After he has blessed them and spoken a few words to each devotee, they move on. Subhash and Kalyan join the queue.
Swami: May you be blessed. First Devotee: Thank you, Maharaj! Swami: May you be blessed! Second Devotee: Thank you, O Swami ji!
The Swami notices Subhash and Kalyan

Swami: Young boys have also come! I am surprised and pleased to see you.

Subhash and Kalyan touch the Swami’s feet

Swami: May you be blessed!
Subhash: Thank you. Swami ji, we have an
important question to ask you.
Swami: (smiles) An important question? Go ahead, my children. Ask me? What is it that you wish to know?
Subhash: What is it that we should do with
our lives, Swami ji? What will give us meaning and purpose in life?
Swami: You are both sincere, and have a questioning mind. (pause) Considering your age, I have a few suggestions for you. If you follow my advice, meaning and purpose will come to you by and by.
Kalyan: Yes, Swami ji. What is your advice?
Swami: My first suggestion is for the two of you to turn vegetarian, if you are not so already. Should we be killing animals just because of our food requirements when alternative sources of food are readily available. I exhort you to eat neither fish, nor flesh nor eggs.16 Food is available in the form of vegetables, fruits and so on. Isn’t it?
Kalyan: Yes, Swami ji.
Subhash: Swami ji, I enjoy eating fish sometimes.17
However from now on I will now stop eating fish and be pure vegetarian.
Swami: Excellent. The second thing is exercise. You need to keep your body fit. I suggest that you boys do yoga every day.
Subhash: Yes, Swami ji.
Swami: There are also certain religious hymns both of you should recite every morning.
Subhash: What hymns, Swami ji?
Swami: (takes out two small booklets from a box kept besides him and gives it to the boys) The hymns are all written down in this booklet, as are my teachings.18 Memorise the hymns and recite them every morning. (pause) Can you do that?
Kalyan: Most certainly, Swami ji.
Subhash: Yes, Swami ji.
Swami: My final word of advice for both of you is that you must touch your father’s and mother’s feet every morning.
Subhash: (reluctant) Is that so important, Swami
ji?19
Swami: Yes, it is.
Subhash: (after some hesitation) If you say so,
Swami ji. All right, we can do that.
Kalyan: Surely, we will do that, Swami ji.
Swami: You both have my blessings. If you do these few things, you will evolve spiritually. I can assure you of that.

Both boys touch the swami’s feet.
Lights fade and the stage darkens.

(Extracted with permission from the author and the publisher Ponytale Books)