Poems from the forthcoming collection of a mining agent-II As a newly anointed ‘mining agent’ , I would be dedicating a series of numerous poems (they come so easily to me since my childhood, like salivation or urination…) to miners of Goa whom people love to hate..or hate to love depending on attitudes or agendas-indigenous or exotic..
My new poem is suitably titled -“ Chess Guevara” (This poem is dedicated to eminent social worker, young and dynamic patron of sports, arts and handicrafts-Mr. Samir Anil Salgaonkar. Obviously, like others in the legal business, he did not see any ‘conflict of interests’ in operating his family inherited mining business in Goa and patronage of Chess with liberal sponsorships. His associates also did not subject him to a neoinquisition on his stand on local mining, environmental issues. As a Congressman Samir may not have visited tribal areas where Naxalite pestilence has spread to promote the game of Chess but if he takes inspiration from the life and works of Chess Guevara then An All India Naxalite Chess festival is possible ( why not organize it at Sundargarh, orissa? there are people who have frequently visited this place from Goa before they developed cold feet to stand up and say proudly that they are indeed naxalites) with presence of the new “bandit queen” to preside over (Salgaonkar sponsored) prize distribution function followed by a salute of 21 rounds of AK-56 machineguns smuggled from Nepal. Obviously Samir would succeed in arranging a total surrender of arms and would be the first miner in the world to end Naxalism by promoting the wonderful, peaceful addictive game of Chess. Best of luck Samir in this mission. We are with you….) Chess Guevara Samir I know you and your interests But you know nothing about me, I have left the dark Columbian forests far behind There are no diaries left now I dumped them in cold waters of Lake Titicaca I see in the litter of memories , hidden... Only exoskeletons of rusting motorcycles I abandoned myself in pursuit of the king of the games And the game of the kings I put down the gun and lifted the pawn I was reborn in my new avatara… I am Chess Guevara, Samir My life has become An eight by eight chessboard Where I make all the moves I am mover but not a shaker yet But I get shaken now and then When I discover miners and their agents Spoiling my moves, my game Mentally I have had a game with Che, with Fidel But I am still an infidel To the cause of revolution Which is coming, which is coming >From the hungry bowels of tribal belt The final move against my own belching democracy My condemned state down with indigestion The much waited endgame The checkmate! Yes, Samir it was good that we met Before the Cheque-mate I was touched by your hospitality I was moved by your generosity Your grace and charm It moved me Life is a movement Against stagnation, stagflation Miner is the king, agent is a pawn Whose moves first and whose moves last? Who stands stripped and who stands attired? Samir, I am tired Tired of your democracy of , by and for Wealthy miners like you It affects my name It affects my game I am Chess Guevara Don’t you see the conflict of interest What a shame, Samir, what a shame! -- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA