Take yesterday. It really was a "perfect day" - like in the Lou Reed song - for a CHILLUM, or two, or three, or four. But, for some strange reason to do with Republic Day, the viklang ganja dealer nearby got busted or whatever, and the chillums I was thirsting for never happened.
And let me tell you that my travels also took me to Amsterdam - read this post about that "trip" - and I know something about what QUALITY ganja-charas are all about. Nowhere in India do you get such great stuff to smoke.
My travels have also taken me repeatedly to the devbhoomi - to Haridwar, to Rishkesh, to Gangotri - and in these Holy places I have often encountered Holy Sadhus who, after learning that I was a journalist, would earnestly plead with me to tell the world that even they have problems getting the Holy Herb.
In Daulatabad-upon-the-Sea I intend to establish a city that will COMPETE with Amsterdam as far as QUALITY of ganja-charas is concerned. And I am sure lots and lots of sadhus will come visiting.
Our City Flag, of course, will be the Ganja Leaf against a white background - the white indicating that all nashas in this city will be sold in the White Market. No black market all all.
Our City Drink will be draught beer - and there will be many, many beergardens.
Our City Paan will contain two leaves of coca, too - to take on the Banarasi paan.
But there are lots and lots of other highs that will be freely sold - subject to Torts, of course. So, if you sell bad stuff and someone is injured in any way, you will have to financially compensate your victim. This will make all nasha dealers careful about the health of their customers.
Indeed, Chanakya's Arthashastra has a chapter on the regulation of drinking taverns - and there is an interesting proviso that says that if a traveller were to pass out in a tavern and his goods were to get stolen, the tavern-keeper would be liable. There must have been lots and lots of these taverns in ancient Takshashila and Pataliputra. Chanakya lists out the drinks that were sold - with a separate, and longer, list of IMPORTED drinks!
Among the other highs I have tried are MAGIC MUSHROOMS - and I recommend this to all. In India, you get them only in Kodaikanal. But they are legal in good ol' Amsterdam.
Then, there is ECSTASY - a pill that makes you feel the party is inside your head. It is also a great high - but the next day you might not feel too good. But, once in a while, this "party drug" can be used without too much physical harm. Tourists like parties - "rave parties" - and Ecstasy is their preferred drug, usually.
I also found another "designer drug" recently called MDMA - and had a great trip, without any ill-effects the next day.
So, in Daulatabad-upon-the-Sea, where we will live in a "private law society" and compete for tourists, all nashas will be openly sold. Hard "knowledge" about these nashas will also be made available - so that "informed choices" are made. Torts will apply - as mentioned earlier - if bad stuff is sold.
Now, let me conclude with a "thought experiment" I have often tried out on this issue - with great success.
Suppose I were to throw a party and invite lots of ordinary folk. And suppose that one table had all the alcohol - and the other table had all the "drugs": ganja-charas, cocaine, opium, heroin, magic mushrooms, mescaline, peyote, Ecstasy, MDMA... the works.
The question is: How many will try out all these?
Indeed, if you think things through, you will surely realise that VERY FEW will try these things - because this is RISKY BEHAVIOUR.
At most parties, most people do NOT get drunk. And that is how the story goes.
So, that's what life will be all about in Daulatabad-upon-the-Sea. And I hope you like the IDEA.
If you don't, if you are a Gandhian, or a fan of anna hazare, who whips people who drink alcohol in his little village, you need not come to our city. We don't really want people like you there.
NO PARTY-POOPERS, PLEASE!
Life is short.
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