"NOW WE have a Chief Minister who doesn't like cartoons," my friend, the activist and the pacifist in turn, declared pompously.
"True," I lamented.
"What a pity, in this land of great cartoonists - R.K. Laxman and Mario Miranda".
"Yes, cartoons have and will continue to be a part and parcel of life. Cartoons are the hallmark of satire and more importantly they have a message..."
"But these 'messages' are not always liked," I said: "Look at the way how a premier TV channel ridicules our simpleton Prime Minister...but he bears it with dignity. Why, even heads of other countries are satirized," I maintained.
"But you see," my friend replied, "the present Chief Minister of West Bengal is a tough nut to crack. Whenever any attempt is made to crack her she retaliates. That is how she broke the backbone of the Marxists and their mighty bastion".
"But," I pleaded. "Surely a Professor has more important things to do. He could have written, but he chose to be a cartoonist and a caricaturist!"
"This is freedom of expression my friend," he said. "Moreover, the Professor has said that he will continue to caricature".
"Look," I said excitedly, "why doesn't he start his blog of cartoons? This will give budding cartoonists a chance. There will be more R.K. Laxmans and Mario Mirandas...the great heritage of cartoons will be further countenanced. Premier TV channels will get more ideas for laughter".
My friend looked a little bored. "I think the present regime in West Bengal is trying hard and is successful. Look at how they threw out the central Railway Minister".
"Well, well," I said.
"Anyway, cartoons or no cartoons the esteemed Professor is going to have a tough time".
"What, tough time!" my friend exclaimed.
"Very soon he may join Team Anna who has become an object of caricature himself."
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