A magic wand has just now come into my possession. It allows the possessor to move forward or back in time, move anywhere in the present, assume any physical form he/she wishes, and be invisible if he/she wishes. It belonged to a good genie, and so it can be shared with anybody by any possessor of the magic wand. Freeware, in today’s lingo. No IPR.

But it comes with some conditions for its successful use. Before using its power, a special “mantra” is to be recited without error, and again recited to come out of its power. The “mantra” for its use will be revealed further down.

Another condition of its use is that the user has to write down or record his/her experience. Failing to do so even once will make the magic wand useless to that user.

I am about to use the magic wand to transport myself into the prison cell of Fr. Stan Swamy to meet him. So here is the “mantra”, which is to be recited in full without making a single mistake – it is the Preamble to the Constitution of India. Here I go!

We the People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to ..... hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution. ..... POOF!

***

Fr.Stan Swamy (FSS): Who are you? How did you get into this high security Taloja prison? Why have you come here?

Me (SGV): I am not at liberty to reveal my identity, and you may not believe me, but I used a magic wand to get here and I have come to meet you.

FSS: Magic wand! Ha! But why me?

SGV: I read somewhere that you need a sipper or straw to drink water, and that the prison authorities cannot provide you with one without the permission of some bureaucrat or NIA official. Are they denying you a straw because you may commit suicide using it?

FSS: What rubbish! Commit suicide? Me?! Using a sipper or straw?!

SGV: Actually, I was so excited using the magic wand for the first time – you do believe me when I say I came here using a magic wand, don’t you? – that I forgot to put it in my pocket to bring it to you.

FSS: Never mind that you forgot to bring it. The prison authorities did not provide me a sipper or straw and I had to seek the help of the Court. It is strange that the NIA – the people who accuse me of being Maoist and charge me under UAPA – told the Court that they do not have a sipper or straw ... But anyway, my cell-mates and others are so helpful to me. They assist me in so many ways, and I am so grateful to them for that.

SGV: Don’t you think it is cruel that an 83-year old man like you is denied a simple aid like ...

FSS: (interrupting) It is ignorance. I can think of Jesus on the cross saying: “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do”.

SGV: Are you angry with the government which has charged you as being a Maoist? By the way, is it true that you are a Maoist? You’re a Jesuit priest!

FSS: No, I am not angry. I feel sad that I have been taken away from the poor people whom I was trying to help. And no, I’m certainly not a Maoist, whatever that means. The charges against me are false. In fact, the advocates who are doing pro bono work to defend me are ...

SGV: Stan, I am in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll come again – using my magic wand – don’t scoff at it, please – and if there’s anything you need, just tell me and I’ll bring it for you, without forgetting it like I did this time.

FSS: There’s nothing that I need that you can bring ... by the way, what’s your name?

SGV: I told you that I am not at liberty to tell you that ...

FSS: Oh, okay! But to continue, I only want justice, and I’m pretty certain that you cannot get me that even with your silly magic wand.

SGV: We the People of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to ..... hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution. ..... POOF!

Major General S.G.Vombatkere is retired from the Indian Army

Stan Swamy: The oldest person to be accused of terrorism in India - BBC News