But that aside, as a reformer I see immense possibilities for the leather manufacturing sector. Here, Friedman’s insight that once a shoe is flung it cannot be retrieved and necessitates the buying of a new pair is significant. And if shoe-flinging catches on—a study by Morbid Stanley reveals a 500 per cent jump ever since a size 10 was thrown at George Bush—then some serious heel-clicking is called for. How do we make our shoes ‘thrower- friendly’? And how can we stay ahead of the global competition? Our R&D people will have to pull up their socks because the Chinese have already taken giant strides.
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Here I would like to assure everyone in the leather industry I will keep off all Keynesian concepts of state control. Incidentally, I ran my ideas through Soniaji. I even read to her Friedman’s take. His research shows how the used cycle tyre industry grew during the ’60s and ’70s when comrade Karat & Co burnt them copiously during torchlit processions....
I could go on but I have to stop before it pinches! And I must get back to campaigning. We have to win. If not the boot will be on Advaniji’s foot.
(As imagined by Ajith Pillai)
