Short fiction: Riddled with debt, a farmer urges the PM to change the formula for compound interest

Date: 9 August, 20-whatever
At your service,
Respected Prime Minister Sir,
Government of India,
The Prime Minister’s Office,
North Block, New Delhi – 110001.

Your Excellency,

I, Rajesh Kushwaha, of India, am not a city dweller, but a villager. Sir, it is a matter of great pride that I am being able to come face-to-face with my country’s prime minister. I am certain that my grievances will be looked into. Please accept my apologies for saying such disappointing things at the beginning of my letter – I have no choice and no other way. My father wants a tractor to appear at our doorstep within the first fortnight of the month of Sawan. This has taken up six months of our time. I teach Geography to class ten students at a private school in a town. The bank manager there has given me an afternoon appointment today. Besides, the village chief, along with numerous moneylenders, has never left our side. I do not mind speaking with these moneylenders as long as our work is done.

Sir, I would like to clarify that I am not mocking your esteemed position by addressing you directly, as one is likely to believe. In a slow-moving country like India, I am aware...

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