The World-Class Physicians of the River !

 The World-Class Physicians of the River !

In one of the grand meetings of the darbar, the king rose with glittering ambition: “Our kingdom shall be the wealthiest in the world!” The courtiers applauded, though their minds whispered of limited resources and impossible dreams.

Then, a wise courtman stood and spoke: “Majesty, I have heard it said — Health is Wealth. If our subjects are healthy, we shall indeed be wealthy. Let us produce world-class physicians, chosen from the most intelligent minds of our land. Train them well, and soon the world shall salute us.”

The phrase “world class” rang like music in the king’s ears. He praised the wisdom, the courtiers saluted, and the darbar swelled with pride.

But then came the question: How to select these brilliant minds?

After marathon discussions, the experts presented their plan. A “Test” would be conducted. Aspirants would gather on the riverbank, each to pick a stone from the heap and hurl it into the flowing waters. In a tower nearby, an assessor armed with the most advanced digital distometer would measure the distance of each throw. The candidate who hurls the stone the farthest would be selected for training as a physician.

The king was dazzled. The courtiers clapped. The technology was praised as “state of the art.” Rules and regulations were drafted, approved, and the test was conducted. Many hailed it as innovative, fair, and modern.

Yet faint voices rose: some candidates had heavier stones, others lighter ones, tilting the chances. Some whispered that the assessors manipulated the readings on the digital distometer. But these voices were so weak that they disappeared into the air.

A few voices dared to speak boldly: “Your Majesty, throwing stones measures only arms, not minds. A frail but brilliant student may cure fevers, though he cannot hurl rocks.”

The king thundered in reply: “Silence! The sacred river shall decide who heals the kingdom. Let the distometer record their destiny!”

And so it was decreed. The kingdom’s future physicians were chosen not by wisdom, compassion, or skill, but by the distance of stones hurled into the river and recorded on the distometer.

The darbar rejoiced, the king proclaimed progress, and the people waited — unaware that their health now rested on the strength of arms rather than the strength of minds.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune, June 7, 2026

Author of “Value-Based Leadership” mvingale2405@gmail.com

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