An open letter to Emperor Ashoka

Respected King Ashoka, You were the pioneer king who despite being very cruel, had a change of heart and became one of the most benign, considerate and just king in Indian history. One of your earliest edicts was discovered at Girnar in Gujarat recently which had an advice: "Everywhere within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satyaputras, the Keralaputras, as far as Tamraparni and where the Greek king Antiochos rules, and among the kings who are neighbours of Antiochos, everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals".

And as if this was not enough, you added, "Along roads I have had banyan trees planted so that they can give shade to animals and men, and I have had mango groves planted. At intervals of eight //krosas//, I have had wells dug, rest houses built and in various places, I have had watering-places made for the use of animals and men. But these are but minor achievements. Such things to make the people happy have been done by former kings. I have done these things for this purpose, that the people might practice the Dhamma".

I hear so much about dharma of different kinds but edicts enunciated in 256 BC still remain a point of standard reference for inclusive development. In the last few weeks, lot of wonderful green lush avenue trees have been whispering in the ear of cool breeze that they are no surer of being left alive. You had, in fact, suggested that even if you were taking food, any news about conflicts or injustice to human or nature, actual or perceived, should be brought to your immediate notice. But news of this kind does not travel very far now days.

You will be glad to know that local communities are not against development process, they don't mind widening of the road if that is most essential. But should the road be widened on both the sides, is an innocent question they ask? They have an alternative plan by which a slide turn and expansion on one side can keep the avenue intact. In some other places, whole trees need to be uprooted and replanted. India has the capability but if needed. A Major Buddhist country can come to our rescue. China has developed planting grown up trees on avenues into an art form.

What do we do, Lord Ashoka? Who do we appeal to? Planting the trees, conserving life, watering points and care centres for human and animal were part of perhaps world's first civic charter. But rulers no more seek ideas from common people, else by now some solution would have been found to have development and conservation of nature. Assuming traffic moves slowly for a few miles, won't people bless the rulers for letting them look out of the window to see beautiful trees, birds, and places to relax under the shade? Why this rush, for what, for whom?

Assume that some rare mineral is found in the earth below the bungalow of governor or chief minister; will we just remove all the nearby settlements for excavating those minerals? Will Ashram Road be uprooted if oil is found underneath it?

I don't mind if negotiations are held with people living on the roadside so that they are persuaded to sell part of their land for expansion of the road; if that is must and has no alternative, without cutting trees. You will not be able to see the situation of your edicts today. Please forgive us, Lord Ashoka, for we could not prove worthy of your legacy, in perpetual apology.

The author is a professor at IIMA