Foresight

Chapter III

Lots of hustle. People running here and there, with black robes in their hands. Presence of men in uniform in the campus; it goes without saying that the management has taken quite a step for the safety.

It's the day of convocation at the Imperial Institute of Management. "Guys, this place is the best place to get our photo taken" screams Niraj at the top of his lungs. The gang lines up, the parents click the photo. Without wasting time it is being titled 'The Beginning'.

Rajesh, a 25 year old MBA gradute with average looks is happy go son, friend and business partner. The fact of being single through the tenure of six years of studying does not deter his ability to praise life. He had been doing some management projects for people at the time he was in college itself. And it brings him immense joy to do it. Why will it not ? He charges optimal, operates with the level of expert manager, provides the customer with top notch material and man power. The one thing the customer's say is "He won't allow you into the workplace until he feels it is ready for the customer". And he does manage to satisfy the customer to his best. Some customers do pay an incentive.

The secret behind all the satisfaction is that he employs illiterate children. Rajesh always had a way with boys in their teens. He finds boys who are willing to do menial work for some money. When he gets the project, he gets the materials and teaches those boys with his own hands. He stays in the workplace the entire time the work is going on. This way he manages to get the work done in time and without compromising on the quality. When he is paid he gives the boys their equal share with the assurance for the next project he will employ them.

He managed to to gain some credible experience during the college days itself as these small scale projects would happen on weekends, holiday celebrations etc. All this small scale projects give him a confidence that he need not work for some corporate, according to their rules. But you cannot do a business on your own. You need partners. Luckily college does not starve you of friends who can be as crazy as yourself. Here his two pals enter the picture; Niraj and Tarun.

Niraj and Tarun had been his best mates from his first days he stepped into the so- called fearsome world called 'College'. When he was with them, the scary and boring words of his relatives, parents about the seriousness of life would vanish. They have shared everything; ideology to attitude, notes to toiletries, even girls. He did not think that he will have to convince them into his plans of venturing into the business world when the college vomits them to the world, tagged as graduates. But it was not a piece of cake.

A brainstorming session that lasted for four boxes of cigarettes, two bottles of rum and the entire night finally convinced Niraj and Tarun to accept and be party to Rajesh's idea. They figured and accepted that Rajesh and Niraj will pitch-in for half while Tarun will pitch the remaining half. Tarun reluctantly accepted to the condition. But coming to terms with the sacrifice of his own out of college would require some more cigarettes.

That morning they all went to sleep, some happily because of their success, some bit sad for their personal sacrifice, but bit happy to see the smile on a friend.