I was stuck at an altitude of about 11,000 ft above sea level with my imported Honda Civic. The car had stalled.
God, The Jugaad Master !
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Author Archives: badri
Himalayan Positive Attitude
I was on my Mansarovar-Kailash yatra for the second time. I had arranged to take a group of about 100 persons for pilgrimage. On 21 July 2010, we started driving from an altitude of 4,300 ft in Nepal to Nyalam located at 12,400 ft in Tibet, China. It was too big a climb for one day. To ensure that everyone is healthy and fit to travel to higher altitudes in next few days, we had to take a day’s rest for acclimatisation at a village called Nyalam.
During acclimatisation, rest is defined as climbing a couple of mountains and return to the base! In the evening, when the sun was about to set off, I noticed that a little far away, in one of the mountain kasba, about 30-35 persons were sitting together, in a big circle. Though it was far off, I could here them talking loud and laughing and enjoying their time. It was like a celebration.
One of the Nepalese Sherpa was with me. I checked with him was it a special occasion or festival that people are enjoying so merrily, as if it was some sort of celebration. The reply was very interesting.
He said: “This particular tribe in Tibet have their dinner early, at sunset and enjoy talking and laughing all the time during dinner. However, they have another very special tradition. During the time of dinner, even if oneperson speak negative about any one in the village or criticise, they just stop eating and quietly disperse away on that day! Probably that tradition keep them laughing all the time. Everyone in their tribe have developed the sanskar (habit) of talking positive about every other person all the time.“
What a rich tradition! We wish we all could do the same!!
Experienced and Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
Trust or Written Agreements ?
There were many suppliers of stainless steel glasses from India. In my first deal, since I had taken the samples from Mr. Vishnu Goyal, it was ethical on my part, to buy the products from him.
After executing my first order of $84,000, I felt that I had scope to expand in this business of stainless steel housewares and was worth a try in this range of product whole-heartedly. If I made sure of maintaining quality and price, it wouldn’t be difficult to take a lead in the Middle East in this trade.
In my initial deals, I found Vishnuji very trust worthy, honest and sweetly cooperative. When I brought up the idea of making stainless steel housewares products as a regular export range, he consented to be associated with me.
Normally the next step would be to sign a partnership agreement defining the business relationship between us. But I wanted to try non-conventional method. In many cases, misunderstandings come up because of interpretation of what was written in documents. These disputes start, extends to legal battles and aggravate to a level where the business cripples down to closure. But if nothing is written, both the parties had to be reasonable and not greedy. Knowing that nothing has been written down, they figure out a practical solution together.
Yes, doing business without written agreements is dangerous. The written agreements could be restricted to where there is slightest doubt on trust or if the Law needs it.
This was one of the experiments I wanted to try in my business. We trusted each other and hence suggested Vishnuji that we would have an understanding and avoid a written agreement. Both of us agreed willingly. We mutually understood our roles, financial arrangements and the nature of decisions each of us would take independently and those which needed joint decisions.
We were ambitious but not greedy. Both of us believed “if I am destined to get something, it is bound to come? If it is not destined for me, how will I get at all?”. It is now over 25 years since that arrangement. There isn’t a single word in writing till today. We have executed many multi crore value orders over the years. Touch wood, there have been no disputes. Of course, there have been differences of opinions very few and far between, for the good health of the organisation. When such differences come up, we have a lot of respect for each other’s opinion.
When friends in business ask me what is your relation with Vishnuji in business, I start thinking and I don’t get an answer even to myself.
We were able to maintain peaceful atmosphere between us. If Trust works, Peace prevails. And Peace brings better Prosperity.
Written Agreements can go wrong, but Trust always Cherish!
Experienced and Written: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
Difficult Challenges? Grab Them!
“Release these payments for the purchases from Australia,” said my boss, Mr. AA (renamed to hide identity) one of the three directors, who was respected in social and business circles in the Middle East. It was a transaction of a few hundred thousand US Dollars.
I did not release the payment. It wasn’t that the funds weren’t available. We were purchasing a quantity way out of proportion to actual requirement. I was not convinced, especially since these were food products that bore expiry dates.
I was the purchases and finance manager. We had set-up a system for placing orders. Normally, the quantities for a re-order were based on a review of movement of product for the last four months, stock in hand, orders in transit and the seasonal demand. That’s how a healthy inventory was maintained without a strain on cash flow.
Each of the other directors had their own individual group of companies, other than this company. I had to be loyal to the interest of the company and not to individuals. I insisted on approval of all the directors.
The above order was large and hadn’t gone through the laid down procedure. Most importantly, it was abnormally excessive. The goods had arrived at the port and the payments had to be made immediately. Fortunately, the order was not in our company’s name. The other directors considered all aspects and did not approve this purchase.
Mr. AA was upset and had to make alternate emergency arrangements. On his return to the office, I was called in. I carried my resignation letter with me! I was expecting to be relieved of my job.
He said, “Will you join me as Chief Purchase Manager and Financial Controller of my Group of companies”. I realised discipline pays! I said I needed a week’s time to think it over. This was in 1981.
Within the week, I got all possible information about Mr. AA’s group. The information I collected revealed that every day when they closed stores for the day, it wasn’t sure whether they would open the shutters of the business next day morning. Even the staff salary was in arrears for a few months. The financial position was absolutely critical.
After a week, I went to him:
Me: AA, I accept your proposal, if other partners have no objection to it.
AA: I will convince the other partners. Have you given this a good thought?
Me: Yes, I have.
AA: What would be your terms and salary expectations?
Me: It is not relevant. If I perform, remuneration will follow by itself.
AA: Do you know the financial status of my group?
Me: Yes. I Know. Business may close down any day.
AA: You are in such a healthy company. Here, in my group, you are not sure if you’ll get a salary.
Me: Yes. I considered that. We have to create a position where everyone gets paid.
AA: I am surprised. Why? What makes you join my group?.
Me: Challenge! It is the challenge which is tempting me to accept this responsibility. The present company is healthy and wealthy and has systems which will not allow it to collapse. This can be managed by anyone. But to revive a group like yours would be a real challenge to my abilities.
AA: You are risking your career.
Me: Yes, but I am confident of reviving the company.
I joined the group. I had the support of a very capable CEO and jointly we resolved the problems. After a year or so of revival, there were a few from known business circle to seek advise to revive their sick businesses! I was with them for 5 years till the day I decided to return to India, to start my own business! I thank AA for giving me an opportunity to resolve very complicated problems and learn many lessons which otherwise, I would have missed! It was a rewarding experience.
If you see a difficult challenge, grab it. It gives opportunities to learn.
Experienced and Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
In 1940s, Why Many Were Born Before 10 June !
“What is your son’s birth date?” the clerk at the primary school asked my uncle who took me there for admissions in 1950. My uncle was caught unaware. He never expected to face this question for getting me admitted to school!
I was born at home with the help of Akkamma, an experienced daima (mid-wife) who was devoted to our family for pre and post natal needs. There was no system of celebrating ‘Happy Birthdays’ during those days! So, parents never bothered to remember the actual birth date of their child!
If I had to check with my Mother for anyone’s birthday in the family, she would quote an incident which happened a few days prior or after the specific birth. I really appreciate their memories. The deliveries very rarely in hospitals. They were mostly at home with the help of daima. Hence there were no official records. Only a lucky few could afford to wear a wristwatch at that time. Therefore even the accuracy of the exact time was questionable.
Then how come we all have birth dates? Oh, and even the exact time of birth! In this entire loop, at least in my case, there was one individual who played an important role in determining my actual birth date.
In business communities, the 6 feet long red colour cloth bound bahi-khaatas (books of accounts) were maintained by the family muneems (accountants). Whenever there was a new arrival in the family, he made a note at the top of that day’s journal “wife of Mr. so-and-so delivered a baby boy/girl at such-and-such time.”
The time noted was as given by the family members. That became the basis for preparing janam and lagna kundalis (birth and marriage horoscopes) by the Pandits (priests). These were usually prepared years later, as and when the necessity arose. Else there was no need to remember the birth date.
Therefore, when most unexpectedly the guardian of a child is asked for a birth date, one does not expect to get an answer on the spot. Even if the guardian knew, there are some other internal and external limitations which needed to be considered.
There were no pre-KG or KG classes then. For admission to the 1st standard in a primary school, the student had to complete 5 years of age as on 10th June of the year of admission. If someone was born on 11th June or later, he would lose one year in school as that year was not counted for admission age of 5 years.
And there were other factors too! An auspicious day was selected for getting admission to school. There was a belief that once you go for a good cause, it was inauspicious to return without having completed the job. Hence, once you were at the school for admission, there was reluctance to go back home to find the actual birth date.
Even if he wanted to, he would have to trace the books of accounts of five years back, look through each and every day’s notes around the approximate date of birth. A tedious task indeed.
Further, parents considered it an honour to have their child admitted to a school. It didn’t matter if the age was a couple of months short; the repercussions in the future were not considered seriously in those days.
The school authorities were interested in as many admissions as possible, so that they coult earn enough. A date which proves completion of 5 years would do. The parents were conveniently advised to give a date between 1st and 9th of June (of 5 years back) so that the child could be considered as having completed 5 years of age!
Not surprisingly, a good part of the population at that time was born just before 10th June!
Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
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Best Marketing Guru
“Look, shops open at 9 in the morning and it’s fine if we leave for airport at 10 to catch the scheduled flight tomorrow. We have that one hour. Let us try to meet some buyers”. I had a quick talk with my agent in Riyadh late in the night.
I was on one of my business visits to Saudi Arabia in 1988. As usual my trip was very hectic trying to book orders for my normal product range. I was to return to India the next day morning. At night while I packed, I realised I had samples of a new product, stainless steel glasses, which I had forgotten to explore till then on that trip.
The agent said, “Normally 9am is the time when the shop owners (importers) discuss the previous day’s progress with their salesmen and make their marketing plans for the day. It is too early in the morning for them to discuss purchases. We could pursue that business on your next trip.”
I said, ” never mind, if we are able to meet one or two buyers, we will get an idea about that line of business. No harm. Atleast we will get prepared better for the next trip”. He agreed “Ok, let us take a chance”
We left in time to catch as many importers as possible. The first one was not prepared to discuss purchases at that time, as expected.
We went to the second Saudi buyer. He was busy cleaning and setting his table right, and on our offering the stainless steel glasses, he very casually asked,
He: What price?
Me: 72gms a piece, 7.5 cm dia, 2dz to inner and 12 inners/ctn, non-magnetic stainless steel, 90 days L/C though we may ship in 60 days, $3.75 a dozen
He was still busy cleaning his table, duster in his hand. He said casually, not even looking at us, “$3.50”
Me: No, 3.50 is slightly below my cost. Can’t go below $3.75.
He said firmly: $ 3.50…. pause..….. I could have started with $3.00 and you would have given at $3.50. But I don’t waste time. You are the first one I am seeing this morning, hence don’t want to disappoint you nor get disappointed. If no $3.50, then no interest”
Me: Quantity?
He: One container.
I was expecting the first order to be around 5,000 dz. One container equaled 24,000 doz. For this quantity, I would save some freight and other expenses and my cost would be around $3.50.
Me: Fine. Accepted. We want to start business with you so that you can test our quality of product and services!
He: Proforma banao. Usme Bank details mauzood. Bank L/C details bukra mazboothan. (Make the proforma with your bank details, I’ll arrange and advise you the Letter of Credit details by tomorrow).
I prepared a proforma invoice for US$.84,000. He signed and said in Urdu-Arabic to mean, “Without knowing you, I have placed an order because somehow I felt you are genuine. But make sure you surely dispatch and ship right quality. Don’t let down my judgment”
We concluded the deal and I left for the airport.
By the time I reached Mumbai, the cost of raw material had reduced by about 2%. By the time I exported the goods, the exchange rate went 6% in my favour. By the time I completed the order, I had made a decent saving of about 10%. The value per container was high and the profit margin for this product ultimately turned out to be quite satisfactory. I was tempted to expand my product range to stainless steel housewares!
After executing the order, when I met the same customer on my next visit, I was curious to know what made him place the order with me without knowing of me. His reasons were interesting.
He said something to the effect that, “We have 3 major problems when we place orders with exporters from India.
One, they normally give a price and sometimes show a sample. Intentionally, they do not give full details of the products unless we specifically ask for each of the details. They try to keep an escape route ready for them. In case, later, if the cost goes up, they compromise on the details missed out, and give an inferior, smaller or cheaper product.
Two, when we tie them down in the L/C with all specifications, in many cases they opt not to ship at all when the cost goes up.
Three, when the price increases, they divert the order to our competitors at a higher price. They might supply to us later when they have excess stocks. Sometimes they even fail to supply which is a double loss to us as we lose our customers to the competitor to whom they supplied products meant for us.
But in your case, while quoting the price, on your own, you gave all the details of weight, size, packing, grade, delivery and price which I needed, without my asking for it. This built my confidence that you are honest. So, I took a chance and placed the order with you!”
I was completely got carried away by his reasons! It enlightened me “If I could take care of these worries of the customers, it would make a difference to my business”. I made these as guide lines. Never did I compromise in quality. Never did I fail to supply. Never did I tried to take advantage of the situation. It worked. It gave satisfaction to both, me and my customers. Within 2-3 years, we had around 60% of the Saudi Arabian market in stainless steel housewares!
I thank the customer, who was my best Marketing Guru
Experienced and Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
Every Activity Has Inbuilt Opportunity – Explore !
“Badri, we need stainless steel utensils in bulk for Bellary’s Ganesh Temple. They are produced and marketed in Bombay. If I come to Bombay, can we get reliable quality at competitive prices?” This was a call I received in 1988 from my cousin, Bhagwandas who stayed in Bellary, my home town. I had moved out of Bellary twenty-three years before that. We were all very active in maintaining our town temple and celebrating traditional functions at the temple.
The stainless steel dining and serving dishes were required on dinners organized during festivals. The temple’s hall was also rented out for wedding and other functions. Having dinner sets ready for such occasions would attract more people to have their family celebrations at the temple, thereby increasing the funds available for the upkeep of the temple.
“It would be a pleasure. Though I don’t know anyone in the stainless steel trade, I will get some contacts by the time you come next week,” I said.
At this time, I was settled in Mumbai and running a business in exports. We were merchant exporters, mainly dealing with spices and imitation jewelry. Dubai and Saudi Arabia were our main markets then.
I contacted a neighbour who I knew was in the steel business. It turned out that he was dealing in steel products used in the construction industry and not in houseware. But he introduced me to Mr. Vishnu Goyal (Goyalji), who was a manufacturer of stainless steel glasses and had his wholesale outlet at C P Tank in Mumbai.
I visited Goyalji with my cousin. Since the products were for a temple, he volunteered to supply his products at cost and to arrange for other items from reliable sources at a competitive price. In no time, he arranged for everything. In fact, while I was discussing how to pack and dispatch the utensils to Bellary, he overheard the conversation and asked me to give him the address. He’d get them packed properly to avoid damage in transit and send them over.
We were relaxed and happy with the purchase. It went out smoothly and was quick too! It was a time to celebrate! We were offered biscuits and tea. As the trend prevails in the market, it was just half of a tiniest cup! We had to ask for more! Tea and biscuits go well with small talk and we had a casual chat.
He: Baldawaji, what do you do?
Me: I am a Chartered Accountant, but I don’t practice. I am in export business.
He: Oh, Bahut Achhaa! Where do you export?
Me: Middle East – UAE and Saudi
He: Are Wah! Even steel glasses are exported in large quantities. Why not try?
Me: Goyalji, it is not in my range of products; but I will let you know if it interests me.
When we were about to leave, Goyalji gave me six glasses with specs and said, “These are the ones which were being exported there. Please keep them with you in case you decide to carry these as samples on your next overseas visit. Price is xx per kg.” I accepted the glasses, hesitatingly, as he was giving them free of cost.
I had a suitcase in the office to collect samples of new exportable products as and when I got them. I worked the pricing on a cost sheet and dropped those glasses in the suitcase. Later this business developed to the extent that we had almost 60% of Saudi Arabian market. An opportunity sent by Lord Ganesha, when explored, proved to be one of the Turning points in my career.
Lesson learnt: Every activity has inbuilt opportunities. Look for them and Explore!
Experienced and Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
Business With Strangers:
“We are large importers in Sultanate of Oman and have an procurement office in Mumbai. We know you export spices to the Middle East. We have substantial orders on hand. If you pay a 10% commission to our Mumbai indenting office, we can place these orders with you.” A welcome call from a unknown prospective customer Harish Gupta on a Thursday morning!
Me: “It is too high a commission”
He: “You can cover the cost in your product rates and we will still get you the order.”
Me: “Who will guarantee payments?”
He: “This is for supplies to the Oman palace. You will be covered with a confirmed L/C (an export document that carries guarantee). If you are interested, please send us a Proforma Invoice for all the products you have, for the trial order.”
I was certainly interested. I sent the Proforma on Thursday evening and got a call from one Mr. Harish Gupta on Friday morning stating that it is their normal practice to visit the supplier’s office before placing the order. Mr. Gupta, visited us the same day. Since, he came in hurry, he said he forgot to get his visiting card.
Friday evening kept me happy as I received an order for US$ 85,000 from a new customer. Gupta called me on Friday evening to say: “Even though your prices are high, we will confirm the order to test your services. Before we establish L/C on Monday, Sethji, our boss, would like you to meet him.”
Saturday morning, I was at their office in a building opposite Jaslok Hospital, Peddar Road, Bombay. The front room was a large, dim and dark hall of almost 20 feet by 30 feet. It had a well-used sofa in one corner and a table and chair for the receptionist, at the other end. Nothing else. Dirty walls and confusing, uncleaned balconies. The moment I entered, the main entrance door was closed and quietly locked. I handed over my business card to the receptionist and asked for a card of the boss. I was told that the cards are with the boss himself. I was told that the name of their boss is Mr. Rajesh Agarwal. Until then, it was a secret.
After about 10 minutes, Mr. Gupta took me to Mr. Agarwal’s room which was a decent executive office. The room also had a relaxing chair for boss to stretch and relax. Mr. Gupta mentioned that Mr. Agarwal is delayed at the Mahalaxmi Race course and would be at the office in a few minutes. He also mentioned that the boss was crazy about horse-race betting. Anyway, delays have to be tolerated when one approaches customers!
While I was waiting, a dhoti cladded decent middle-aged gentleman came in to offer daily prayers with agarbattis (essence sticks) to the deity photo in the office. After his prayers, he introduced himself as Abhishek Pandit, sat next to me, and started gossiping. Within minutes he got pretty friendly and gave me a lot of information about the boss. Boss had a lot of investments in real estate and luxury farm houses and he shuttled between the properties in his own chopper. He was cash rich by hundreds of crores. Most of this he had accumulated from betting in horse races and Mr. Abhishek was the retainer for the boss and helped him win.
He said he was not referring to the horse races which are played in the racecourses but which could be played in any room. He took out 6 symbolic horses in the form of conches and 52 sea-shells. He kept the horses in one line and told me to select any one. He played a few games and challenged me that the way he played the game, the horse that he desired, won, not even 1% chance of failure. He went on to explain how he played this game. Mathematically, I was convinced, that there were no chance of going wrong.
Then came the secret of secrets from Abhishek Pandit, “In fact, boss doesn’t even know how this game is played. He makes a lot of money because of me and I just get a token monthly retainership fee. I don’t know why, I feel you can be trusted. I suggest you play against boss, the Sethji. Of course, I will play on Boss’ behalf, I’ll allow you to win and we can share the amount you win. Even if he loses a Crore, It wouldn’t bother the boss, it is insignificant for him. You contribute Rs.10 lakhs which I guarantee, you will not lose and we can earn about a Crore and share the loot.”
I teased myself. “Look at my good luck, I came to get an export contract and I am being lead to gain Crores effortlessly!”
The moment I entered the office, it all sounded fishy. I could have tried to return, but I smelt it might not be a safe move. The door was closed and any attempt to get out may invite huge risk. They might hold me back as hostage for ransom. If they were convinced that I knew it was a trap, they might want to get rid of me forever instead of allowing me to leave and complain to the intelligence authorities. Yet, I felt this could be my negative way of thinking and they could as well be genuine businessmen. But one thing was sure, I had to be careful.
I realised the safest thing for me was to stay calm and try to be deceptively genuine in my moves. I told Abhishek, “Look, we are strangers to each other. I cannot take full risk. Though I have no problem in putting in full stake, it is fair that if you share profits, you should also share investment. You bring in 5 and I’ll put in 5. I assure you I will never disclose this deal to the boss.” He hesitatingly agreed.
Abhishek explained, “I have never done this type of cheating with my boss earlier. To get his confidence, we should initially lose a couple of games with small stakes. Once he wins a couple of times, he will go for bigger stakes and then we can have our kill.”
Just then, the boss arrived, holding a mini suitcase like briefcase. My friend Abhishek whispered to me, “we will speak about this later” and walked out. In fact he said he was waiting for Sethji and when the Sethji arrived, he walked out!
Mr. Gupta, the guy who visited our place came in and introduced me to the Boss. While making himself comfortable to sit, boss told me “I am not feeling well. I have that damn BP problem. I have already called the doctor and he should be reaching any moment. Give me 5 minutes till the doctor is done.”
The boss pressed the call bell and asked the guy “call Vermaji” (guess, their accountant). Just then, the doctor entered, Boss lied down on the relaxing chair and started checking his blood pressure. Just then the accountant came in. Boss says, “the bag has 12 ‘peti’ (12 lacs). Keep it in the safe.” Verma asks what he should do with the 30 ‘peti’ he has received from the other guy. Sethji told him to keep that amount also in the safe and that a payment of 1 ‘khoka’ (1 crore) had to be made on Monday towards some real estate he had purchased.
At this stage, Verma picked up the briefcase and put it on the table very close to me. He opened it in such a way that I could see the currency and then took it away.
I wondered, “Would I expose cash in the presence of strangers?” No. I got the answer for my doubts. A reel of observations flowed. No visiting card so far, deserted office, intentional showing of cash, sequence of entry and exits of people and above all, this bait of 100% win to a stranger by cheating one’s own Boss. I was now convinced, that it was a trap. Export business was just an excuse to get me in to that place.
If I try to walk out or protest, they would not allow me to go out and would most likely harm me. I had to be extremely careful in my moves. Now, surely, my primary aim had to be to get out of that place convincingly.
Since the Boss was not well, he had to leave. He ordered tea for me and requested that I have the tea. By then, Abhishek, the retainer for playing games, entered. He said, “We are lucky, inspite of his not keeping well, Boss has agreed to play the horse race game. Before boss changes his mind, we should play with him, preferably today itself.”
My strategy was to get out of the place convincingly. I replied, “why not, let us play today itself. Such opportunities are rare. I wish I had known this earlier, I could have brought cash with me.” He proposed that let us make a start with whatever money I had with me at that time. I said it is my nature that I don’t I carry money with me except where necessary.
He said, “I can send someone to your place to get the money for you while you can relax here.”
I told him that I don’t keep 5 lakhs at home. I would have to withdraw from the bank. In the meanwhile, I proposed to him to contribute on my behalf and deduct it from my share of the win.
He said in a filmy style “I am a man of principles. In betting partnerships, it does not work that way. Everyone has to put in his stake. It’s okay, if you don’t have 5 lakhs, we can start with 2 lakhs each.”
I said, “I don’t have even 2 lakhs at home. I have no problems getting even 5 lakhs, but I have to withdraw from the bank. Unfortunately, today is Saturday, the Banks are already closed. Why don’t you fix Monday morning for a game.”
He: “okay, 11 in the morning?”
Me: “No. No. Why not earlier, at 10? Banks in suburbs open at 8.30 and I can reach here by 10. I am quite excited. I don’t want to delay any more than necessary.”
He: “Fine. We will play a major game on Monday. But why not start today evening with one lakh?”
Me: “That is possible. I may not have one lakh ready, but I can accumulate from my wife and friends. It is a good idea to play today; else I may not be able to control my excitement during the weekend. I will revert by 5 in the evening and you get this confirmed with your boss.”
He spoke to the boss in my presence over phone and meeting at 5pm was fixed.
As I was leaving, I asked him to check with Guptaji, when I was to expect the L/C, so that I could start working on the order. He said, “Don’t worry, Guptaji already told me. We will get that formality done next week. For you, earning from that order is negligible compared to what we are planning together.”
On my way out of the premises, I was nervous about what might happen till I reach home. For the time being, it looked like I had a temporary lease of life. They looked really dangerous. Every well-built person passing by was looking like a spy following me!
I was pale when I reached home. I narrated the entire episode to my wife. She was worried too. Right at 5 pm, I got a call from Abhishek that they were waiting for me. I said, unfortunately, I could not accumulate 1 lakh. He asked if I had at least accumulated 50,000. I hadn’t. But I promised we could certainly meet on Monday with full 5 lakhs as my stake.
My biggest worry was that they had already marked my home. On Monday, I got the dreaded call. I said, “Look, I was feeling humiliated and that’s why I told you that I have adequate funds. In fact, I am starving for funds. I do not have any balance in the bank to withdraw cash. I was expecting the bank to sanction me a temporary loan on Monday. But they did not oblige.”
I answered their calls for next 5-6 days, each time giving them similar story – that the bank would probably approve the loan the next day. I even told them that, it would be easier for me to get a loan if I had the L/C for their order!
After a week, I told them that my loan application was rejected and hence have no funds. I did not go there. Right or wrong, I did not lodge an official complaint about them.
I have been waiting for almost 3 decades and the L/C for that order is yet to come!
I did mention this incident to people I knew, so that they wouldn’t fall prey to such calls. When I narrated this incident to one of my close friends at Napean Sea Road. He said “You are saved. Once they mark you and your place, be careful. One of my other friends had the same experience with similar guys, but at a different location, a month ago. They snatched his money. My friend complained to the relevant authorities. He was asked to lodge an official complaint the next day and was kidnapped the same night. I have not heard from him since.”
I decided, I would be more careful before I do business with strangers and extra careful, if I had to visit them.
Experienced and Written By: Badri Baldawa
Edited By : Meeta Kabra
Unusual Activity Around Reveals Unusual Facts!
At the Bank of Ganges. On the afternoon of 1st April 2014.
It was very hot to linger at the banks of the river. Other than the sleeveless t-shirt and shorts I was wearing, I just had a towel and a handkerchief with me. I wet them in the river and covered my legs to cool them down. The wet handkerchief on my head was a much needed relief.
It was still not good enough. I had to move away from the bank to a place just above the steps of the ghat. There was a large shade built for multi-purposes for protecting the visitors when the Sun is too harsh; when the rain is at its best, pleasant mood; when the wind is in Tandav Nritya mode (playing havoc like a dancing Shiva) and when ladies need privacy. Yet, you have a full view of the lively Ganges.
A simple looking gentleman came under the shade too. I noticed him sitting on the floor with a bag. He was busy in his own way and I was with my laptop. After an hour or so I looked at him. He had a small hand operated heater, blower, scissor and some reshaped empty mineral water bottles. His belongings made me curious.
I sat next to him and had to ask him what he was busy with. He picked up the reshaped bottle and said, “look, I have made Lord Ganesh out of empty mineral bottles.” He had indeed impressively done that by reshaping two mineral bottles.
Then he showed me a paper roll and started blowing it from one end to make a pleasant sound. It was made out of waste paper lying around. He had made a lantern by blowing out of another mineral water bottle. He had a nice strong shopping bag made out of multiple layers of raddi newspapers. He had a tennis ball with an elastic string tied in such a way that you could play tennis by yourself, sitting anywhere, indoor or outdoor. They were all biodegradable. No pins, no chemical paste were used for these items.
It was all amazing. I was curious to know who he was. He was 73-year old Mr. Iyer from Santacruz, Mumbai. He was tennis coach to National Champions like Gaurav Natekar and Asif Ismail. He trained 21 State level tennis players, attended 30 training centers and converted ball pickers to coaches.
Not just that. Mr. Iyer was a wizard in use of waste. He was holder of Limca Book of Record 2004 as “Recycle Wizard”. He was winner of national and international awards for import substitution. He set up world’s first “Best from Waste” museum in Mumbai. He has an exhibition hall where some of his artistic items are exhibited in Santa Cruz, Mumbai.
I thanked myself for having taken the initiative to inter-act with Mr. Iyer. Had I not done that, I would have missed out on learning some amazing facts about a person, who otherwise would have been for me, one of those men passed by. An extraordinary simple personality – Mr. Iyer.
A Lesson learnt. Never miss out on getting the details if one finds someone involved in a “different” unusual activity. There is always something we don’t know and can learn.
Written: Badri Baldawa
Edited: Meeta Kabra
Will Power Assures Success
Lower Spondylitis, three cervical slips and dislocation of a toe-joint were the health related issues I faced in 2008. Alongside I had syncope and chronic high blood pressure. In normal course, with these issues, one might vehemently oppose the idea of even going for a simple walk.
I, however, wanted to trek to Mt. Everest base camp. Age 64 years. My spine questioned its importance, “how can you ignore me and put me under such strain?” The toe protested “after all it is me who’ll ensure you to do the trek. If I am not well, how will you trek?” To me they sounded like kids making excuses to escape from home work.
But I was very clear. Come what may, I have to go. I wasn’t convinced that these were adequate reasons to not to go or to postpone the Everest Trek, even by a day. I had to convince my so-called problems. To my cervical spine, I said “I will not strain you. I won’t carry baggage on my shoulders; I’ll have a porter to carry the weight”. To the lower spine, I extended a carrot stick, “Don’t you worry. I have a nice, imported waist-belt to support you; you would love its company”.
For the toe I had, “I will take you to an orthopedic doctor, feed you with appropriate energy so that you won’t feel the pain, atleast for a few weeks.”
The Doctor advised me to postpone the trek by a fortnight to give some provisional treatment. When I refused and asked for a better option, he came up with a solution. He’d inject a medicine and within a week the toe would be good for the next 8 weeks at least.
Looking at my firm attitude, my good-old companions from birth, neck, spine and toe were convinced and happily made my trek to Everest possible.
We are faced with similar problems in other fields too, in day-to-day life. If we permit them to dominate, they restrict our success. If we have the will power to dominate these problems, success is assured.