The arrangement in the event hall is really creative. There are five rows of stalls arranged in an orderly manner and each row has twenty-five stalls. The business graduates from different management institutes have occupied their stalls and are ready with their presentation materials.
Akash and Varsha walked together among the other people and stopped at some stalls which interested them. Of course, Varsha just tagged along with Akash and read what he is reading. Every stall has a board with a written description of their business plan and some process flow diagram to give viewers an idea. There are also some printed materials to browse through.
And also if some people wish to ask questions after going through the details, the business graduates who are also the innovator of the idea are ready to answer them with their laptop presentations or paper materials. Some students are also guiding different curious people through the material without even asking questions. They are putting their efforts this way because they also wish to get some investor for their venture.
When Akash and Varsha reached, although not a lot of people have arrived yet the event has already started on time. Akash also browsed through some stalls who are presenting the ideas related to advertising and use of IT. They have laptops opened to describe their business plans to whoever comes to them with questions.
Akash and Varsha are browsing through different stalls like others. Business graduates are presenting their ideas or waiting for questions from observers and some are even waiting for some people to come at their stall. There are expressions of curiosity, encouragement, hope and stress on different faces.
Akash looked at Varsha who is walking beside him without saying anything and is still holding his arm like a protective talisman. He smiled seeing her looking around like a small kid who is placed in a shop.
Feeling that Akash has stopped, she turned her head and looked at his expression and found him looking at her and smiling. She turned her head again toward a stall making it feel like she just moved her gaze around. Her heart started beating fast and "oh God, it is so embarrassing to act ignorant" she thought.
Akash shook his hand she is holding and make her look at him and she asked shyly "What?"
"You can ask questions to people if you feel like it. Or are you finding it boring?" Akash smiled and asked.
Varsha looked at him and finding his expression calm, she smiled and said "No. Things are new to me. So, this is not boring." And of course holding his arm and following him is better than enough but she won't say it. She felt shy of her own thoughts.
Akash looked toward her and asked curiously "Is that so? Are you learning new things and not feeling bored?" And she nodded hurriedly. She nodded the moment he finished his question making him smile.
Suddenly a commotion attracted the attention of Akash and Varsha. It is not only them but many other couples and businessmen and also business graduates got curious about what is it which is making so much noise. Many people looked in that direction and also some moved in that direction to watch the spectacle.
Varsha could not help but be curious and she is trying to stretch her neck to make her height grow a few more inches to have a good view of what is happening. Akash could not help but smile because the habit of women of being curious about stories is known by everyone. Akash smiled and walked in that direction, Varsha tagging along with him. Varsha also smiled thinking that now she can see what is happening.
When they reached near the stall at which commotion is happening, they stopped a few meters as some people are already around that stall. The person causing commotion is a girl who is business graduate managing that stall and another young couple of business family who is furious about something that girl said. Most of the people around are just observers who gathered when the commotion started.
The graduate girl said earnestly "I really can't understand why must you make an issue of such a small thing. "
The women from the business couple said "Is it a small thing? You are here to convince us to make an investment in your idea yet you are doing such an offensive talk."
"I only said that by starting our Indian snack brand, we can compete with foreign brands like McDonald's, KFC etc. What is so wrong about this statement?" The girl asked calmly.
"Did we not tell you when we came here that I have many franchises of McDonald's in Pune and Mumbai? And here you are telling that the growth of foreign business franchises in our country is bad for our economy. Isn't it offensive talk?" The man from the couple said.
The graduate girl showed frustrated and tired expression and said "You are still not getting the point. I not only said about the issue but also presented you with the solution. My business plan is that solution which is about starting our Indian brand of healthy and tasty traditional snacks."
The woman from the business couple stopped her and said "And this is the time of globalization. If you want to do business in other countries, you also have to be open to accepting the businesses of outside. And even if we have franchisees of a foreign brand, there are Indian workers and also we are getting the most of the profit."
The graduate girl smiled and said "Yes. What you said is right. We are living in the age of globalization. But it is also said that the globalization is like a war of survival which is being fought in open. If we forget our national interest, our country's economy will collapse. Our countrymen are the customers, money is also from our country. If you are paying only 40% of the profit to the foreign company for branding, it is still a loss to our country's economy."
Arguments of both sides have their pros and cons and many people gathering around are watching with interest. Some people are even nodding their head when they agree with some of the arguments. This all makes Varsha also quite amused.
Akash looked at her smiling expression and asked: "What is making you smile so much?"
Varsha looked toward him and seeing his curious expression smiled and said "Their argument is quite interesting. I don't think that girl said anything wrong. This couple is acting so petty by making the issue of such a small thing."
The words of Varsha are neither too loud nor too low. So it might have been heard by some nearby people. Some people smiled and some made mocking faces and one girl who is standing nearby sneered and said: "A young cub does not fear the tiger. Ignorant person."
Of course, the first sentence was for the graduate girl arguing and the second one was for Varsha. Varsha felt embarrassed by the words from the nearby girl and looked toward her husband who also has heard the sneering comment.
Seeing the expression of Varsha, Akash smiled and patted her hand encouragingly and said: "You know why these graduates are presenting their ideas here. Because they are looking for investment to start their venture. If you wish to convince others you have to understand their viewpoint first and not offend them as such. Now everyone will think that this girl is so arrogant and not easy to work with. Isn't she harming herself this way? It is right that those who know nothing will fear nothing."
Varsha understood and sighed thinking about the words of her husband 'Those who know nothing will fear nothing'. She looked toward the graduate girl with pity in her eyes but there was also a deep admiration hidden in her gaze for that tenacious girl.
The business couple seems to be losing their patience. They also felt infuriated by the talks of the people around them. They have thought that they will make this girl say sorry and then move on but it has become a big argument now and to make them angrier, both sides are on equal footing.
Suddenly a solemn voice came from nearby "By this attitude of yours you are here to gain investors. Do you still hope to gain investment after causing this commotion? You can be proud of yourself by this nature of yours but you can't get partners or investors for business this way."
A surprised expression could be seen on many faces by seeing the newcomer and the arguing couple smiled seeing him.