In the heart of Hampi City, within the Noble district,
Vijay quickly arrived at his Cikkappa (uncle), Ravi Shetty's mansion. A Chubby, middle-aged man welcomed him at the entrance, Vijay was not surprised as his visit had been communicated before he left the palace.
"Cikkappa (uncle), how are you? How is my Cikkam'ma (aunt)? How is your health?" Vijay greeted warmly, folding his hands together in a namaste gesture.
"I'm doing well, Vijji (Vijay's nickname). Your Cikkam'ma is also in good spirits. Set aside us old folks for now. Tell me about yourself. Have you had a meal? Your Cikkam'ma prepared your favourite dish upon hearing that you will come," his Cikkappa replied, patting Vijays back.
Both Cikkappa and Sodaraliya (Nephew) entered the house, and their conversation continued with them chatting and laughing.
"Vijji, come on in, take a seat. How have you been? Are you eating properly? You look slimmer," his Cikkam'ma (aunt), said with a warm chuckle.
His Cikkam'ma was a kind-hearted housewife, dressed in a beautiful green silk saree that made her resemble the goddess Lakshmi. She had a 10-year-old daughter, who was currently studying at a gurukul (traditional school). Vijay remembered the times he used to visit his Cikkappa's (uncle's) house, and his Cikkam'ma used to take care of him like their own son.
Vijay couldn't help but laugh at this comment, thinking to himself, "Some things never change, no matter the time."
Afterwards, the three of them – Cikkappa (uncle), Cikkam'ma (aunt), and Vijay – gathered for a shared lunch. Following the meal, Vijay and his Cikkappa sat alone to discuss business matters. his Cikkappa became more serious and respectful, quite unlike the goofy personality from their earlier interactions.
"So, tell me, Your Highness, how can I be of any service to you?" Cikkappa Ravi inquired respectfully, his demeanour is of a subject under the king.
Vijay, feeling a tad bit frustrated by the formality, responded, "Relax a bit, Cikkappa. I'm here for personal matters, not Kingdom's affairs. If it were a matter of the kingdom, I would've had someone call you to the palace."
Cikkappa Shetty visibly loosened up upon hearing this, his typical disposition returning as he let out a sigh of relief.
"Alright then, Viji. Just spill it out – what brings you here?" he asked in a more laid-back tone.
"Here's the thing, Cikkappa. I have a plan to start a new factory, but with the iron works factory, military and police academy already running, I'm facing a fund shortage," Vijay explained.
"How much do you need? Just let me know, and I'll provide it," Cikkappa replied, not even letting the full sentence finish.
Vijay was grateful but clarified, "Cikkappa, it's not that simple. I don't just want your money. I want you to invest in the new factory as a stakeholder. I've got a new technology to boost paper production efficiency. My investment includes this technology and 500,000 Varaha, which will give me a 60% ownership stake in the factory. I need you to contribute one and a half million Varaha for a 40% stake."
Cikkappa was confused by the unfamiliar terms and asked, "Stakeholding? What's that? Why haven't I heard of it?"
"Stakeholding is when multiple owners pool their money to start a business. In our case, I'll provide 500,000 Varaha and the technology, giving me 60%. You'll provide one and a half million Varaha for a 40% stake. In profits, you'll get a 40% share. For example, for every 100 Varaha profit, 40 Varaha will be yours," Vijay explained.
"Stakeholding, ha? interesting, " he thought to himself.
Ravi Shetty, the head of a business empire, quickly grasped the concept and began calculating in his mind.
"Viji, are you trying to trick me? What kind of technology could possibly be worth around 400,000 Varaha, and what kind of factory justifies an investment of 3.75 million Varaha?" Shetty questioned straightforwardly. Among the royal family, transparency in financial matters was paramount – Vijay's father had made it clear that each individual was accountable for their own finances.
"We've developed a new method to make paper, Cikkappa. Investing in papermaking after the invention of this new method is a golden opportunity that promises substantial returns. The cost-effectiveness and abundant supply of the new paper will make production more financially viable than ever before. This innovation not only reduces production costs but also revolutionizes the workshop's efficiency, enabling faster processing and higher output rates. With this, we can drastically reduce paper costs. We'll recoup the investment quickly after it succeeds," Vijay replied promptly, aiming to convince his Cikkappa.
No matter how eloquently Vijay spoke or how grandly he painted the picture, Ravi Shetty remained sceptical. However, given that the request came directly from the king of the empire, he eventually agreed and provided the funds as a favour. Following the transaction, Vijay was elated. He took it upon himself to draft the contract and reassure his Cikkappa, "Don't worry, Cikkappa. I'll soon present you with a trial version of the paper, and then you can inspect it."
Ravi Shetty remained cautious but nodded in response.
After obtaining what he needed, Vijay swiftly returned to the palace and instructed, "Vinod, quickly find me some Kagzi's (paper artisans) in the capital and bring them to me."
Later that day, Vinod gathered a group of Kagzi and presented them before Vijay.
"I need all of you to collaborate and enhance the efficiency of paper production. I once read in an ancient book that using wood pulp instead of rags and other materials can significantly improve paper efficiency and reduce costs," Vijay explained.
"So, I'm asking you to brainstorm together and devise a workable method to make this happen. The individual who contributes the most innovation to this project will become the chief head of Raya & Shetty paper mills, which will be established soon."
This time, Vijay refrained from sharing all his knowledge with the craftsmen. He wanted them to develop their own ideas, but he did provide a tested concept from the future to guide them and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
The craftsmen were thrilled by the king's words. The tale of Hey Ram's legend had circulated in their circles, and some had an inkling of what heading a factory meant. They eagerly dispersed to their respective workshops to put the idea to the test.