One Sunday, when I visited the factory, Dakshit was scrolling on his site Vastra.com which had become a popular B2B site in Bharata for searching the best ethnic garments in the country. He welcomed me with respect and asked me to take the seat. I asked about his experience of Bharata tour and his progress afterwards.
Dakshit: On return from tour in fifteen states in Bharata, I started on expansion of my manufacturing unit and capacity of designing sarees, the most beloved attire in the country. I learnt about various ethnic and traditional costumes worn throughout the nation. I further got chance to learn the significance behind the choice of fabrics, the cultural coloured patterns, dressing styles and I discovered the ethnic costumes had symbollic meaning to the status of people i.e. married or unmarried or widow/er and their occupational status too.
Me: So, you must have recovered all the expenses made during the tour.
Dakshit: (an apologetic expression) Common Agastya. I am happy and delighted to have gone on this tour. When you offered me this idea of having a live experience of the rich heritages of our nation, I doubted on its contribution to my factory. Our reliance on the working staff was not as productive as it has been now. Dad, too, is convinced now.
Me: Tell me more about your tour. Explain me how did this tour help you in expanding this business and what further prospects do you see in your business.
Dakshit: During this tour, I met the agriculturists who supplied cotton, silk, denim, wool and other fabrics to the garment manufacturers in different parts of the country. This year, the apparel industry had seen a low growth and around 60% of the manufacturers deemed of further deflation in the market. The hand-made garments are pricey and mostly exported overseas but the exporters too, were dissatisfied by the price they gained overseas. The nationalist movements in Germany, the UK, France, Denmark and the Russia hampered the export of hand-made Bharatiya traditional garments. The rise of western outfits over the time resists the youth to take part in cultural programmes that promote the ethnic garments. But, your idea of designing the ethnic garbs into modern outfits worked to enhance the cultural walks of life. However, we did manufacture designer label traditional outfits, but we didn't work on the popular fashion items as a medium to promote the customary taste. Moreover, I negotiated deals with many manufacturers in the country who were willing to provide pure home-made fabrics on a large scale. Not only this, I also dealt with the retailers in the country who would contact me on Vastra.com and receive required quantity of traditional costumes manufactured in our factory and help in promoting the arts and the heritages of the nation through marketing. Our website, as per your instruction, is working on B2B model. Our production of Mysore Silk, Kanjeevaram, Salem Silk, Muga Silk, Eri Silk and Kocha Silk initiated in the first month of my return from the Bharata tour.
Uncle Sarvanand (entering the office) Hello Agastya. I am happy to have you here. Earlier, you motivated the vendor Jagan Baniya to initiate clothes bank in your locality. The agenda of the initiative was to aware people of the fast fashion that exploited the significance of costumes in daily life. However, I earn from this textile industry, I am aware of the fact that mother earth has nothing to fulfill one's greed. I am happy with the concept of connecting Bharata through the traditional costumes that would protect, preserve, advertise, vivify and promote the regional traditions and heritages in the nation. This is a beautiful way of scaling the turnover high. But when it's enough to feed the people on this side, I expect you to involve into other any other agenda on which the Bharata has yet to progress.
Having said this, an idea clocked into Dakshit's mind. He further introduced the idea of printing various national monuments and historical sites respective to the traditional costumes to aware about the places and enhance tourism in those sites.
Me: That would be a lovely approach!
Uncle gave a thumbs up. When he was about to exit, he said, "Dakshit, assign this task to Dikshita."
Dakshit: Fine, dad! Dikshita may do it.
I asked him about the new statistics. Meanwhile, Dikshita entered the office. We greeted each other.
Dakshit: Earlier, we used to manufacture Banarasi saree in the saree section and kurti, achkan, lehenga, dhoti, ghagra, pathani suit and salwar kameez. I have not expanded any other section than saree. We produce fifteen different types of sarees that are traditionally worn in Bharata. I had no idea there were so many types of sarees in India. However, I had learnt much about the traditional outfits during the first season of Paridhaan: Ek Katha, Ek Pratha, but I missed so much about Bharata. I thank you again to persuade me to live and get enraptured by Bharata. I was so indulged in it that I often forgot my wife too.
Dikshita: (grimaced) See Agastya, I plead you not to suggest him anything that may lead me to live bereft of my husband.
Me: The virtuous have no where to survive, huh!
They laughed.
Dakshit: So Agastya, after two and half-months of my return from Bharata tour, I further contacted with the other dealers in the country to receive the fabrics and designs for Pashmina Aari, Panchachuli Saree, Kasavu, Kunbi, Champa Silk, Paithani, Chikankari, Kalamkari and Balaramapuram sarees. The average production of sarees in the last six months is 450units per day i.e an average of 30units of each saree per day. We have an appropriate demand growth during this period and we assume the figures will triple in the next financial year. (He presented the overall statistic figures in brief.)
Dikshita: How are your studies going on Agastya? Aisha says you spend most of your time helping others. Dikshita was concerned.
Dakshit: It's good. If he is teaching his friends what he has learnt, he will excel in the academics.
Dikshita: You don't know Dakshit. How can a guy spend whole of his time in helping others? When Aisha learnt about this fact, she was hurt. She has none to help her in her studies but she decided not to take help from Agastya. She wants him take proper sleep. (She mentioned the reason behind her concern.)
Dakshit was shocked when he heard her.
Dakshit: That's not fair Agastya. You should take proper rest. You encourage all of us to enjoy life in its struggle and a proper sleep proves your level of satisfaction in life. So, why don't you sleep? People are selfish my dear friend. They are always in need of someone who does their job.
Me: Dakshit! Dikshita! I am grateful to you for your concern. But I am concerned of this Bharata. Do you know what Bharata is? The subtlety of Bharata is beyond any history, knowledge, philosophy, religion and culture. Bharata is the abstract time that has witnessed to an innumerable tales within itself. Bharata is the solemn promise that can defy the power of time when it tries to hurt the truth. Yes, time is truth but the reverse is not so accurate. Bharata is the speed of will that can cross any limits of the creator's users manual and redefine the instructions to let the wheels of dharma continue to rotate on its axis. Bharata is the depth of emotional intelligence and the height of tolerance and liberality. Bharata is the creative force that gives birth to curiosity to find and redefine the existential truth of all beings of life. Bharata is a revolution that is done within. Having said this, I need not worry of Bharata but I fear of its unbound destructive force that will wipe out the whole life processes if we do not pay homage to its mercy. It's our duty to identify ourselves as Bharata and live in complete exuberance. But look within and around, do you think the Bharata is alive somewhere? Do you believe people are in complete liberation in this democratic Bharata? Do you believe people are sensitive to essence of life? Do you see the curiosity in the people that gets enchanted everytime one interludes with the affairs of the mortals? I can see people behaving like touch-me-not. I can see people behaving like the forest fire. I can see people behaving like vultures and jackals. This is not the Bharata I have lived so far. It's not me who is awake late till night but it's Bharata who wishes to wake up in every hearts on this holy land. (break) Now, with your due permission, allow me to go.
It was unprecedented but maybe Bharata called me to speak up for I had always wanted them to participate in my mission.
The transport system for the delivery and purchase of products was a crucial node in the business. Dikshita had prepared a fabulous artwork of the ethnic garments worn throughout the nation. She thought of having the painting printed and/or repainted on the trucks or other carriers that would transport their products to different states in the nation. This concept was good for advertising but it cost higher. So, Dakshit postponed the idea for the right time. Vastra.com had reached to the hundreds of thousands of businessmen and vendors across the country who would directly contact with the manufacturer and receive home delivery of required products. Dikshita's ethnic designs on the modern outfits went crazily trending in the markets. The other western outfit designers faced a cut-throat competition due to the active involvement of Rivaaze Vastra Udhyog into the markets of whole of Bharata. It was the time of next season of Paridhaan: Ek Katha, Ek Pratha.
On the other side, the fashion industry organized ramp-walk festivals in different major and sub-urb cities in Bharata to revive its dwindling growth. The other popular sites that offered D2C facilities started an offer season on the western outfits. The famous icons from theatres and movie industry were called for advertisements by the esteemed fashion brands in the world and the fast fashion entrepreneurs in Bharata manufactured low-quality designer outfits that were supplied all over the nation that not only attracted the consumers towards it but effectively diverted their mindsets from cultural costumes to west.
During my second year of college, the Utkarsha had outperformed in every subject. Mukul, who was supposed to be a rich kid, too studied the subjects as his spheres of life and hence, levelled up to the top five achievers in the list. On the day the result for the 4th semester was published on the notice board, Mukul came to me heavy-heartedly while I was discussing about property law with Jagriti.
Me: So, we have to prove it to the court that the fraud of having the hillock, under the property of the state government, cut from the base and sold the plain land to the buyer Shahid Shah was conducted by any conspirator but not by the company. The seal was misused in the papers. We actually are not aware of the conspirator. However, your instinct says it were the legal manager and the financial manager who were dishonest with the company.
As I looked up at Mukul, I could feel he had something to say.
Me: Let us discuss it later Jagriti. Please, excuse me now. (break) Come, Mukul, be seated. How are you Utkarsha?
Mukul: (wet eyes) Agastya, it's your guidance under which I and we all have identified ourselves with Utkarsha. When I see my family members nowadays, I remind myself how adamant and carefree I was before. I always bore the pride of being nephew of a state minister. Now, my uncle bears pride on me. I can feel this difference Agastya. When no one dared to confront me, you did it gracefully. While Jagriti dared to challenge me once and I retaliated but it didn't happen with us. My uncle asked me the reason behind such change to which I had no answer than uttering your name. He said that he wished to meet you someday. You mustn't have noticed the results but let me the chance of announcing your result. You have exceeded the students in all the faculties of this college with 10/10 CGPA, Agastya! I have scored 8.8 CGPA this time. Having you as my friend, you have no idea how delighted I am. Thank you so much dear.
One day, the Minister of Mines for state affairs himself visited the college to thank gurudev Prashant to have his nephew excel in studies. It was after interval when I was called into the principal's office. As I entered, the minister praised me.
Minister Bhoogarbha: Come, come, little master Agastya. I had never thought my nephew would excel in studies this way. None in our family had ever scored higher than the passing marks. Mukul said that you have created a group named Utkarsha. You have literally proved its worth. Ain't I right gurudev?
Gurudev Prashant: Minister Bhoogarbha, Agastya is one of our gems. He is praiseworthy and at the same time, highly responsible towards the goodwill of this college.
Minister Bhoogarbha: Yes, obviously gurudev! (break) Mr. Vallabha Patel is here with me for a special purpose. He has brought an invitation to you. If you permit, he will hand it over to you.
The minister further introduced him to me as the executive director of the NGO TUSHTI Sansthan. TUSHTI is an acronym for Union of Teachers for Students' Holistic Training Initiative. Mr. Vallabha gestured to put forward the invitation card on the table.
"Proceed!" Gurudev allowed him.
Mr. Vallabha forwarded the invitation card to gurudev.
Mr. Vallabha Patel: You are formally invited as chief guest of the 3-day long programme 'The cultural codes of Bharata' which will be organized by our NGO TUSHTI Sansthan in the grandiose hall of Saksham Institute of Sahitya and Abhinaya (SISYA). It's a nation-wide call to the highly acclaimed professors, the religious spokesmen, the renowned sportsperson, the famous theatre artists, business entrepreneurs, industrialists, the reputed doctors, proficient artists, prominent literary writers and singers, the engineers and the architects of the nation. You may add some more names to the list on your wish.
Gurudev: I do. I want to add the name of 'Agastya' in the list. He is the true 'Sishya' one can define in this age.
Gurudev: (looking towards me) Get ready Agastya. You will company me to the national capital. You will have to address the large assembly of prominent figures of our nation. You have been given a huge responsibility. Leave everything else and focus on your speech these fifteen days.
Luckily, I got a golden opportunity to address the whole nation on the cultural codes of Bharata. This option opened the windows for my pledge directed towards transformational movement in the cultures and attitudes of the people of the nation. I am grateful to gurudev to have me address the culturati from all the corners on the opportune occasion of the Republic Day.
When I returned to my room that day, Dakshit called me on the phone to inform about the average TRP rating of 'Paridhaan: Ek Katha, Ek Pratha'. He further informed that his stocks of his new produce was increasing day-by-day and he wouldn't have enough space to store them if the deflated demands continued for further fifteen days. He was worried of his decreasing scale of demand from all round the nation. And if such situation had continued for a month, his company might have reached the downtracks of being swept away from the market.
Dakshit: (on the phone) I have not called you to allege the failure on you. I believe that you must have a way out of this. Please, show me the way and I shall follow.
Me: This is not your failure Dakshit. You are an entrepreneur and you must be ready to accept these market conditions. Right now, first of all you have to get the serial postponed for fifteen days. I can assure you that after fifteen days, when the programme is on air, it will receive a high TRP rating. Second, do not control your production level whatever happens. If you require a warehouse for properly facilitated for your produce, I will talk to the Panchayat of Dugdhu where we can open the gates of Manohari Garments Factory to use its warehouse for some days.
However, I assured him of having the warehouse of Manohari Garments opened but I knew that Roopasthali Co. won't let that happen at any cost. It was the Roopasthali Co. that had organised the ramp-walk festivals in the Jaigarh City in order to de-escalate the growth of Rivaaze Vastra Udhyog.
The watchdog Utkarsha commented on the affairs of the Panchayat of Dugdhu village that it had not complied with the procedural codes written down by Acharya Abhiram respective to its responsiveness towards the complaints of the villagers against illegal damping of wastes in the lake area. As said by the Acharya, if a person polluted the areas like natural lakes, rivers, sanctimonious sites, schools and the VDC office, s/he has to pay the penalty of the cost of one gram of gold (the relevant market price) everyday until it is cleaned after s/he has been sent the notice from the VDC. Similarly, if any business or a company used such places as their wastage dumping site, whether by permission or not, shall have to pay the cost of ten grams of gold (the relevant market price) everyday until it is cleaned once it has been sent the notice. Further, if any official permitted any individual or any business to use such places as wastage dumping site shall be confined to a year of imprisonment. Jaidev and the rest members of the Panchayat reached the office of Roopasthali Co. where by coincidence Mahima was present at the time. When the notice was drawn by the VDC to the company, Mahima commanded Mr. Basanta to buy an appropriate field for its wastage dumping site and until it's done, he was asked either to pay the penalty from his pocket or find a better place. The Utkarsha further proposed the Panchayat to forward the idea of opening Manohari Garments Factory where it could use the open ground as wastage dumping site for not more than a week. When this news reached to the ears of Visvarak, he was infuriated but could do nothing. Durjaya, too, couldn't help him against the voice of the villagers. I took the opportunity and called Dakshit to request the Panchayat to let the warehouse of the factory be opened for its storage facility for which Rivaaze Vastra Udhyog pay the rent of Rs.2500 per day for fifteen days. The Panchayat was bound to allow him use the warehouse.
Dakshit called me again to express his thanks for me.
Me: Dakshit, I am moving to home for these fifteen days. I mayn't available on phone anytime but I will manage myself to text or call you sometime. Take care of your enterprise and we shall meet soon.
I had booked a ticket to my hometown. I informed it to Bhanu too.