“Thank God at least Riya is on time!” Kamla exclaims, as Shanti smiles and the two friends hug each other in anticipation. Puja’s eyes gleam with a sudden excitement as she spots Riya coming out of the arrivals. She waves vigorously.
“Aunty look…. Riya!”
Riya waves back, as her gait changes from that of a casual walk to one of an exuberant run, as fast as she can manage whilst pushing her heavy luggage trolley. A loud scream of joy startles the bystanders, as the two girls hug each other. An emotional ‘meet and greet’ follows with the rest of the family members. Riya touches the feet of her parents and that of Mr. and Mrs. Sinha. A conundrum of sounds and noises, discussions and gossip, shrieks of joy and laughter fill the atmosphere around for the next few minutes as they all walk out of the airport together.
Out in the open, Riya takes a moment to gaze at the skies and ‘smell’ the atmosphere. This is home! After staying abroad for three years, Riya has completed her studies. She undertook several specialized courses in social philanthropy and entrepreneurship, and had completed numerous assignments with corporate and local organizations in numerous countries.
Now the time has dawned for her to translate her studies into action. This is her new karmabhoomi, her motherland, the land of her future deeds and actions.
It’s truly now time for action!
Management School, Mumbai
The next day, a large auditorium at the Indian School of Management in Mumbai hosts the fresh graduates joining the induction session for the new year. Arjun has joined the Executive MBA, while Riya, like most others, has enrolled in the full-time programme. A networking session over tea and coffee has just got over. The Dean of Student Affairs walks onto the stage and takes the microphone.
“A warm welcome to the class of 2015-16 and their respective guests.” The Dean pauses to look at the balcony above, where the guests of the students are enjoying a nice view. “I am Professor Sahay and I am extremely glad to welcome a new batch of students in front of us; a batch which is diverse, not only including students from India but from all over the world. I sincerely hope that we will have a fantastic year ahead together. I’ll throw the floor open to the students to introduce themselves. So please share the podium with me and tell me about yourself and also take any questions from your classmates. To be specific, I want to know about your background, what you believe in and what you want to learn from us. So without much ado, ladies and gentlemen, a big round of applause for the students of the class of 2015!”
Students walk to the stage to introduce themselves as their names are called. Riya is seated mid-way in the hall and is eagerly looking around from her seat. She spots Puja up on the balcony, coincidentally also looking down at her. The other family members are also seated above in the balcony. As her name is called in next, Riya gets up and walks gracefully on to the stage. She is wearing a lovely black suit and holds the microphone as she looks across the large auditorium.
“Hello everyone. I am Riya Saxena. Before applying for this course, I completed my Masters from Nanyang University, in the field of social entrepreneurship. I want to do an MBA so that I can learn the ethics and culture of management and corporate business. I want to start a unique consultancy after school, one that would be based on the principles of philanthropy and that would help organizations in the implementation of their social and green strategy. At the same time, it’s important that organizations see this as a commercially viable strategy.”
“Miss Saxena, don’t all big organizations have a green and social strategy already?” One of the students raises a question.
“Yes, you are right. Most do. But how many of them are really more than mere lip service?” She pauses for a while to look around, quickly glancing at the empty seat behind her row, which should have been occupied by Arjun.
“After returning to India I feel overwhelmed that I am with my own people,” she quickly looks up at Puja, “… I am with the people I love… and that after my MBA I could work for the betterment of my country. Thank you, everyone.”
There’s the customary applause from the audience, as Riya gets off the stage and the next name is called. Riya returns to her seat and turns around to look back at the empty seat three spaces to her right. Inaudible background noises continue as other students are introducing themselves. Intermittent clapping and cheering, mixed with hushed discussions continue for a while in the auditorium. Soon, Arjun’s name is called. As there is no response, the announcement is repeated. Riya shakes her head, disappointed that her childhood friend is not going to make it.
“Arjun Sinha!” A loud booming voice expresses the sentiment of the announcer that he is ready to move on to the next name. There’s a long pause, and then suddenly someone rushes through the auditorium doors.
“Yes sir!” Arjun jogs swiftly down the flight of stairs. He spots Riya looking at him, and as he runs two stairs at a time down the passage, he waves and smiles at Riya. Riya reciprocates with a half-smile at him. Soon, Arjun gets on to the stage and grabs the mike.
“Hello everyone! I’m so glad to be here! … Thank God! Finally! … I’m Arjun Sinha. I recently completed my research specializing in VLSI design and nuclear physics from the University of Cern. And before I joined this course, I worked in Europe and the USA. I had a stint with my start up back in California, in Information Security after my graduation in software engineering from UCLA…. I am here at this school…”, he pauses to look at Riya, “… to explore myself.”
One of the students stands up to question Arjun, “Explore yourself? Buddy, electronics, VLSI, nuclear physics, software engineering… why are you exploring here, you should go to the Himalayas, right?” He chuckles as the audience enjoys the sarcasm in the question.
“You are right my friend! Everyone who hears about my background says the same thing: a Jack of all trades! But you know the sages on the Himalayas told me, ‘My dear son, self-realization is the route to enlightenment!’ And they also told me that knowledge is the route to that self-realization.” Arjun continues emphatically, “My friends, knowledge is power. It enables us to make the right choices and judge correctly – what is right … or wrong? And right knowledge leads to right action. I strongly believe that if everyone starts thinking in the right way and is empowered to translate those thoughts into actions, then just imagine a world of empowered and knowledgeable people, who would understand the futility of wars, castes, creeds, political divides, creating a peaceful and prosperous world. And everything starts with right knowledge. That’s what I’m looking for in this school over the coming year.”
Another student stands up with a question- “Arjun, I’ve heard that before joining the school, you sold your California start-up to a Swiss multinational.”
“Yes. You are right.”
“And I’ve also heard that the company sold those information security products to a few Swiss banks that have been in the news because of alleged involvement in hawala and black money scandals… So in a way your products have made it easier for black money to be protected from international scrutiny? Right?”
Arjun nods smiling gently.
“Firstly I’d like to say you really do read newspapers around the world!” Everyone laughs. “OK, tell me friends… if an accident happens, do you blame the car or the driver? When Einstein shared the mystery of the power of the atom, E=mc2 with the world, it was a revelation from a pure genius. Within the nucleus of the atom, E=mc2 holds the solution to resolve the world’s energy crisis. But we all know that this same discovery, this same nucleus is used to manufacture deadly nuclear weapons that threaten our very existence on this earth. And all this has been done by us. Friends, whatever exists in this world, good or bad, is because of us; we have made this world the way it is today. And so the power to change it also rests with us. What is required is to recognise it, and to realize it through right knowledge and right actions.”
At this point the Dean standing at the other podium on the stage decides to tak
e over, “A beautiful thought indeed Mr. Arjun. It’s the people that change the world. Ladies and gentlemen, people development is absolutely integral to the economic and social well-being of our country. And I’m proud to say that our managerial and people development courses, social and philanthropy courses are amongst the best not only in India but across the world. I’d also credit it to our alumni, who have earned a good reputation and left a mark on the world through their commercial acumen and ethical principles. In a world of financially motivated businessmen I’d encourage students to read about entrepreneurs like Jon Huntsman, who have shown the world that business is also about giving back to the society. Thank you Mr. Sinha for your introduction and for the interesting discussions.”
Arjun walks off the stage and goes to his seat, a row just behind Riya’s seat. On his way back he taps Riya’s shoulder waving her a “Hi!”
Riya shyly looks half way back, and responds meekly, “Hi”, extremely conscious that a few girls sitting next to her have turned around to notice the disturbance. Other students continue their introductions and soon the Dean is about to deliver his closing speech. Arjun taps Riya’s shoulder again, “Riya!” and he gestures with his eye and hand to follow him. Riya feels embarrassed as the Dean is still not through with his speech on the stage. She looks around to her friends, smiles awkwardly to excuse herself, gets up and follows Arjun outside the auditorium.
“Hey! So nice to see you!” Arjun opens his arms to hug her.
“Hi! Nice to see you too.” Riya shyly hugs him. “How have you been? Fashionably late as usual! But what a speech, Arjun! …You never miss an opportunity to preach your two pence, don’t you?”
“My two pence? Ha ha!” he winks, “Yeah, you know very well… I have always believed that just achieving a goal isn’t good enough… it has to be achieved through righteousness! So I thought I should make my first speech count! ”
The induction session is now over as other students are slowly coming out of the auditorium. Arjun is soon surrounded by several guys and girls, a few of his old friends who have joined the school as well. Riya is surrounded by her friends in turn; she looks at Arjun to coincidentally exchange glances at the same time, and both immediately revert to the discussions in the midst of their respective friends.
Something tells Riya that this year in school is going to be extremely interesting… and eventful too. She is extremely eager to rekindle an old acquaintance, with her best friend from childhood, Arjun.
Re-igniting an Old Friendship
That night, the Sinha and Saxena families throw a party to welcome Arjun and Riya back home. Arjun is in his room, busily and vehemently typing on his computer. He is frowning, as he is engrossed in his work.
Puja enters and immediately expresses her frustration that her brother has not bothered to get ready yet for the party specifically thrown for him.
“Bhaiyya! Please go and take a bath now! The guests have already started coming downstairs. Come on, please shut down your laptop now!”
Arjun ignores her, continuing his work, “Just give me ten minutes Puja.”
Riya enters the room at that moment, wearing a lovely evening dress and looking extremely elegant and beautiful. Arjun whistles, with a view to tease her, “Who is this new girl in town? In your childhood you used to be a tomboy, Riya, following me around in all my games– when did you turn into a girl?”
“Very funny!” Riya is not amused.
“OK, but at least tell me this; did you continue your crazy childhood activities as an adult? You used to climb trees with me, use the slingshot to shatter windows … (pauses)… goli, kabaddi… you used to follow me in all my games remember?! Ha ha! … Miss Riya, never afraid to take on any challenges, playing in the mud with boys… I went away for a few years and look at you; you completely changed. I didn’t expect this from you!” He jokingly makes a face to express fake disappointment.
“I’m still the same today! Try me if you want to!”
Arjun nods and chuckles with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
Puja is annoyed with Arjun having a go at her friend, “And what do you have to say about yourself, your highness? You were as lazy then, as you are now. You didn’t learn a single thing after so many years. … You couldn’t even make it to the airport on time! Thank goodness at least you made it to the auditorium. (Both the girls giggle) And now, will your highness bother getting up and going to the bathroom to get ready? C’mon now just shut the laptop and end work for the day.”
“Just give me two minutes, Puja! We will be ready soon. Takhliya …” He waves his hand to gesture them to leave.
“Very funny! Takhliya my foot!” Puja shouts back, “Please finish your work quickly… otherwise it won’t be good for you!”
“Well, that’s harassment! There’s no goodness left in this world anymore. There used to be a time when sisters would bring tea and biscuits for their brothers while they worked.”
“Oh yes of course! Why not! Here you go!” Puja punches Arjun on his arm, “is that sweet enough?”
After a brief moment of banter and laughter, Arjun gets back to his work, typing rapidly into his laptop. The girls chat and gossip, catching up on all the missed years. After a few minutes, Puja looks at her watch. Arjun is still engrossed in his work, typing on his laptop.
Puja, coming closer to Arjun, “And your time stops … 5.4.3.2.1 … Over!”
“One minute more please, Puja. Just one minute… Promise!”
“No more time, bhaiyya.” Puja turns to Riya “He won’t agree this way,” Arjun is not listening as Puja gestures to Riya with her wiggling fingers. “Looks like formula number 420 should be used! Tickle monster coming your way! Ok, time’s up!”
She shuts the laptop loudly and both the girls start tickling Arjun.
“Hey c’mon don’t be kids! Stop it Puja.”
Shouting and giggling continues as they tickle him around his waist and neck. Arjun grabs Puja and throws her on to the bed. All of them fall together on to the bed as Puja holds on to Riya and drags her down as well. Fun, laughter and frolic continue until they are tired and Puja, lying next to Arjun, hugs him in a sentimental mood.
“I missed you bhaiyya. I missed you so much!” Tears fill her eyes as she hugs Arjun.
“I missed you too my sister. I missed you a lot.”
Riya has got off the bed and smiles at Arjun as he looks at her over Puja’s shoulder. However, Puja doesn’t let Arjun go. When he does take her off to look at her face, she has actually started crying, with big tears pouring down her cheek.
“Hey, what’s this, sis? I don’t want any floods in my room! If you have to do this, you two better go back to your room!”
“We have done it already in our room.” Puja chuckles, looking at Riya, “I’ve met my friend after such a long time!” She gets up to hug Riya, “My soul mate!”
“OK. C’mon get lost you two! Go on. I’ll be down in a few minutes. Promise.”
The girls leave the room as Arjun returns to work, continuing to type intently on to his computer. After another ten minutes, he finally shuts down his computer and goes to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, the party downstairs has kicked off in full swing. Girls and guys are playing antakshari, a game of songs. Puja spots Arjun in the distance and waves at him. Arjun waves back but is busy meeting and greeting his old friends. He eventually comes to Puja and she tries to pull him into the game. Arjun tries to avoid it.
It’s Riya’s turn to have a go at Arjun this time, “Forget it Puja. Anyway, boys are going to lose so no point him joining them!”
“Yes, you are right Riya!” Puja reciprocates, “Loser! Loser! Loser!”
“Shut up! Puja!”
“What good is it trying to shut me up? If you are not a loser, join the game and play! Then we will see!”
The fun and frolic continues as Arjun joins the antakshari game. Both Arjun and Riya are extremely delighted to meet their respective old friends… and getting introdu
ced to new ones.
It’s a new re-acquaintance for Arjun. He did visit his homeland intermittently, but it’s almost after ten years that he has returned to his country, to live here forever. The passion, the life, the friends… he never felt the same abroad.
Nothing feels quite like being back home!
ACT 2: VISION…FORMULATING A STRATEGY
4 months ago
Strategy 101
It is now a couple of months into the first semester. The new batch of students at the MBA school have been extremely busy. Arjun and Riya have got along well, and reignited their old friendship. A full house awaits Professor Ramachandran for the Strategy 101 class in the school.
“Good morning, everyone. Today’s class is on strategy. For a start, can anyone define strategy? And what is the origin of this word ‘strategy’?”
A smart-looking, well-built student slowly raises his hand.
“Yes, Vishal.”
“Sir, strategy is what companies devise to generate more sales and revenue.”
“Good. So, by using the correct strategy, companies can generate more revenues. Is that it?” The professor pauses, and spots Riya raising her hand. “Yes, Riya?”
“Sir, strategy is about winning by considering all eventualities and exploiting the resources at hand to develop a unique competitive advantage.”
“Right, strategy is about winning… about competitive advantage. Good. So where do you think ‘strategy’ came from, Riya? When was it first used in literature?”
“Sir the oldest book on strategy may be… Art of War … 500 BC?”
“Yes, good. Strategy is about winning over competition. And Vishal, companies use strategy to win market share and generate more revenues. The phrase strategy was coined through its first use in warfare. In Indian history, the biggest strategist was perhaps Chanakya. He used the right strategy to create a unified and a financially prosperous empire. So strategy is as much about vision as about planning and eventual execution. And as we know Chanakya was not just a strategist, but also a great economist and a politician too.”
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