Posted on Saturday, 30 August 2003
Bombay... ( now Mumbai)... a place where hundreds of thousands of people from all over India pour in every year. The most populous city of the country... but it is still a gigantic magnet, its power increasing every year. Most immigrants have a few hundred rupees in their pocket and the contact of a distant relative's neighbour's friend's uncle..(you get the drift).Irrespective of this ground reality, they expect this magical city to turn them into millionaires overnight. As one can expect, most dreams are shattered within days; resulting in an increase in slum and chawl residents; too proud to go back empty handed to the villages they came from; and a lucky few add to the rapidly increasing middle class, living in one of Bombay's numerous suburbs.
But there are these 0.001 percent, who , against all odds, make it... make it big. And this story centres around one such successful family, the Shahs, who made their fortune in the sparkling world of diamonds. Mr. Raj Shah is the third generation of Shahs; inheriting and expanding on the business developed by his father and grandfather. His Grandfather, Mr. Dilip Shah had come to Bombay with the typical hundred rupees in his pocket. A generous employer who supported him in branching out on his own; and an uncanny knack for stocking the right quality of diamonds at the right time, resulted in Mr. Dilip Shah developing a large base of well satisfied and trusting clients. His son, Raj's father, Mr. Naren Shah expanded on this client base and was known to be among the top ten members of the trade. And Raj took the business abroad, setting up offices in New York, London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong and Tokyo. It was against the background of these overwhelming successes and the opulent wealth resulting from the successes that Aryan was born and brought up.
The only son of Mr. Raj Shah, heir to this empire, Aryan lacked nothing as he grew up from a little baby to a cherubic toddler to a fun loving teenager. Aryan and his younger sister Anya, brought up by Reena, their mother, were outgoing and friendly; but had strong principles rooted in their loving up bringing and close knit family. Though Raj had to travel often, Reena and Raj shared a deep commitment to each other and to their children; setting an example of closeness and understanding which inspired dedication and loyalty. Reena always tried to more than compensate for Raj's elongated absences by engulfing the children within the folds of her caring and sensitive self. The outcome of this being that, early in life, the children learnt the importance of caring and being sensitive to their family, friends and employees. Thus, they always treated their house keeper, maids, drivers with the utmost respect. The same being their attitude with the office employees of their father, whom they met every Diwali, when there was a pooja (prayer service) organised in the office.
Time flew by, Aryan was soon returning from his B school after gaining an MBA and Anya was in the second year of university, studying medicine and wanting to specialise in pediatrics. The day after Aryan returned; to a lot of rejoicing and distribution of sweets; Raj was expected back from one of his overseas trips. Over the years, in spite of frequent travelling, Reena had always been at the airport to welcome Raj home, and this time like all the times previously; she was there to receive him
That's when it happened...
Posted on Saturday, 30 August 2003
Glass flew in all directions, some pieces with a red tint. Steel rods, bent out of shape, flew 10 metres away. And horrifyingly, bodies...26 people died, 120 injured when a powerful bomb exploded near the reception area of the airport. A brutal act of terrorism, leaving behind a trail of grief and suffering. Reena was identified by her dental records. But for Raj, there was nothing. No information, no identification, no body, no closure.
Orphaned overnight, the Shah siblings were devastated, broken from within.. lost. The rituals for the deaths carried on, the brother and sister barely noticing, just participating as and when told to. Family, friends, acquaintances, employees swarmed the Shah residence, offering sympathy and condolences.
This went on for a week. Then, Aryan was the first of the two to shake himself and face reality. It was Anya's continuous flow of tears that made Aryan awaken to the situation. He had to be strong, for his sake; but more so for Anya's. As he started taking matters in his own hands, gradually the number of concerned relatives and friends started returning to their homes, except for aunt Kanta, Reena's sister and cousin Rohan, Reena's brothers son; and Aryan's closest confidante. Aryan's friend, Billy would drop by everyday. Due to Aryan's overseeing and the capable housekeeper Mrs. Radha, the house started coming to life. Aryan was relieved to see Anya's tears subside as the atmosphere lifted and regained the appearance of normalcy. He encouraged her to restart attending classes.
That evening a clerk from the office came over for Aryan's signatures on a few documents. That's when it dawned on him that it was not just Anya but a business empire who depended on him, whose responsibility he had to shoulder. The reputation built up by his ancestors should not get tarnished. The faith that the employees had in the company should not be lost. And the future of all the people connected with this business should not be trifled with.
"Rohan, could you join me tomorrow. I'd like to go to the office and see what is going on"
"Are you sure, Aryan. I've been managing it with the help of the rest of the office staff. You can take as much time as you need."
Surprised to know of Rohan's involvement, Aryan gratefully thanked him. And then he said "Sooner or later i have to start. My lack of experience and the high expectations make me nervous. Rohan, you will stay at my side till I can pick up the strings of the business?"
Rohan, being a few years older, and being a part of his father's business over the last few years was exactly the kind of mentor Aryan would need in the initial phase.
The cousins agreed to start early the next day.
For the next few years, Aryan channelled all his sorrow, his grief, his pain into the business. The enormous responsibilities on his young shoulders could not be better carried out. Today, seven years later, the business has reached levels never known before. Aryan travels twice as much as Raj ever did. Every well circulated magazine has had Aryan on its cover page at least once.
He tries to provide for Anya in every way possible; not wanting her to lack for anything. But in letting his work absorb him completely, he hasn't realised that what she wants above all is his companionship. Anya graduated with honours and has completed her M.D. She is currently doing her internship at Mother Theresa's home for children.
They may have found success but happiness still eludes the siblings.
Posted on Tuesday, 2 September 2003
"Suno ji"... (listen ji... ji is used by traditional Indian wives who do not call their husbands by name) Are you listening ji..finally our prayers are answered. The Nipa Nivas farmhouse has been let out . One of our daughters is going to be settled soon. Oh what fun it will be. I will have a say in redecorating the Nipa Nivas rooms; specially the dining area does need attention.."
"Are they appointing you the decorator for the house? Dear wife, I had no idea you had the qualifications. How much are they paying you?" Mr. Biren remarked.
"Paying me.. oh tish tosh.. you know nothing. I'm planning on one of our daughters marrying the new resident Mr. Billy and becoming mistress of Nipa Nivas. Then we shall redecorate it together. Oh such luck. To be a mistress of such a lovely house and the amount of land attached to it. The beautiful gardens...what time tomorrow?"
"What time tomorrow for what, dear."
Mrs. Biren as usual jumped from one thought to another in a fuzzy logic pattern, unique to her brain.
Why ji, you take pleasure in vexing me. Its so clear. You will visit him tomorrow and invite him for dinner. He will meet one of our daughter there and fall in love. I hear he is orphaned so thankfully no parents will interfere" Mrs. B prattled on, in her crude style, listing the advantages of being orphaned. At the end of her monologue, she looked around to see an empty room; Mr. Biren had long since escaped to his study.
Very few farmhouses in Bombay can boast of a study or a library. Most farmhouse owners fall in 2 categories, those who want a weekend getaway and those who actually work on a farmhouse for their incomes. Mr. Biren is neither. Within a year of his retirement from his job as a professor in one of the city's most reputed colleges, Mr. Biren had decided to quit Bombay. He longed for some distance from the fast pace of Bombay, but was not willing to move too far. Mr. Biren zeroed in on Lonavala, a hilltop town in the beautiful mountains of the Western Ghats. The farmhouse he confirmed had a bit of land, animals, a beautifully decorated flower garden at the front and a well maintained vegetable garden at the back. It had the perfect balance that Mr. Biren was looking for...enough activities to keep him busy; at the same time an almost non existent level of stress. Far enough from the noise of the city, but near enough that his two eldest daughters could visit him every weekend. And for escape from Mrs. Biren for the rest of the week, he had a library constructed on the ground level of the house.
This brings us to his daughters, of whom everyone is supposed to have heard a lot. The eldest, Janhvi, was a kindergarten teacher at Gymboree at Bandra, a fast growing suburb in central Bombay. She shared an apartment with her sister who was the exact opposite of her; thus challenging every genetics theory on similarities of people from the same gene pool. Janhvi had soft brown eyes, lovely long hair that reached her waist, a finely chiseled face that halted many a young man in his tracks; and the immense love and patience her job demanded. And Neha, at first sight she blended in. Not an outstanding beauty like Janhvi or a compulsive flirt like Lia (we'll come to her later). . Outwardly, she appeared aggressive and impatient. Her short crop of hair (low maintenance!), her spectacles (she refused to poke her eyes every morning to put on lenses) and lack of any jewelry or makeup sparked a lot of lectures from her mom. But even Mrs. Biren had to acknowledge the admiration her twinkling eyes generated whenever she was amused. which was often, as she had a sense of humour combined with an observant nature. The only time she dropped the glasses and put on a lovely black cocktail dress was for her graduation party and for once, she almost outshone Janhvi. Those close to her knew her to be challenging and dedicated to her work (research for the Cancer Society of Mumbai). She set high goals for herself and others around her , in the process bringing out the best in her and others. Like a diamond, she was a rare find, only someone with true discernment could realise her worth and treat her right to make her sparkle.
Posted on Saturday, 6 September 2003
"Its lovely out here; the mountains, the waterfalls. quaint farmhouses, friendly locals and just a couple of hours drive from downtown Bombay. Seems like you've hit the nail this time Billy".
"I'm glad you think so Aryan, as i would have never gone ahead otherwise. This farmhouse is not quite as near to town as your Juhu bungalow, but it will do very well for me. You must spend your weekends with me and my family once we are settled in". Billy remarked.
"Oh" he added, "and you must bring Anya along"
The smile on Aryan's face faded, replaced by a look of sorrow. Billy noticed but didn't know what to think. His invitation to Anya was a genuine one. "Oh, Aryan, ummm I didn't mean .... You know.. I mean ..she is your sister but I am not in ..with her I mean she is very nice but .. what my sisters imply its not like that"
Aryan, looking up, realised the confusion he'd put billy under. "Don't worry Billy. I know you are like an older brother to her and she also thinks of you as that"
Relieved, Billy smiled..and smiled .and this went on for a moment or two, making Aryan think his friend had turned into a smiling sculpture.
"This is heaven Aryan heaven! There's an angel to prove it!" Looking behind himself, Aryan saw the source of Billy's loony grin and she was quite pretty.
Waving his hands in front of Billy's face finally made him blink and turn, saying "Hi Aryan, when did you come?" Aryan, giving up on Billy turned to the third gentleman with them, Mr. Harshad, Billy's brother in law.
"Lets get out of here and get a meal". Sure shot way of getting Harshad's attention!
Lia bounded into the house with the usual ruckus she created every time. Janhvi and Kitty followed behind. "Mom, Dad, We're home. Where are you? Mom, mommy...Oh there you are .. mom I have the most exciting news ever.. I saw the new tenant of Nipa Nivas and he is so handsome and his car is the sleekest sportscar I've ever seen and he has two other gentlemen with him. One was decidedly handsome and well dressed and the other was fat and old and will do very well for Kitty!"
"Oh no make her stop mom" wailed Kitty. "I am older than her and I should get to choose first. And I will keep the young handsome man for myself!" Mrs. Biren, highly excited at the news, quite resembled her two younger teen age daughters, giggling and tittering, squealed, "Oh we must capture the men dear girls and then I shall be the proud mom of the youngest married girls of our community."
Biren stood at the doorway of the room and amusedly noted "If it were not for Janhvi, the total IQ in this room would definitely be less than the total age of the people in this room". Ketna and Lia had definitely taken after their mom; interested in clothes, hair accessories and wealthy would be suitors. Lia had acquired the notion that life was a race in getting married and she swore she would beat all her sisters to the mandap (altar). Mrs. Biren did nothing except give her blessings to Lia "ambition" and took pride in training her daughter with the "right" attitude. On her own, Ketna was quite sensible but she couldn't take Lia's jibes sportingly and reduced to her level whenever in her company.