Athithi Devo Bhavah – Independence Day Greetings!

First, I would like to extend my heartiest wishes to the people of this great country, on their Independence Day.

For this country has hosted me, a foreigner and given life to my ambitions, aspirations and wishes. I came to this country, with huge investment plans. But this place gave the scare of my life in the beginning. Though I am well settled now and prospering, it took a lot of time and effort for me to come to this position. This is my story on how I did it.

I am one of those who got excited, when I thought I would be in India. India is a huge market for my business. “I can grow and prosper in that country a lot”- I thought.

I used to think and feel elated about the products and services that I can enable in India.  I can solve some of India’s problems from population to poverty, while making huge money and fame for myself.

It was a rosy picture all the way. I was dying for the moment to land in India. I was dying for the moment to get into India’s market and start my products and services.

My problems started right from the moment I and my business associates landed in the airport. The immigration officials did not find our papers proper and we were detained. I did not like it, but thought it is an one-off incident. Our Indian partner was also detained along with us, just because he was facilitating us.

And it turned out very difficult to get out, given all the stupid procedures and slow working culture of Indians. But our Indian partner was a politically well connected person. He called the right shots in Delhi, right at the top. Then telephone calls flew everywhere and we were released along with him. All of us landed in our partners farmhouse in the outskirts of the Indian Capital, New Delhi.

If we had not been allowed that time, we would have lost precious time. We would have never been able to survive and prosper in this country. I really thank from the bottom of my heart, those powers-that-be that facilitated my entry in time.

I did not mind this incident. It was just a business hassle, I thought, nothing unusual. Anyway there were sufficient loopholes that could get me out.

Food was the next problem. Whatever these guys eat, it is hot and fried. They swallow it hot and hot. I am always used to cold stuff. Hence I had to find partners who would eat cold stuff. But people who drink cold and eat half-cooked stuff are very minimal in this country. Hence my business looked bleak. I lacked partners as well as customers.

Either I needed to change my business approach or these people needed to change. I changed my business approach. I observed that mobile telecom was the most successful business in the last few years in this country. So I also decided to go wireless and mobile. That is, I started going on Air.

But then I did not like the climate. It is very hot, dry or extremely humid in places. Ofcourse  air-conditioners are there everywhere. So it was not that difficult. But I needed to face the outside world at times and in those times, I really felt bad.

And then the cultural habits of the people. I found most of them fold hands and greet. They don’t even do a handshake.  But then it was changing. Most people were aping westerners and shaking hands now. That was a welcome change for me.

But one thing I should acknowledge. Indians seriously take their principle of “Athithi Devo Bhavah”. They treated me, their guest, as almost God and allowed me access to nook and corner of their country. They did not mind me setting up shop anywhere.  In fact their lacklustre attitude facilitated me very much. I rolled my products and services out anywhere I liked.

Once I know how to work my way through the system, I found customers and partners in every nook and corner of this country. These people became mere consumers. This country proved again it is the best place in the world to do any business.

I first thought I would seriously face competition in this country. I had made several plans and alternate plans to face competition and evolve successfully. I threw all of them into dustbin after some time.

For there is no competition from anywhere, any quarters. It was like almost Pepsi and Coke rolling out and snuffing out their soft-drink competitors just in a jiffe. Even the Government did not anticipate the pace at which I grew my business.  Before they could get their acts together, my businesses were there almost everywhere.

I really thank the people of this great country for hosting me and my businesses. As usual I came as an Athithi to this country, but have acquired Indian passport now. I have married here and have got kids here. This is my country from now on. Currently I am operating from Maharashtra and Pune in particular.

Aahh. Before I forget, my name is a series of alpha-numeric called ‘ah1n1’. People abroad have given me different nick-names one of which is swine flu virus.

In future, my children will grow up in this country with their own unique flavors. We will be permanent citizens of India and be an example to its Unity in Diversity.

-TBT

PS:

This is purely meant for Satire. I am sure we are going to get this unwanted guest out in no time. If not it will find we are not as fragile as its other customers were. So relax. Enjoy our independence day.

Happy Independence Day to all.