The bank needs 3.5 lakh like now. Else our account will become NPA. Ok. So we are just wondering how to close a project asap. And get an advance. That is like a herculean task.
I mean we are discussing with two potential clients. But two is just that. two. And the probability of closure is well, about 0.5. I mean we have no choice but to believe that ‘miracles’ can and do happen. And we need one right now.
The real estate guys are very clear. ‘Bribe’ to deni hi padegi. The AAI (Airport Authority Of India) will have to be fed. And then of what use will be our presentation (even if it uses GIS or generates a DTM or is accurate vis a vis the earth coordinates) The presentation then is just a protocol to be followed. The real decision would have already been taken behind closed doors. Obviously, a huge investment would not have been planned without the involvement of senior officials. The indication being that we should therefore lower our prices, to accomodate the bribe amount. How can one argue in such a context? I mean where is our case? Do we even have a case? All I said was that maybe then they could ‘cut,copy,paste’ slides from the net and complete the formality. Why should they pay anything to anyone. All the money could be saved for the bribe. Money over technology. And the statement was ‘that in search of intellectual satisfaction’, they could not forget that their primary aim is ‘to make money’. So basically spending money on a GIS based accurate presentation of geography and height would be a waste of money. What an ego boost for us!
Appu’s dance was awesome today. The entire school congratulated her on the choreography, the energy and the coordination among the various members of her team. And as I sat in her school watching her perform, I felt that I was in a different era. An era where unity, honesty, transparency had some meaning. Appu took on this responsibility solely to put up a good performance for her house. She arranged the costumes, she did the choreography and the motivational jazz for all the other members.The satisfaction of a job well done. That was the only reward. How many of us can claim to have that motivation for doing anything?
I felt very happy and proud sitting there. Of course what happened yesterday evening is another story. The lehenga had to be altered, some cosmetics had to be bought( we have none in the house) and basically there was mayhem. But everything fell into place finally and the performance was stupendous. It was a rare moment for me as a mother.
And I was also thinking that the school is like a space in four walls where the students bow respectfully to the teachers, they pray, they talk of hard work and integrity. Outside the four walls is a completely different story. And maybe that is why some of us continue our education for ages. To continue to live in this space. Because the real world is so scary.
To continue in ‘ the age of innocence’.
