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VIVEK
Vivek climbed the patio of his uncle’s home along with Arjun. He glanced at his uncle’s car, parked in the garage. “Uncle is at home.”
He rang the doorbell and waited.
The flower pots, placed on the veranda, were wet, and a blooming bougainvillea was watered with a green hose. The smell of fresh roses and jasmine filled the air.
His uncle, in his striped blue night suit, looked through the window and smiled. He opened the door. “Welcome.”
Vivek smiled and went inside. He had visited there a couple of years ago along with his father to attend a private function. Vivek got attached to Pankaj after his father died, and he treated him like his Dad. Pankaj was just four years younger than his father, and they almost looked like.
“Hi, Uncle.” Arjun greeted him as he walked in.
“Hello, Arjun.” Pankaj smiled. “How are things with you?”
“Going well, uncle.”
Vivek and Arjun unlaced their shoes.
Pankaj led them to the living room.
The walls were adorned with medium-sized modern art paintings. A large size glass light was hung in the center of the ceiling. An air conditioner kept the room moderately cool.
Vivek and Arjun sat on the large sofa. His uncle made himself comfortable on the smaller one.
“How is Prabha?” Vivek’s uncle asked. “Is she taking her medication?”
“Yes, and She’s feeling comfortable. My decision to live with her worked out well.”
“You are correct. You made the right decision” His uncle shifted his gaze to Arjun. “Vivek is going to live in Hubli. We need to help him in his business ventures.”
“Sure, Uncle,” Arjun said. “I will help him to whatever extent is possible.”
“Vivek, are we visiting a few centers today?” Pankaj asked.
“Yes, uncle,” Vivek said. “We need to get to know the currently operating ones before we start ours.”
“Sure, we will.” Pankaj paused for a moment and then said, “Arjun, what do you think about Vivek’s decision?” He tilted himself towards Vivek. “Is it going to be profitable?”
“Yes,” Arjun said. “But he will start to make money only when people find out about it. We need to advertise and market the brand well.”
“I’m sure we’ll get more students if we stand out from the rest,” Vivek said. “I’ve gained practical knowledge in computer science. That makes a lot of difference in teaching the subjects.”
“I know you’re brimming with confidence,” Pankaj drummed his fingers on the armrest. “No doubt you will succeed in your endeavors”
“I agree with you, Uncle,” Arjun said. “I know a couple of my friends who have started a similar business. We will meet them and discuss it in detail.”
They had an informal chat for a few minutes before they went out.
Vivek steered the car and joined the main street. “What are the subjects these institutions are offering?”
Arjun, sitting in the passenger’s seat, straightened himself. “I guess they are teaching C and C++ languages. They won’t find experienced teachers to teach advanced courses. Many students go to Bangalore for learning courses like .net and Java.”
Vivek sighed with relief. “It would be an advantage for us. We can prepare the course manual for all the advanced courses. I can teach better with my practical knowledge and our courses can be project-oriented. I can make the newly passed student industry-ready.”
“That makes sense,” Pankaj said, seated in the rear seat. “Students will surely like more informative course contents.”
Arjun directed Vivek towards their destination.
Vivek parked the car and they all went upstairs to a suite of offices. His glance shifted to the board with Gurukul Education Centre written on it.
Arjun led them inside, pushing the glass door. The smell of disinfectant permeated in the air.
A lady receptionist, fair and petite, smiled at them. Her oblong face with a not so long nose was applied with cream and talcum powder. Her small nose ring and medium-sized earring glittered in the fluorescent light.
“How can I help you?” She ran her eyes over them.
“I would like to meet my friend Ravi,” Arjun said.
“Ravi sir is not here.” She smiled. “He has gone outside a while ago.”
“When will he be back?” Vivek asked.
“Maybe, in an hour or so.”
“I’m Arjun. Can we wait until Ravi comes?” Arjun said, “We want to meet him today.”
“Sure.” The lady ushered them to an open space in front of her cabin. “I’ll call Ravi and let him know.”
They sat on silver metallic chairs in the lounge. Vivek glanced at the interiors built with glass. The classrooms had whiteboards placed in front of the black metallic chairs.
A large size office, having a mahogany table and a leather chair, was built opposite the classrooms. Half a dozen metallic chairs were placed in front of the table. It must be Ravi’s cabin.
Two smaller cabins were built beside the larger one, perhaps meant for additional instructors. The visitor's lounge in the center had a dozen chairs and it had a steel container meant for drinking water.
An instructor was teaching in one of the classrooms. Muffled conversation filtered through the glass walls.
“This center is designed very well.” Vivek broke the silence.
“Yes, I too like it,” Vivek’s uncle said.
“I like the transparency,” Arjun added. “Ravi can monitor the classes being conducted and can see the arrival of the visitors. Most of the coaching centers have a similar design.”
Vivek glanced at the receptionist. She was on the phone, perhaps talking to Ravi.
“Don’t you think the number of students is too low,” Pankaj said as he stared at the classroom.
“Yes, only a dozen of them,” Vivek said.
“Maybe they teach in groups.” Arjun turned to Vivek. “Don’t hesitate to ask any questions to him.”
A vision statement, written on a golden board, caught Vivek’s attention. The institution’s motto was to inculcate knowledge to young generations. Vivek was glad the center was not money-oriented, but for providing good education to the students.
Vivek’s glance shifted to the main door. A man in a red tie and a blue shirt entered. His glance shifted to Vivek and others.
The receptionist rose and smiled at the man.
“There he is,” Arjun said, breathing heavily. He waved his hand at Ravi.
Ravi smiled and approached. “Hey, Arjun, what’s up?”
“I’m doing well. Please meet my friend, Vivek and his uncle, Pankaj.”
They all shook hands.
“Please come with me.” Ravi ushered them to his office.
“So, how is business going?” Arjun asked. “Are you getting enough students?”
“Going well, but has slowed down since the last quarter.”
Arjun told Ravi the reason for their visit. He told Vivek to ask any questions he had.
“Are you offering any advanced courses like Java and .Net?” Vivek asked.
“No. It’s difficult to find an instructor who can teach those subjects.”
“Are your teachers knowledgeable in their subjects?”
“Not much.” Ravi shrugged. “It’s one of the reasons why we’re not making much profit.”
“Most of the bright graduates go to Bangalore to become a software engineer,” Pankaj said. “No doubt it will be difficult to get talented ones here. How much money did you invest, to begin with?”
“Around seven to eight lakhs.”
Seven to eight lakhs? It will be difficult for me to arrange that much money. I have a couple of lakhs of rupees in savings. Mum owns a few plots and agricultural land. I should seek her and uncle’s help to fund the business.
“Did you get the bank loan?” Vivek asked.
“Yes,” Ravi said. “Any nationalized bank will be able to help you.”
“How much money are you making?” Vivek raised his brows.
“Well, I can say it’s not that encouraging. This business had become competitive. It depends on how well you market your brand.”
Pankaj looked at Vivek with his jaws dropped.
Vivek was confident in his endeavor. He had gained enough knowledge in advanced courses and can teach well. He was sure his business would be successful. His plan to introduce projects with theory would attract more students. He controlled his urge to ask further; he didn’t want to irk Ravi.
Ravi cleared his throat. He leaned forward. “Why don’t we work together? You have industry knowledge. I provide the entire infrastructure required. You can teach the advanced subjects and handle the software projects,” He bit his lips.
Vivek crossed his arms on his chest. He had decided to set up his own center. He wouldn’t change his mind. He took his business as a challenge and wanted to grow his brainchild.
Vivek gingerly refused Ravi’s offer and thanked him for providing the required information.
Vivek took his uncle and Arjun to a nearby restaurant after meeting Ravi. Soon after ordering the snacks, Vivek said, “It was nice meeting Ravi.” He turned to Arjun. “I’m sorry I refused his request to work together.”
Arjun smiled. “I don’t mind, but you must know to start your own business is a risk. You should run it profitably, and maintain it.”
“Vivek has confidence,” Pankaj said. “No doubt he will emerge successfully.” He turned to Vivek. “Aren’t you, Vivek?”
“Yes,” Vivek said. “Thank you for keeping faith in me. We must aim for better marketing of our brand. Students should know about us. They should enroll in our advanced subjects.”
A waiter came and placed the snacks on the table. The smell of sambhar masala and hot dosa permeated the air.
“Uncle,” Vivek cut the dosa. “I need your help to get the loan.” He shoved it in his mouth.
“Sure. I will help you.” His uncle ate a piece and chewed. “You also search for a suitable location to set up the business. The place should be in the center of the city or nearest to the engineering colleges.”
Vivek nodded. He needed to follow what his uncle suggested. He looked forward to arranging the required money and searching for a proper place to set up his business.