My friend Sidhan"s brother is a small time
business man but not too successful one at that.
So when one his friends him invited him to be a
�junior partnership in a building venture
he was only too happy.
They together coaxed a man who owned a piece
of land to let them build an apartment in that
land as a joint venture.
The application was submitted to the panchayath office,
complete in all formalities and complying with all rules.
The authorities called them for an interview to decide on
the fate of the project.
"You have complied with all the rules and stipulations and
there is no problem in sanctioning the project" the officer
told him.
A member of the panchayath too was present in the
office. The "member" as he is addressed, shook his his head
in agreement as the officer told them that.
Sidhan"s brother was very happy.
Another large builder had got a sanction for a big project
with some difficulty. He felt lucky to have his project
sanctioned so easily.
"But even if you get the sanction you will not be able to
build the apartment" the "member" and the officer told him
with great sympathy.
There will be "problems" during construction. They can get over
those problems for him easily, they told him. They have to get
the road in a good shape and they will have to make good
drainage facilities for the project.
Of course all those things cost money.
"You donate a small amount of money and we will see that
things go smoothly" They advised him.
The small amount turned out to be only about ten thousand
rupees for each flat and another small amount for incidental
expenses. All put it will be only a small amount of about
two and half lakhs.
"Two and a half lakhs nothing? See what Orange a Day
had spent on their project. They donated ten lakhs.
Of course they are misers. But you are not a kanjoose"
Sidhan"s brother's shirt was only partly wet in that AC room.
"You do not have to donate in one lot.
Give us about fifty thousand every month"
There were a lot of consultations and discussions
and at the end of the meeting the deal was fixed for one lakh
to be paid in two small installments.

PS. I typed this small piece in three small installments.
In between each installment power failed only three times
Mera Bharath Mahan
Incidentally tomorrow is republic day