C4 CHAPTER-4

Once out on the street however his mood improved drastically. He started humming his favourite song and winked at Rajeev as he noticed a bevy of beautiful girls pass by. “The babes here know very well how to attract the male gaze, you know I have been to Mumbai once with my dad and I must say that while that place has quality, Delhi has quantity”, Akhil whispered to Rajeev who knew what his friend was talking about but pretended as if he had not heard anything and instead looked around nervously as if he was trying to find out if someone had overheard his friend's comments. “Now come on dude, people here don't have the time or the inclination to listen to our conservation, and even if they do who cares. I feel it's time for you to shed that small-town mentality as it will do you no good here, you will have to be broad- minded and not let your lofty moral values determine every move that you make”, Akhil remarked.

Both of them walked along silently till they reached the auto-stand. “What's our plan for the day”? Akhil called out to Rajeev who was lost in his own thoughts. “Well, hmm, our first stop for the day will be Delhi Business School, after that we will visit Rai Business School and our last stop for the day will be NDIM”. “Ok buddy, let's get going, I guess we have another long and tiring day ahead”, Akhil grumbled. The journey to DBS took quite a while and as they made their way to the office building the scene they witnessed inside the campus was similar to what they had witnessed the other day. There were too many students vying for a limited number of seats.

After waiting for their turn they were called in and as usual Rajeev took the lead in collecting the necessarydetails from the student counsellor while his friend sat almost motionless and disinterested staring at the ceiling. “What happened to you? I guess you didn't like the place. Otherwise I see no reason why you would have kept quiet”, Rajeev enquired on their way out. “Well, I must admit there were a few things that I wanted to ask but then I was wary of that poke in the ribs that you gave me the last time I showed some genuine interest. And since you did a fairly good job I chose not to interfere. Moreover, it does not really matter which institute I decide to join because it is up to you to decide. And I know you will make the right choice”, Akhil replied. “Well, well it would be great if you let me decide a few things and follow my advice on certain issues as it will help you keep away from trouble”, Rajeev replied with a smile as they set out for their next destination. The journey to Rai Business School took less than 20 minutes as it was also located on the busy Delhi- Mathura Road near Badarpur border and hardly a couple of kilometres away from the DBS campus. As they went inside they were impressed by the imposing corporate head office building that also housed the academic wing. It is known as the Espire Campus remarked Akhil as he glanced from one side to another. Let's check out this place and find out what are the courses on offer he called out again as he held the door open for Rajeev.

Once inside they were wondering whom they should approach when a cheerful and friendly looking young man approached them and led them to the student counsellor's office. “Madam is inside; you can collect all the information from her. By the way, I am Ravi Malik, BBA 2nd semester student”. Akhil introduced himself and his friend and a round of handshakes followed. “Thanks for your help Ravi, by the way, how did you know that we wanted to meet the counsellor”? Akhil remarked with a puzzled expression. “It is no rocket science buddy, since it is admission time most of the people who come here are students and when they come here, this is the first place they need to visit. Ok, then guys, I have to leave now, best of luck”! Ravi called out loudly, gave Rajeev a pat on his back and moved swiftly in the direction of a group of boys.

The two of them went inside the office and waited till they were told to sit. A young woman welcomed them and gave them a description about the courses on offer, the impressive list of full-time & part-time faculty members, teaching methodology followed, summer training opportunities and full-time placement offers received by some of the students. Rajeev was however more concerned about the fee structure and the frown on his brow became more visible when he was handed a slip containing the fee details. “You will no doubt agree that good education comes at a price and the investment that you make today for a good degree will give you handsome returns in the future. And we help students to secure bank loans besides offering scholarships to meritorious students coming from economically weaker sections of the society,” the counsellor explained as if she could sense the cause of his ever expanding frown.

“Can I see your mark sheets if you don't mind”, she continued trying to keep the conversation flowing and also to divert their attention to some other issues. “Well Rajeev, as you have done well in your board exams you are eligible for one of the many scholarships that are we are offering while your friend will have to pay the full amount as he does not meet our eligibility criteria for”.....

“Its ok madam”, Akhil interrupted even before she could finish, “I can manage without any kind of fee concession and I don't need any bank loan as well but does your institute provide accommodation to outstation candidates”? “Yes, why not, we provide excellent accommodation facilities to suit the needs of every student at our hostel campus in Faridabad known as the 'Meadows'. Students staying there also have the option of pursuing their studies at our meadows branch where the facilities are comparable to what the students enjoy over here”.

“How far is that place from here? We would like to visit that campus as well before arriving at any decision”, Akhil remarked as he signalled Rajeev to get up.

“Its ok guys take your time. Hire a rickshaw and instruct the rickshaw puller to take you to Meadows, they normally charge ten rupees”, the counsellor replied. “I would request you boys to leave your contact numbers with me so that I can keep in touch with you and assist you in completing the admission formalities”, she continued. “Well, honestly speaking we haven't decided as yet which institute we are going to join and there are a few more places that we want to visit before taking a decision. But we will definitely get in touch with you should we require any further assistance”, Rajeev replied politely as he made his way to the door.

“The rickshaws here are not very spacious”, complained Akhil as he held on precariously to the hand grip while the rickshaw-puller continued pedalling as if he was preparing for the next leg of the Tour de France. The traffic movement was chaotic with those on the move jostling for space while the stationary ones were parked in a haphazard manner. But things improved and traffic movement became smooth once they crossed into Faridabad. As the rickshaw came to a halt right next to the main gate with a huge name plate in the background, the boys were spared the pain of asking for directions after a harrowing rickshaw ride and they went in straightaway without pausing for a moment. They had to cross two security check points and fill the visitor's register after explaining the purpose of their visit before they were escorted to one of the many multi-storied buildings in the campus that served as one of the boy's hostel. After checking out the place they were led to a row of single- storied blocks just adjacent to the basketball court. Even as Akhil & Rajeev went inside one of the few unoccupied rooms where renovation work was on in full swing, the man who accompanied them kept checking his watch every now and then and looking impatiently in the direction of the boys. “Boss, thoda jaldi kijiye, mujhe aap dono ko ek aur building mein leke jana hain”, he called out in a voice that had an unmistakable tinge of anger. Seeing him in such an agitated state, the boys started making their way out of the room even as their guide started walking briskly in the direction of a white-washed building situated behind the main boy's hostel building that they had been to a few minutes ago. “Iss wale hostel mein sirf non- air-conditioned, non- air-cooled kamre hain, aap log jaldi se dekh lijiye”, the man called out again. As all the rooms in that building were occupied the two of them saw no point in inspecting any of them and instead decided to take the long walk back to the main gate. “The main canteen is in the basement of the building to your left, while the cafeteria is located just opposite the warden's office”, the man pointed out without even bothering to look at them while he continued walking at the same brisk pace.

It took quite an effort from the boys to keep up with him and therefore they did not get the opportunity to stop and glance in the directions that he pointed at. But even then Akhil's curiosity was aroused by a building that was set apart from the ones they had been to. It was surrounded by high boundary walls and the entrance was guarded by a number of security personnel some of them even carrying firearms. As soon as the man came to a halt near the main gate Akhil paused for a moment, and after taking a few deep breaths went up to him and thanked him for the guided tour and handed him a fifty rupee note. “By the way, you did not take us to that building on your left; that place looks nice”. “Woh jagah aapke kaam ka nahin hain bhaiya, woh ladies hostel hain”, the man replied with a smile. “I see, well that explains the security around that place, the authorities have left nothing to chance in order to make the ladies feel safe, good for them,”, Akhil whispered to Rajeev even as they walked out after making their entry in the register and thanking the personnel manning the gate. “Well, now what! Let's go and find an eating joint or something, I am dying of hunger”, he continued, his whisper now turning into a growl.

The rickshaw had hardly come to a halt near the Haldiram's outlet when Akhil jumped out and hurried inside. “For a change, he did not grumble about the rickshaw ride this time”, Rajeev thought to himself with a smile as he handed the fare and followed his friend. In the meantime, Akhil had already found himself a place for two in a quiet corner and was busily leafing through the menu card almost tearing it in the process while the waiter looked on in bewilderment. They ordered chole bhatture, aloo-tiki and a plate each of rasmalai & gulab- jamun. After devouring the contents of his plate the smile returned to Akhil's face and as he waited for his friend to finish his meal, he took out the map and marked the place where Tughlakabad Institutional area was shown. “So that will be our last stop for the day, let's get going, what are we waiting for”, he called out impatiently the moment he saw Rajeev finish his meal.

“That's Batra Hospital Saxena ji told us about the other day, so I reckon we are not very far from our destination”, remarked Akhil still poring over the marks that he had made on the map. “I have heard a lot about their influential governing body and excellent industry interphase”, “It's interface, dear friend and by the way I was with you when you collected all that information from your friend so you need not repeat it all over again”, interrupted Rajeev as the auto came to a halt outside the gate. “I guess, life is just a race to be the best in everything one does, look at our own predicament, we are supposed to join the best institute to pursue our studies and once that is done we have to line up outside the interview room along with the other job aspirants and land the best jobs on offer”, Akhil grumbled. “Well, you are correct, but at the same time you need to understand that this race gives a sense of direction to our lives, it motivates us to strive harder, outperform the rest and be the best in our chosen field, and by the way we are here by choice as nobody forced us out of our homes, so cheer up and stop grumbling”, Rajeev retorted.

After collecting the necessary details from the admissions office both of them went round the campus to have a look at the classrooms, computer centre and the library. “The library is quite impressive; it houses a number of useful journals along with a huge collection of books”, Akhil remarked on their way back. “Let's call it a day man, I am dying to get under the shower and catch some shut eye. And we better decide which institute we are going to join as soon as possible, we cannot keep shuttling from one campus to another and just collect brochures & leaflets, moreover my dad will reach Delhi in a day or two and I have to let him know about our decision well in advance to enable him to make the necessary payments”, Rajeev remarked with a huge yawn. “You are right; we also have to open our bank accounts and need to purchase a couple of mobile phones urgently, we cannot keep depending on Saxena Ji's landline number as we remain outdoors for most part of the day”, Akhil reasoned.

The journey back to the guest house was smooth andenjoyable. It was mid-July, and a thick cloud cover provided pedestrians as well as motorists some welcome respite from the scorching rays of the sun. A cool, pleasant breeze that gained intensity as the clouds engulfed the blue sky rapidly gave ample indications of the heavy downpour that was to follow. The neat rows of elegantly constructed houses in New Friends Colony were in stark contrast to the haphazard, unsystematic and jam-packed rows of houses in Kilokri and quite aptly depicted the difference between the filthy rich and the aspiring middle-class in India. “Will that gap be ever bridged, maybe after thirty or fifty years or considering the pace at which funds meant for the uplift of the underprivileged people in this country are siphoned off by the babus and the petty politicians in collusion with their higher-ups, maybe in another hundred years”, Rajeev pondered. They passed the bhel puri wallas who did brisk business every evening selling their spicy, lip smacking preparations to many a hungry shopper, the fast food joints, the watch and jewellery stores and finally the Om Book shop before taking the right turn next to the chemist's shop. “Bas bhaiya, idhar side mein rok do”, Akhil instructed as the auto came to a screeching halt just outside the gate.

Saxena ji who was relaxing on his reclining chair after his mid-day meal jumped up expecting some guests to walk in. He mostly preferred families although a major chunk of his clientele consisted of company executives. Looking after the needs of his six member family was not an easy task especially in a place like Delhi; and on top of that he was the only earning member in the house. But even then he was very straight forward when it came to his business dealings. He would not let out his place to young couples and people from Kashmir just to be on the safer side.

“Hey, what's wrong with you? What the hell are youdreaming of”? Akhil roared in mock anger. “It's nothing”, Rajeev replied as he got out clutching onto his carry bag and followed his friend inside. “You boys are back early today”, Saxena ji said. “We didn't have to wait for too long anywhere today and that saved us a lot of time”, Rajeev replied with a smile as he picked up the key and the newspaper lying on the counter and headed straight to his room.