[ I had won but will they win? ]

I had come and did my job in taking the sick industry to a normal profitable unit, the proof being some one did come to take the production and keep the mill running.

The some one who came was another contractor who will take the same contract as I had made as there was none in the mill to make any changes in the interest of the unit. To run it profitably the parameters were all that of the management and not contractor, the critical one's being quality, productivity and machine utilization. The other key areas of management being industry norms in maintenance and in use of power, labor and all over heads included in arriving at cost the of product per unit which is 1 Kg or 1 Meter in textiles for yarn or cloth. I was not making both, what I did manufactured was Industrial yarn sewing thread yarn of superior quality which was sold at Rs.xxx Per Kg.

The quality of sewing thread yarn is of paramount importance since the needle with thread traverses at 10 Meters per Minute or more. Any repeated breakage of yarn at the needle, the entire lot will be rejected and there will be dispute arising resulting in not only loss to mill but trust and reputation  also.

How are the people with out my monitoring of production will be able to keep, I had my own doubts as my own experience had given me some times a big issue in teaching the workman when I had to bring a sewing machine and a tailor to show how the yarn path goes at various points on the machine.

I had told my contractor to call me over phone as to what had happened after my exit from that holy town but he had forgotten or thought it was of no issue to him. I had lost Rs.60,000 dues of my salary from the mill since, now over 8+ years from the year 2000 when I left the place.

Few months back while I was referring to some telephone numbers in my old diary I found the telephone number of the contractor and called him there was no response. After so many years it was possible the telephone number had changed, so I thought and kept quite. However, I got a call from him and he went on telling how the people had sold his production for which he had paid for the raw material and never paid the money yet. He said he had lost his father and was doing the business now independently and getting on doing his business. He wanted to know if I was back for a 3rd time.

I told him that the Vice Chairman was now Chairman and had called me to ask where he could stay if he had to come to my town.

I told him he can stay with me or I would arrange his stay in a hotel. Immediately he mentioned a date which was the next day and said he would call me from the bus stop as it stops at around 7:00 AM perhaps he phoned but I was at the Bus stop and received and he said he will stay in a hotel as he had to meet some one to show his book he had written. I told him to take rest at his hotel where I had booked his accommodation earlier meet his friend complete the work and call me in the morning. I told him the breakfast which we both had was included in the room tariff and he should not pay for it said good luck and left.

He phoned to me in the evening and said he had completed all discussions about what he had written and wanted to discuss about it and asked his friend to Edit it and also wanted to discuss with me also ( what the hell I thought he had brought my Check fro Rs.60,000/- and I did everything he doesn't even mention a word Chairman or how he is now a Chairman not coming to mills )fine, I will come, we can discuss, it will be my pleasure and we can have dinner to gether I told.( still thinking he may have the check )

He phoned around 6:00 PM and told me if I can go over and look at the writing and say how it is going to help farmers. The Hotel was just 15 minutes from my house so I met him and over 2 hours I saw sheets of paper he had written, some typed some pasted with text and pictures. I went thro all the papers the subject was nice. I told him to add rain water harvesting and about solar power.  Oh yes I will do it and bring it to my home to meet my family also in the evening he said. I asked about the mill, he said it is stopped and we are looking for a contractor. I did not say a word. Some chit chat went on and I told him I must go as was expecting a guest . It was Dinner time and perhaps he had not taken Lunch so I went to reception and asked weather my guest has taken Lunch. They said no. I went back and asked him why you did not take lunch. I had some snacks with my friend so did not feel like having lunch. My friend after discussions had a meeting so he went but he asked me to come again the next day.

[ If a person smiles observe his face.]

His father came from behind my back and smiled ear to ear on seeing me. I couldn't think of anything so I just gave him a normal smile. He thanked me for what ever help I did and told me that he had mentioned my help to the chairman and had told him but for my presence in his mill he would have never come to take up a contract in the first place.

That was very nice of him I said. You please go ahead and I will come as soon as I get my wife's telephone for which I am waiting and take care I said. The telephone at the reception started ringing and I told him to go and went near the reception. It was not my wife's call when I turned back and saw him he was not present and had left.

His big smile I remembered and could some how feel it was not a genuine smile but something else which was perhaps some sort of a sign saying I am sorry. I saw his son coming to words me and he said I did not go to the meeting as my father said he can say what ever he wanted if he was not present in case if a situation arises  where he can say, I do not know that. I said your father is very cleaver, let's go and sit in the restaurant and talk.

We ordered our breakfast and his father came back and called him and waited at a distance after some time he came back pocketing some thing, what was that your father said and gave. He told me to give you RS,7,500/- and that was your salary for the month, hotel bill for the month I am paying he said. You may not be paying any more because I wont be here from to morrow please wait here I will give you receipt for the amount and went to my room wrote a receipt,came back and gave it to him. He was sad as he looked at me and went on saying that his father was not happy investing any money here and even 50% production after I left he will not continue and may wind up if these people create any issues. I said let's hope everything goes well. We went on talking till lunch hour but it was boring to me some how. However, I managed and we had lunch together though it was a sad good lunch for which he wanted to pay. He had to listen to his father which I respected. I told him to do what his father says and bid him goodbye. I cam to my room packed all my things told reception that my bill will be paid by Room No.205 and sat in a local bus to take me to the high way where I boarded a inter state transport bus and travelled to my sweet Home.

[ Everything was going from Pan to Fire.]

I did not go to my job but went to bed and I realized that when I got up next day. Suddenly there was no hurry for anything, I had sacked myself and sure felt jobless, the door bell rang thinking it must be my contractor I opened the door. It was indeed my contractor he entered saying good morning and sat down I also sat down on my bed. We were starring at each other. I said tell me what happened. He said my father has come. So what I said. The Chairman had come to his place and had called him to pick him up from the hotel he said that he would inform his father as he was sick. His father met him and they had discussed about sharing the production with another contractor. Some how my father felt during discussion that he should not invest his money with this arrangement and he agreed to share with another contractor. Why and how did you agree when I asked, he said I can't disagree with my father and none of my younger brothers also won't say a word against my father that is our tradition in our community that goes on ever since we settled down in the present place he said. I could not say a word more since that was my family tradition too.

I kept quite and ordered Room Service to bring two cups of Tea one with out sugar and thought I must get out of his sight and calm down and be cool. I went to the bath Room and came back after few minutes washing my face with a big towel hiding my face said what happens now. My father is going to attend a meeting and some discussions will take place he said. What is the Agenda I asked. Are you not invited for the meeting you must have drawn the agenda how can they, the blokes don't know what are the things mainly to be done with two contractor he said. I felt like a ton of bricks fall on my head. I was not invited and it was decided to have two contractors and there was a meeting, it was too much for me to even stay in town now and thought of how to tell him the consequences of working the mill with two contractors.

I said look I am not even contacted let alone tell me about the meeting. They think they can do it with the set up in place with out me. The following things will happen tell your father.

1 - They will say that the new contractor will have to pay not less than RS,5,00,000/- to buy cotton.

2 - The entire mill machinery is designed to process polyester and silk blends but I had converted it to polyester only as both silk or viscose fiber was not available which you know.

3 - The new contractor will pay RS.5,00,000/- and they may or may not buy cotton.

4 - They will ask you to pay workers wages and power bill RS.5,00,000/-

5 - If you pay, you are bound to be in deep shi*

6 - Now you go to the meeting and watch don't argue with your father. He finished his tea and left.

I finished my Tea and came from my room and waited in the reception to see his father.

[ Greed and arrogance destroys a man.]

I thought of staying in the hotel and see what happens when my contractor comes besides I could not go with out telling him how grateful I am for his help in running the mill. I had my breakfast Masala Puffed Rice with Tea and was relaxing in the hotel reception area when the hotel owner came. He was a rich man even by his looks and I wished he was my Chairman ( of course my chairman was not by his looks or by his talk or his face he wished to talk only in local languages ) I thought I must inform him of the mills activities as he was also well known locally. We both shook hands, said good morning to each other and I said I need to talk. Let's go the office he said and took me to his office. We both sat, smiled at each other when he asked if everything was alright, which perhaps he meant was about his hotel I thought but told him everything is fine. He said what can I do for you. 

It's about the Mill when told, he bent his head, immediately I said nothing bad it's the present status I said. Oh I know everything you came for the second time and the mill is working fine they say. Do you need any help he asked. Can you finance the mill Sir, I asked and with out a blink of the eye he said no no  no. That man, no one in the town trusts and he owes money to so many people he said.(The same words said by another rich commercial electronic goods merchant of the town in my survey.) I explained everything in detail and said as a very important personality of the town you must be informed, was my opinion since the mills contribution to economic activity and revenue generation will be affected. I am sorry he said and told that it is very sad and expressed his helplessness as he is concentrating on his business. I expressed my gratefulness for his opinion and said I may not be in town for long and hope to go back to my town so I had a pleasant stay in your hotel and wish you all the best saying, said bye bye and came out of his office after I heard him saying, Wish You all the best.

I went to the Restaurant and ordered another cup of Tea with out sugar. The waiter came and told me there was a telephone can on hold at the reception the receptionist had seen me entering the restaurant and it was nice of her keeping the call on hold. It was close by so I went and took the call. Hello Rao Sab good morning, it was my contractor, hello Malik where are you, I said. I am sorry could not contact you as I am sick he said. You are sick now I said, yes I am sick he said. I am also sick, it's better we both rest for a few months. I am not making fun but serious please believe me it's my father he is agreeing to your suggestion but Chairman has phoned he is coming to meet him and convince him to agree to his plan. I said don't worry take rest let there meeting take place and we will see what your father says after the meeting. If my father changes my his mind I can't argue with him, what should I do. Do what he says, why bother now wait and watch that's all. Tell me what happens after the meeting I said. OK Rao Sab I will call you but please believe me I am sick. Get well don't worry I said and kept the receiver down.

I went back to my room took my bath did my Puja, dressed up and came to the restaurant ordered a cup of tea with out sugar and waited. I had Tea and as usual got up to go but where to go, not to mills of course so went walking to Sri Ganapathi and Sri Laxmi temples prayed to god to get me out of the mess and returned to Hotel. It was nearing lunch hour, I changed my dress to pajama &  Kurta so I can sleep over my thoughts and spend the day. Lunch delivered I ate slowly and went on the bed to relax.

[ A second failure of Second success? ]

Everything was fine and now in this situation where I was to watch my whole efforts looks like it was a waste of my efforts and valuable time has to go in vain. So many thoughts came to my mind as I was having my cup of sugarless Tea after I came to the hotel. I was sure any of my plan would be against the wishes of Chairman. He was sure to see I fail and work or go away leaving the mill running so nice. Just to feed the machines and count the money. He was a small farmer's son educated and staying in a town. His ambition was to be a small politician in a national party and as a small politician reach higher in politics to become a member of the village/town representative in the state in public institutions like few other rich farmers. I had seen him in all his avatars doing things in the small town to capture the towns populations attention  in various activities which were to be in some way or other where people will see him as a young speaker in any functions or political rally's so that his face was in the minds of all the rural villages and his town for his gain.

One of the rich farmer living in a nearby village by his influence in political circle of another party was lucky to come with a labor intensive industrial enterprise and this perhaps made him to try and get another such labor intensive industry which he did succeed but his advisors failed to monitor his work and his arrogance after his success made him spend public money and his small investments in  good areas but his bad management did not bring expected gains of such investments. I saw two such good projects fail because he did not know technical or financial management fully in his operations of these units though I had expert knowledge in such area he never bothered to even ask me if I had any industrial experience in such activities.

I had made his project which I started stand on its foundation and start commercial production which had a good market. His advisor highly appreciated my work and efforts to others even though I had deviated from unwanted expenditure his project, say's nothing about it when he visited the mill which was a project he made and got the banks funding also. In the entire activities at that time it was my say in any area of operations. Now I was not trusted by the Chairman as he had gained some knowledge from my 3 years work and when he could no longer stop me he tried to bring his ideas there was  a clash as his ideas would not work resulting in my departure with out any notice earlier in the same unit. Here I was in the same position now in the same unit. 

It was my Dinner Time with Rice and Dal with Roasted Papad my favorite less expensive meal in the hotel. I went for a walk came back and slept thinking of Home Sweet Home where my wife and daughter would be sleeping.

My actions to come here once again was my passion to a industry of my profession, built by me. I had made a name in the town when sometimes when I drove in the streets to MILL people used to say there goes MD of the MILL. but the arrogant Chairman has made no name which I found by my own survey. Was I stupid, I was thinking.

[ Time to discuss with my Wife I was thinking.]

I was ready to go to the mills and driver had not come it was nearing 10:00 AM. I had a feeling the driver won't come. So I walked to the bus stand and sat in the bus. I wasn't in my morning moods thinking about mill, but thinking about home. My daughter and her studies, my wife and her activities in running the house and my future activities and full retirement from my profession, my diabetes and BP was flashing in my mind. The bus was moving and it was now away from the dusty town. Fresh wind was blowing I looked around it was a rural bus with rural folks mostly travelling away from town I thought, looking at their baggage. The look on all of their faces did not indicate they were happy. Of course I was a earlier Mill General Manager where the Mill was located 9 KM from city and most of my workers were living near the Mill and they were mostly the villagers who were also looking not happy. So my thinking was if villagers in our country looked happy in any village. That was not a refreshing thought. If I saw any villager who was happy it was my driver he was a villager. It was my room Boy, It was my Waiter in the hotel and so was my Dhobi they all were from villages. Oh god all my workers in the mill were all young and old villagers who did work in my mill. So who is doing the farming. I thought of asking my side kick and the bus stopped. I got down and my side kick also was in the bus and he too got down. As we were walking to words mills which was 3 minutes walk. It was no use asking him why he did not sit by my side. I asked him who worked in the farm he said it was mostly woman folk after sowing the seeds in land prepared for sowing the seeds which men did the work.

We entered the wide doors of the Exit and there was a wide passage where workers had to keep their belongings for which there was provision, some changed their cloths except woman workers and entered their work places.

I asked my side kick to enquire the person who was sweeping the floor if he received the floor clean from his previous worker of out going shit. He went and asked and came back to me and said 'No' he did not he said. I told go and ask him if he did aske the out going person why he kept it so. He did and told me he does not ask, as he leaves it like that daily and it is no use asking he say's. I told him to go and call the supervisor where ever he is.

The supervisor came and I told him to write in the log book if all the department was clean at the time of handing over the shift daily from today.

I told my side kick to go and make enquire if all dept.'s are kept clean all the time or only some time. To find out also if chairman is coming to mill today.

He came back and told me chairman will come in the afternoon.

I remained in the department taking stock of material in process, testing visually critical areas in the machine and going through the test reports of waste mixed and pure yarn test results. They all did not indicate significance difference. I told the people in the test room to send me yarn appearance board of both waste mixed and not mixed yarn and went to my office it was lunch hour for workmen.

I came to Chairman's Office and opened the door. A director was sitting and he told me that Chairman had left just few minutes ago.I asked him if he waited for me or he did something else. He asked some files went took them and told the Secretary to call a meeting at his house and said he wants to go for a meeting and left after talking to few workers he said. I told him everything about what is happening and if it does happen I won't be here I said. No, we will not allow that, you stay we will discuss and he too left.

Time to discuss with my Wife!!!

[ Mill turning sick was looming large.]

After completing my letter to my wife, I just was thinking what would have been the discussions my contractor had with the chairman I was sure my contractor's father would not agree to work as per the wishes of chairman and he would continue to take 100% production. That's when the phone rang I picked up the phone after 5 rings and my contractor's voice was heard saying Good Evening Rao Sab, I asked him what happened, he said that the chairman was contacted by a yarn merchant and he was interested to give him a second contract to another contractor. I said that I will tell my father and tell him what he will say. He said he will talk to him and asked me to give his telephone number and wanted to know at what time he should contact him. He said he gave his father's number and told him that he can call him in the morning at 10:00 AM. He wanted to know yarn rates of cotton yarn and polyester cotton yarn. I told him he can ask my father as he is not dealing in cotton and polyester cotton yarn.

I asked why did you check out of the hotel. Where are you? I want to know I told.

I am on a train and going home do not tell the chairman I paid your Hotel Bill and given your salary it is with your room boy he will give you. Give receipt to that boy both for Hotel Bill and Salary I will take it when I come there he said.

I further asked if he has asked anything else, he said yes, he wanted to know how much money I was giving.

What did you say, I asked.

I said, I am paying to all your office Staff and Mill officer since 3 months, besides workers wages, daily workers wages, overtime wages, electricity bills, store charges and your car petrol bill and submitting to your accounts and that amount is adjusted in my account besides your salary and hotel bill for which Mr.Rao is paying hotel bill by credit card and you are giving receipt for the salary paid to accounts which is also adjusted in my account and if your information anything else please ask me I said.

Then what did he ask?

He wanted to know if I have booked next months fiber to be supplied.

He wanted to know why?

He wanted to know if the stock in the mill will be sufficient for next month as only 50% production is his allotment.

No, it will not be so soon you book the fiber he said.

Yes I asked MD sab he said he cannot say because what happens as another contractor is coming and what product he wants is not finalized once that is done he said he will give in 15 minutes.

I will talk to MD you talk to your father and book fiber for next month he said.

Yes sir I will consult my father and tell him I have booked the fiber in your account.

What did the Chairman say when you said you will book in mills account.

He called the account and asked what does he say that he books the fiber in our account.

It means we pay for the fibers and he pays for the fiber in the yarn and not on the machine.

Chairman asked accountant if Technical Advisor and General Manager knows this arrangement, he said yes.

Call the GM said chairman GM was sitting in the House of Chairman with other people he was called.

G M Came, chairman asked GM if he knows that contractor was paying for fiber on the machine.

All contractors were paying for fibers on machine, from their fibers we make yarn and give them yarn, collect conversion charges for total quantity sold he said.

What else happened I asked

General Manager said something in local language and every body started local language and finally it was decided to make a meeting next day they said.Meeting was adjourned to next day at 11:00 AM

I asked the contractor did chairman called you for a meeting.

No.

When are you coming I said.

I don't know it depends on my father, my brother may come.

OK see you when I see you bye I said.

[ I woke up as the phone was ringing .]

I picked up the phone and my contractor voice said, Rao Sab I am in the Restaurent come for breakfast and I want to talk. I said wait for 5 minutes and went down to meet him, he looked pale as he looked up to meet my eyes. My eye's were not anything better, he asked me what happened did you sleep well he asked, yes I said, tell me what I should do he said. You tell what you told me, that is, to meet your father and discuss with him what he says. Tell your father over phone what he said  that to allow the mill to take 50% production and he will not pay all expenses like raw material and wages and power bill expenses any more and mill can despatch goods as usual up to 50% of daily production only every day which your transporter will pick up daily. He would pay only conversion charges for goods despatched daily till 50% production is despatched for the month. Nothing more and nothing less for any discussions, and all financial dues by mill and to himself by mill should be settled immediately and fresh contract made with fresh  terms and conditions for 6 months only.

You think it will be OK he asked. It may be, however I am going home, if this agreement is made I told.

He was very quite, I said 'Malik" it is 10:00 AM go meet chairman and come we will talk.

O K, I will meet him and see you in the mill and we will talk he said.

Everything was fine at the mill the raw material was available for 15 days, power bill and wages / salary was paid Mill had not paid the earlier dues of 6 months salary and hotel Bill perhaps I will not be paid this old dues I thought even then I could go at the drop of a hat. 

I told my side kick everything when he came with my lunch to my room, he listened and said this mill will not work. I know these people they were suspecting you are being paid by the contractor and you are doing financial transactions of mills also which they feel it is their work. They have already wasted much money you better tell your friend to be careful.

I opened my lunch box and my side kick was trying to go out as he knew I would eat lunch alone. I told hey don't go two or 3 days only I am here and then I will go. He was standing I told him to sit and eat with me. He was hesitating I told him to close the door come sit and take your food and give some food He was still standing I told him that I will go to hotel and have food if he is not having food with me. He than sat reluctantly took some food went out brought a spoon and we both ate what was just roti, rice, curry and curds from a village kitchen

After food we went for a drive and I told him to drive. The Road in front of the mill was having no traffic in the noon .He said he never had a chance to learn. I told him here is a chance you drive I said got down and told him to claim driver's seat he was happy and went sat in driver's seat , I told him how to start and move the vehicle he moved and slowly he was driving laughing and was feeling happy there was no traffic ( 25 years ago ) we came back to the mills after 30 minutes.

The Mill driver who had gone for his lunch was seeing the Car coming we exchanged seats and got down. What happened?, was there any problem he asked. We said no, your driving and maintenance is good I said. I gave him RS.100/- and told him to fill petrol.

My contractor Malik did not come up to 4:00 PM, I called the Spinning Master and told him everything and said he should not engage overtime workers but stop spinning machines. There wont be any payment for daily overtime workers as contractor will pay only for over 50% machine utilization

Arrange to sort out usable waste and mix 5% waste with 95% Polyester after hand opening of waste and cleaning all foreign material and then waste with fresh material and slow down machine speeds in polyester opening machine and give separate batch number and not mix with 100% polyester fiber yarn with this production in any machine and run this batch separately. Take same random yarn sample's  and try to test and compare with 5% waste mix material and keep the report and do not give it to anybody. If you find abnormal variation take CV% of all samples and let me have those values. Pack 5% waste yarn mixed batch separately. He noted all my instructions took my signature and asked me if he has to come to hotel to give test reports and samples. I said if I don't come you came I  said and  returned to the Hotel.

I came to the hotel and asked at the reception if my friend has come. They said No.

I went to the room took my shower and got ready to go it was only 6:00 PM. I went for a walk and to buy some flowers for my puja in the morning at the market and returned it was 7:30 PM so I asked at the reception if my friend had come, they said there was a telephone call for me from my friend when I was out and they said that he will call you at 9:00PM.

I had my dinner went to my room and wrote everything to my wife and told her I may be home with in 15 days.

[ I know it is not easy to be honest.]

I had only one aim in my mind which was that the unit I started will be a model unit among many such small and big units, perhaps our unit was the smallest, still it had made a name in short span of two years. As it was financially weak on account of poor knowledge of this giant industry to the Directors and Chairman as these persons who were too ambitious on account funds received from Bank not knowing what to do and how to go about setting up the mill and running. The Chairman invested with out thought on some projects outside the scope of the sanctioned project and being a politician as Chairman of the unit had spent almost all the money that must have been reserved for working capital. It was financially sick at this time I went away to work for some body else.I was here again.

My joining at such a crisis was to try to make the management understand their weakness and augment positively in all areas of management of the unit with out any self interest. Now this is what is going on.

I did what was to be done buy some where a meeting was held and what was the out come of the meeting I never knew. My work was uninterrupted and I carried on for three months, the mill was running fine.The contractor was with me and he co-operated all the time.

A gloom descended the market for the product which was a regular phenomenon where the financially strong could easily keep going with out bothering for stock pile up and sales going weak. Our contractor was afraid to invest in a parentless company as he kept his stock in his go down without a market and had to supply raw material. I was telling the contractor what he knew that he cannot stop production on account of seasonal changes which he knew but he being a merchant was hesitating for funding the mill for production. I had to tell the chairman.

People in business will always be looking for investment and keep knocking on all doors and when they catch somebody it may go on very well or otherwise. Some one did meet our chairman and said he will take half of our production if we manufacture his needs. He wanted cotton yarn chairman said.

It was bad day when the Chairman told me that he wants to bring another contractor and I should change my production Plan to keep only 50% of the production to the present contractor and 50% to another contractor.

I told him that the present contractor may be changed and new contractor may be given 100% production.

Chairman - Why are you suggesting that when your problem is only for excess production

It is not only production but it is his money he is paying for the entire production. If I accept what you say then more then a month my production will suffer and I will have to tell the present contractor our plan to sell 50% production to another contractor. Knowing him fully well,I feel then me that he will not supply the fiber for a month and he will tell me to use the material in process, when I will have to run out material in process and bring in the new contractors material. There will be a mix up of both the material and yarn may contain both contractors material and it will be rejected. If contractor you want to bring can supply the same material and take same production there won't be problem. If you can do that you can discuss with the contractor and go ahead. I will have no problem except to run the material on the machines which any technician can do.

Chairman said he will talk to the present contractor first and see what he says.

The real contractor is not here it is his son who is here and he does what I tell him to do after consulting his father so you may have to talk to his father, if I talk to his son he will ask me what to do and my suggestion if he accepts he has to ask his father is who is senior and it is his money we are getting from past 3 months I said..

Chairman told me the contractor 'son may be informed to meet him at his house at 11:00 AM tomorrow. I said I will tell him to meet you I said and came out depressed.

In the evening when we were coming back to hotel from mill I told contractor's that chairman wants him in the morning at his home at 11:00 AM. All these days the mill was running with both of us just watching production and running the mill with out his telling us anything or discussing about working of the mill with me. Now me asking him to meet the chairman he was taken by surprise. He asked why?. He will tell you and it is regarding you taking only 50% of production and we taking up the 50% production. He said do you mean you are taking the 50% production and sell it in open market. I said something like that. Hey I am nobody to take a decision I will tell him to talk to my father.

[ We plan - They Plan.]

I took the New Contractor to all the machines and introduced him to every worker who talked to me. Those workers who did not know how to talk in Hindi they knew I cannot talk their language. I Told most of the workers that the yarn must be clean just like the fiber so clean as the thread was being used for a special purpose. I told the Spinning Master who was with me to tell the 2nd shift and 3rd shift what I had told to the workers by visiting the mill if required by using the motor cycle of his friend. He was a hard worker and good worker. My self and the new contractor left the mills and returned to hotel. The time was 7:00 PM and I told the contractor to freshen up and come to restaurant to discuss very important issues to night itself.

We met at the restaurant table when I told him not to give the draft work order copy to anybody and if they ask you say it is missing in his room and he could not search for it. I will get it to morrow you must say. Why all this fuss sir he asked. You are not to believe these people they have 7,000 Kg of polyester fiber which you have paid and the work order says you are working the mill and paying only conversion charges to convert your fiber to yarn. The fiber and yarn are yours they cannot sell I said. He was serious and asked will they sell my yarn. They can, if you do not have a work order.

The contractor wanted to know if work order is sufficient to carry on with out a contract.

I said no, you must submit the contract that I will make and I will give it to you with my Seal and signature and ask the secretary to sign( the mill can't give it since there is none to draft the Contract and they wont allow me to do it) and give me a copy of the contract I tell the secretary to file it or I will file it in your file myself and give you a reference number of the document. I told him that every letter sent from the mill and received had a document number and the document number had the file number and every letter received or sent  would have this number I call as "Document Number" .All the files are arranged like that as per my instructions when I started this mill I said. He was telling me I wish I had a mill. You are having a mill now and running it don't worry I said but you are not permanent in this mill he said you are also not, I said.

I told him that soon he will get a big sample and he can send it to his father and get a report, You must also arrange to get me the workers wages which will come shortly.

It will be around 1.5 Lacks I said including every body's staff, my self and others.

Who are the others he asked.

They are people not working in the mills but working for the mill I said.

What work they do he asked.

You are not a part of the mill so don't ask questions please, I said.

I will make payment only this month he said.

You will pay reasonable amount for your conversion work if not work will stop so just arrange to get the money for power bill and wages / staff salary let the work to keep going fast I said.

We have a stock of 6,300 Kg of Polyester Cotton of 40S Count will you buy it I asked.

You made 40s Count from that contractor waste he said . It was not waste it was loose fiber and compressed at different places differently and again processing differently, only this process I know not these people who are not knowing as it was not proceed here in this mill till now.

What is the Price.

What is the Market Rate

I will contact the rate and tell you in the morning

Let's go to town and have Lunch and come back we may see the yarn when we come and make the sample.

[ Show is on now but a different show.]

I was not surprised things were going on when I went inside the mill right to the place which had the polyester fiber opened and fed to the machines and followed it the spot it was getting stocked to take it to the next stage of machines awaiting and came back to check machine after machine to see the quality standards of performance and material delivered. The Spinning Master had come and I congratulated him on the work done as per my instructions. I was talking a few workers who looked happy. There was nothing to say or look but had to go back to the office to see what has happened to the rest of my crisis.

Standing tall was my Royal Crisis of making payment to the workers on my head constantly but so was taking the production of new material on machines. I had to talk to the new contractor whom I did not meet at the hotel as I had to see the progress of new production going on stream as early as possible besides the new contractor was also more important since the new contractor would have to pay to workers or the mill would stop. Of course the next would be the power bill he has to pay since he had agreed earlier. My next and urgent drama to play was to bring the Director who told me to issue the work order to the new contractor should see what has happened in the mill and be present since I was expecting Chairman to come. Actually, there was nothing next but everything to be done simultaneously. I told the office boy, me sidekick to go to the director's house and bring him somehow to the mill immediately.I called the mill accountant who was a relative of chairman to find out where is the chairman. I told the Spinning Master to go on his friend's motorcycle and bring the new contractor from the hotel. Having done all this I told the security to warn me if Chairman comes as he would be watching the Main road from the entrance he can switch on the RED light and switch off immediately which I had kept in all departments for worker to leave their workplace and go home and the incoming worker present in the department to take over from the outgoing workers place of work. I sat in the office and searched the 'Work Order' copy on which I had taken the Director's Signature to issue the "Work Order" found it and kept it in my pocket. I then left my office and went into the department and stood there watching a running machine and told the supervisor to start cleaning all the main and machine ally and see nothing is lying on the floor. ( It was so ) but I wanted the floor nicely swept. Nothing happened for more than one hour.

I saw the RED LIGHT on & off no one noticed if they noticed also no one left the workplace because of the time was not of shift change and it flickered less than a second. I walked to the main exit gate and saw him coming I said namaste and he said good lets us go to the office. I thought he is not aware of what happened otherwise he would have entered the mill. As the new material had not yet come to spinning he perhaps thought that the mill has stopped. We both entered the office and collapsed ( sat down as if the seat pulled him down ) in his chair and I sat down. So, have you despatched the yarn he asked.No I said, he looked relieved, where is the GM he asked I told him to take the sample I said for his approval so I can fix the cost and inform him the total conversion amount and yarn made out of his material? Why this procedure he asked I told him if he say's anything or any complaint on yarn quality we can take suitable action. What action we will say OK we will sell the yarn at his account and tell him it will be to his account. He will understand what it is. GM has returned but he has not come to mills. Now you are here we can take a decision on the issue I said.

The Director and New Contractor both walked in. The Director started his talk in the local language and went on telling the chairman what happened since 3 nights. The chairman listened to him and asked me if the contract is drawn. I said I have a draft made it is in the hotel I said. We will meet in the morning and decide he said. I got up and walked out I saw the New Contractor also had followed me. We both went to my office. As I reached my office and once we were inside I pulled the draft Work Order from my packet and asked him to sign immediately and pushed the paper and my Pen. He started to read I told him you read it in your room just sigh it I said. I also signed. I told him to put it in his pocket. I expected Chairman may ask the work order as I heard the word work order when the director was telling chairman in local language what conspired during his absence.

The Director walked into my office and asked the New Contractor if he had sent the Work Order to his father. He said he will send it in the morning. You bring it in the morning when you come he said and left.

We both got up from our chair and went to office as I wanted him to see his fibre under process and waited for some time thinking we may be needed after some time but my office boy came and told me both Chairman and Director had left the mill.

I was tired and told my office boy what was the mood of the chairman and director when they left He said they looked somewhat happy. I told him to lock up the office and go as I was also going with the contractor.

[ Underneth the Mango Tree ------- Oh God what the h***.

I was walking to-words the mill when I saw a group of people standing by the road and it looked like they were waiting for me. I was still remembering the song "Underneath the Mango Tree" and as I went near them they asked me where did I go in the village. I thought for a moment to confront them but knowing they all liked me I said went to the river to see from where the water is pumped to the Mill. You could have asked anyone in the mills they would have told you. I said I did and that's what they told it is from the river. I met a farmer perhaps one of your man and he did not tell me. He is a guest he doesn't know one of then said. It is more than a year that arrangement is not working, it was not for the mill that water was pumped but to a private farmer. After you took out the pump and motor gov't authorities came on a inspection after a complaint that water was pumped with out permission from authorities and they found no motor or pump to confiscate and no one went near them so they went away, they said, I said thank you and turned to go when they asked is the mill going to stop. I said it will not stop and I am trying to keep it working. They all gave me a smile and I started walking to words the mill trying to sing the song,

Sung by Singer - Monty Norman – "Under The Mango Tree" Lyrics
Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me can watch for the moon
Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me make boolooloop soon

Underneath the moonlit sky
Me honey and I can sit hand in hand
Underneath the moonlit sky
Me honey and I can make fairyland

Mango, banana and tangerine
Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean
When we get marry we make them grow
And nine little chilґ in a row

Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me can watch for the moon
Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me we plan marry soon

Mango, banana and tangerine
Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean
When we get marry we make them grow
And nine little chilґ in a row

Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me can watch for the moon
Underneath the Mango Tree
Me honey and me we plan marry soon.

I came to the mills and saw the office boy, hey, why did you not come to meet me yesterday and where is the GM and where is the chairman and from where is the water coming to the mills, why the mill is stopped, has the spinning master come, I asked in one breath. He said,

We could not come yesterday as it was late because we missed the Bus.

;

GM is Sick and he has sent his leave letter.

Chairman will come to morrow.

Mill is stopped because of power Failure.

Water is now pumped from Chairman's Farm because you removed the motor at the river when you were here last time to fix it on your TFO machine as motor was not in the machine.

Spinning Master has come.

Would you like a cup of Tea he asked.

Please get me I said smilingly, he went happily.

[ Crisis after Crisis.]

The mill was partially working and I had told the Spinning Master to start cleaning the departments every nook and corner of only of the departments where machines were stopped and run out all machines with material and pack all yarn and take it yarn go-down. I told them what to do next will be told and not keep workers idle or send them away on no work.

The raw material was yet to come so I did not go the mills. The pay to workers was due in 3 days and there was no money, chairman was yet to come and I was not aware of what the present contractor was going to do, the present contractor had gone out of station and told he will come as soon as possible, no director had come to mills. Yarn manufactured to contractor from his polyester waste was still not sent, the value of this yarn was not known as the contractor had not agreed to my rate fixed, I had finished the breakfast when the driver came I asked him when the chairman will come. He said he may come the next day. I told him if we can go to see Technical Advisor he said Chairman has met him and is meeting him daily so you better think of some other place to go. At that time hotel boy came and told that there was a telephone call for me at reception counter. I told the driver to wait and went to take the call. It was the new contractor he said the truck from Bombay with polyester fiber will be arriving at night and I must make arrangements to unload if the truck comes in the night. I said OK and he kept the phone or the call was disconnected. I was in a fix. I told the driver to drop me at the mills ( as I had to go to make arrangements to unload the truck if not the truck driver may go some where in his truck to sleep at night ).He said he will do that only as chairman has told to bring the car to his place today. I had to come back from mill by BUS. The meaning of BUS in Hindi language is enough.

Yes that was enough of a crisis for the day. I went out walking from the mills to the near by RIVER  to know how the water was pumped from the river to the mills which I had never seen.

I walked up to the river and near the place where I saw was a pipe on the of the bed lying helplessly and where there was no water. Actually there was a stream of water going like a arrow indicating the path and direction of flow of the River. There was NO WATER I put my hand over my head and said Oh NO not another Crisis. I looked around and saw a man who looked like a farmer ( all farmers can be recognized in India by Indians only.) he was also looking at me. I signaled him to come but he turned to words the village and walked away. The crisis remained. I walked back to the mills saying enough is enough.On the way I saw a mango tree being plucked by few people and just to watch them plucking I stood there for a minute it was interesting to see how they were plucking. One of them gave me a ripe mango it was nice to see and I could hear it say eat me, but I held it in my hand and walked remembering the song " Underneath the Mango Tree.

[ I walk slowly thinking how things may move? ]

Walking slowly I thought of other expenses that may come up daily and also store expenses. I decided to use the Rs.50,000/- that I had told the contractor and that the need to keep Rs.3.5 lac stand bye, I thought that Rs.50,000/- will be for miscellaneous expenses that I can have, The Power Bill Rs.1,50,000/- and wages and salaries would be Rs.1,00,000/- was the figure ( 20 years back budget ) that I had seen in the Books. I still had made a provision and there was no worry. Where to keep the money if I take from the contractor, whether he will give me that much or he will make all payments himself even if he makes all the payments himself where will he keeps the money was a question and he cannot keep in the hotel. The thought of telling him to open a account in his company's or his name and that this issue we might have to talk to the local Bank Manager and take his suggestion. This proposal will not be liked by the Chairman was my thought, I was sure of that, as the chairman needed money for his expenses as also some Directors. In that case Rs.3.5 Lac, I had told will not suffice. I had reached the mill and kept my thoughts to myself.

Office Boy had gone with the GM to meet the contractor and after lunch the new contractor came direct to my office along with one of the Director's. This was my chance to expose my plan again to the new contractor in presence of the Director. As we were discussing so many issues the Director present indicated that the dues of the contractor which I had made out and submitted to the chairman was little confusing but a settlement might take place but he would not continue his contract he said. The Director wanted to know if the new contractor would take up the work. The new contractor said as no contract was signed, he was waiting to get the Chairman's signature he said. The Director said that MD's signature is sufficient and the MD would sign a work order to your company pending signing of the contract now itself and he can supply the fiber and take up the work immediately. I intervened and asked the Director if he was told by the Chairman to take such a decision. Of course why would I say that as  the Chairman had phoned to him today morning only to discuss this issue with both of you he told.

I was sure that my statement of contractor's dues has made some effect. The director had also said that the present contractor would not continue his contract. I told the New Contractor that I would give the work order as told by the director and he should deliver the raw material as per specification given and gave him the specifications and the mill will not pay for this and he should meet the commercial tax officer or some mill where he had obtained permission to give us raw material and take the processing charges and take delivery of the material or pay taxes as required in such cases.   The new contractor said he will do the needful.  

I informed the Director that I need to go to hotel as some news is expected from home and I need to go to the hotel and got up. The director said he has to go also and we went to words the mill exit gate. The New Contractor also came with us and I stood near the dept gate and told the contractor to go with the director and ask any doubts he might have since his answers and mine answers he could get an idea why I was doing what I was doing. They both went out and I entered the mill went to spinning Master's office and started telling what are the changes needed to process pure 100% polyester Fiber and asked him to give the log Book He give me the book so I started writing to all shift people who will read and get it in their head since there is only few more days that are left when the present contractor material will run out fully. I told the Spinning Master that running out is a method and it is not the running out we do in games. The new contractor came and was silently observing all the primary instructions and it took more than 2 hr 30 Min for full dos and don'ts to be done in writing.

I told the workers the advantages of PURE Polyester processing how it needs royal treatment on every machines and what care is needed to make a superior yarn. The most important WORK would be cleaning of every part of the machine including the machine floor and keep a cloth to keep the machine as there wont be any yarn break for complete 3 hours. All the workers listened with interest and some even asked questions if the work involved in more if they will get more pay. I told them that I am paying for their time and what ever is their work will be what is told on a day to day basis or a work needed as per agreement. As there is no agreement on work they have to do what is told. If you want further information you can come to my office any time alone or in groups for a meeting. Now you accept what I tell and discuss later if you think you need some information. Now I will have to go or mill may stop so you wait for some time and when all changes are made let's discuss I said. They all kept quite and I left.( most of the workers trusted me.)

[ I am the Master of all I survey.]

That night I had very relaxed discussions over a drink with the new contractor in the hotel and it went along with dinner till late in the night. I told him he will have to now take everything very serious and it would at least be for three months,when he would have to finance the mill to get a good production of his requirement up to his satisfaction. He should not worry about his temporary funding of the mill for his long time profitability. There after with out further investments the mill will not need his money and if he is hesitating to go along with my instructions and suggestions mentioned I wouldn't stay here and if he has any doubts on my advise, he should walk away and I would carry on very well going home I said. I said that I will not stay for more than a day if he wishes to go. I told him also that he will have to pay my salary also as I will not take any money from mills nor they have any money on the other hand they may ask you and you should say you are giving money direct to electricity board and pay wages to workers your self.

He agreed to everything. I told him to be ready with Rs.3.5 lacks with in 5 days and think over the matter and reply in 2 days. I  said, I will tell Chairman that the present contractor's material will run out fully in 7 days and mill will not be able to work any machine and all workers will be engaged in cleaning the machines and all departments and out side buildings will be cleaned as no cleaning was done properly since 3 weeks. I asked do you agree now Mr Mohan ( name changed )I asked and he said I will tell my father, you can go ahead and tell the chairman, let us see what he says.

Next day there was no transport sent I went to mill by Bus. The GM of our mill was also sitting and he could not see my getting in side the Bus. I went and sat down by his side and he was surprised but did not say anything but I said good morning. He said good morning and asked why I am taking the Bus. I told him that Chairman had gone out of station perhaps to meet the Technical Adviser. He said yes I knew it but thought you might have got the Jeep. We talked during the bus ride and I told him that the present contractor may not send the raw material and the new contractor has not agreed yet to take up the contract. He said why not we continue with the present contractor. I have met him at his home and told him but he seems to have some problems so why not you go and tell him since he knows you better. If you want I authorize you and you can go now itself. If you tell I will go he said. Yes you please go and also tell him that I sent you and I am serious as mill will stop in 10 days. Do now get down at Bus stop near Mill but go to terminus and return by the same Bus and go to the contractor meet him and tell him. What should I say why I have not dispatched the yarn, tell him it is chairman's instructions.

It will be hard to tell like that but I will try he said. If you need any money I will send it to the bus stop you sign the voucher sent and take the money and tell me how much is required. He said RS.500/- will be sufficient. I told him when he returns he should come to hotel on and meet me the new contractor he wants to meet you. He has not spoken to me once he said, that's the reason he wants to meet you. He said you say meet new contractor so I will meet him but yes he may ask any questions that I don't know what I can say. We will see to that. If you want take a bundle packed 12 gm extra weight in the bundle packed in a plastic sheet nicely packed and give it, Mark Humidity and weight on the Package. Don't tell him Reeling is run by ladies If They want to work they will be taken on trial you can tell I said. Near the Mill when the bus stop our Office Asst was standing and I told him to go with GM as a sample of yarn bundle is to be taken. He was happy to go I to go I told the Office Asst to make 2 vouchers and write one for GM and another himself  and bring Rs. 500/- for each of their expenses.


I got down from the Bus with a smile and went to the mills

[ 10:00 PM Sharp the Phone Rings.]

The phone started ringing at 10:00 PM sharp I allowed it to ring 5 times and picked up the phone and said S K G RAO speaking. I said HA JI a Hindi word for Yes Sir when at the other end the voice said Namaste Rao Shahib I said Namaste bhai sab, the conversation went on for some time about the sample I had sent, he said it was OK and I can dispatch the goods as early as possible. I asked him about the check and supply of material if he wants to continue the contract and he said our Technical Advisor is discussing with him on the issue and it will be known to us shortly. I said in Hindi achaji namaste and waited he had not disconnected perhaps he wanted to hear some voice if some one was present so I had signaled to the new contractor to keep his mouth shut he disconnected and I hang up the phone.

I told the new contractor who was with me that the man was just telling me my sample was to be processed as early as possible and his agent our GM will dispatch the material on a Sunday when I don't go the mill. I had told the supervisor not to pack the material and the production was packed only in day and stored unpacked.I had also told all the workers and supervisor that they should not pack the goods unless I tell them.

I asked the new contractor if the new polyester fiber was coming he said it will come in 3 days. That was by the last day of the month.I told him not to tell the Chairman and Directors that your material will come in three days tomorrow noon I will see the present contractor term ends. He said very well let me wait and see your Drama.

Next day I sent a FAX to the contractor that all his material will be running out fully in 3 days and after weighing all the material it will be weighed and packed as also all the waste that cannot be made in to yarn by our mill will be weighed and actual realization calculated and cost worked out will be sent to him to pay the conversion charges plus taxes so he can send a draft for the amount and enable us to dispatch his full yarn stock with us with the waste. A copy of the FAX I gave it to Chairman when myself and the new contractor who had come with me to the mills met him to finalize his contract.

After prolonged discussions the new contractor indicated his willingness to take up conversion work and answered all questions to the entire satisfaction of Chairman and directors. The Chairman told that the new contractor he may be take up the contract which he had seen and he may start the work immediately. He asked the new contractor when will the fiber come.The new contractor said he will take the fiber specifications from MD which will be ordered and see that the fiber is dispatched in his account as he was a agent to fiber suppler and the cost of the fiber may be deducted from finished material supplied against invoices with out any payment. The Chairman asked me not to dispatch the material in process to the present contractor till his account is settled which he will inform all of us shortly. I had the Contract form ready and told the new contractor to send to his father for his Signature and Stamp with Date and get a scan copy after which the Mill will sign.

I went near the Chairman and whispered if I can go ahead with changes required to process the new contractors material which is 100% polyester.

Of course you can, he is taking the material is it not?

I said Of course he will.

Then go ahead he said.

I whispered, Sir Power Bill and Wages is coming.

He stood for a second and asked me if the New Contractor will arrange for that?

I said I will try.

He said try and tell me and walked away.

[ I take over from everbody's confusion.]

The existing contractor having received my statement from our Chairman's Technical Advisor gets a shock as he has sent polyester cotton usable waste to my mill which is worth a good amount and still has some material that is running out at the mills which is of considerable value and he is confused. The New contractor is pressurized by me to take over the conversion work and is also confused as I go ahead by not despatching any goods to the present contractor which is running out from the machines and I am processing polyester cotton usable waste and asking him to bring in, his fiber with out any contract is also confused. I do not ask any one for any advise and am running the mill the directors and chairman meeting being held they did not know what to do and they are little confused.

The Chairman and Directors came to the mills and a meeting took place where the Chairman took a decision after long discussions that his Technical Advisor ( Our Side the Mill ) would discuss with the existing contractor on settlement of his dues and will see if he can make a mutually agreeable decision said that I should keep on working the mill and he would allow me to keep the mill running. I pressurized the new contractor to get his polyester fiber despatched to the mills. The present contractor's son mean while came to town to take the sample and test Report and phoned to me to meet him at a spot in town. I met him with the sample and Test Report which surprised him and asked if it was his polyester waste and I told him it was. He said his Technical Advisor had told him that no one in any mill could process the waste. Yes, I told him he was correct as you told him it was waste and he said so as he did not see the waste. Please tell your father that you have seen and please come now itself and see if you want that the material is under process is your polyester cotton usable waste, collect the sample from the running machine and tell your father to see that the checks are unblocked today it self. He said he cannot come to mills and will go and tell his father about the check and give the sample and Test Report and tell him to speak to you at 10:00 PM today and left.( I know he will not come to the Mills as his Spy our GM (whom I did not speak to as he was not and did not work for the mills but worked for the contractor and spoiled the mill by his negligence in work ) would have already told his father, I waited for his father's call me and kept with me the New Contractor, in my room. 

[ I start processing polyester cotton waste of contractor.]

When I reached the mill the next day I expected the Directors to come and I started processing the polyester cotton usable waste and wanted to finish the whole thing. I had told the New contractor to wait and that I will be back for lunch. I gave instructions as to how it must be done to the supervisor and came back from the mills to meet the contractor.

Before the new contractor could ask I started telling him the whole storey since he trusted me and I trusted him ( a mistake I do often in my profession which I think was and I feel unavoidable ) he listened patently and told me how he may help. I told him to order the polyester fiber and keep cash ready for payment of salary and wages besides power bill which will be Rs.3,00,000/- plus. He said he will get in touch with his father and do what ever I wanted. We took lunch and we came back to mills. He saw everything and was satisfied that I can do what I said. Few office staff came to my office and told me Directors had come. I went out and took them to Chairman's room made them sit and told them I would bring the New contractor and introduce them to him and they can ask any questions and I also said please do not hesitate to as ask on any matter I said and came to my room and told my contractor that he will meet the Directors and he has to say what ever they want to say that should result in his taking up the work as he has come here on my request and has spent his money.

We both went to Chairman's office and I introduced the Directors.

One of the Directors asked him if he was ready to take up the work himself being present here or he will depute somebody who will be here to start the work. He said he had to do both.

Another Director asked him if he is prepared give advance.

New Contractor said - The Raw material he is keeping in the mill is itself a big advance since the  MD had asked him to supply Polyester Fiber immediately.

Discussions went on further about conversion charges, requirement he needs, how he will make payments, what is his interest weather it is only yarn or other business, if he is doing conversion business, what yarn counts he needs, where he will sell our yarn etc. etc. He, the new contractor answered all the questions and to a particular question as to how he knew me he said he was my yarn seller in his place.

The Directors said that his presence may be needed for the next two days and requested him to stay and discuss further with the Chairman during the next two days. He said he will be pleased to be present and told them to finish the deal in 2 days and got up, I also got up and told the Directors that I will have to take him to the Hotel and will be back in another two hours as I have some work to do in the Mills. The Directors said they will be present in the mill as they have to talk to me. I said OK

I came back to see the Directors still at the Mills and talking to some workers. On seeing me they said we did not expect you but we are glad you came lets go to your office they said and I went to my office and we all sat down and waited for a cup of Tea to brought as I had signaled it to the office asst present. The senior Director told me that the Chairman would talk to them in the night and what should they tell him they asked. I told them they should tell or even warn the chairman that if he doesn't take a decision the mill will stop and the new contractor will go away and the present contractor may not continue to work and even if he does he will not help the mill in any small way, I said both of them agreed to tell the Chairman and said good night.

I sat in my office and wondered as to why I was in the place trying to help the mills and it reminded me it was my professional ethics that my father had inculcated from my younger days as he was also a textile mill official besides I had received on professional ethics guidelines when I received my C Tex ATI graduation invitation from Textile Institute, Manchester, a global degree equivalent graduate certificate. I came back to the hotel met my new contractor told him what happened and to be ready to take over the mill production from next moth.

[ At Ahahmadabad]

At Ahamadabad we stayed in the Govt Guest House arranged by my feiend Mr.Giridhar Gupta

[ Seventy Five.]

Yes I am 75.

[ Technical Textiles - Rieter's New RotorSpinning System.]

Photo - Rieter.

Rieter expands its range with new J 10.

With the addition of the new J 10 air-jet unit to its established portfolio of ring, compact and rotor systems, Rieter is now offering all four types of spinning machine.

The J 10 is based on the Swiss-headquartered company’s leading drafting and automation technologies and has a modular, double-sided design for maximum flexibility. Its key benefits include:

* An individually driven winding system which allows delivery speeds of up to 450 m/min.
* A new sliver traversing system which reduces the wear of rubber rollers, cutting maintenance and spare parts costs.
* Robotic piecing at the start-up of the machine, after a break or a quality cut, and at the doffing of full packages.

The development of the J 10 has led in turn to the introduction of ComforJet yarn, which is said to provide a number of benefits for spinners, for down-stream processors and for final end-users.

Formed by the flow of compressed air, the J 10 exhibits very low hairiness with short fibre ends and small loops, resulting in high wash and pilling resistance. The specific structure creates a high ability to absorb liquids and the yarn’s softness and voluminosity result in visibly higher fabric density and evenness.

With Riecter’s new piecing technology, the piecing is unrecognisable in the final ComforJet fabric, adding value. Consumers will be impressed by the extremely soft touch of the fabrics employing this new yarn, the company says.
“Because we are now supplying all four types of spinning system, we are able to advise customers on which is the most suitable for their requirements,” said head of marketing at Rieter Spun Yarn Systems, Heiner Eberli. “By comparing the economic aspects of all four spinning systems, we can prepare detailed spinning plans and pay back calculations for the entire spinning mill. We are also able to analyse and optimise the spinning processes over all process steps, including the fibre and sliver preparation process, which has a big impact on both machine performance and yarn quality.”

June 11, 2009

[ 2 Truck Loads of Polyester Cotton Usable Waste Arrives.]

Two truck loads of polyester cotton usable waste had arrived in the night when I went to the mills. The security had not unloaded the material which I could see from a distance and when I arrived at the spot I told the supervisor who was present to take the trucks and unload them in the go-down.

Around noon Chairman with 3 Directors arrived when I was taking my lunch in the office and after finishing my lunch I went to the Office of Chairman the door was open and no one was inside as also the office boy. I turned back to see they all were coming they all saw me and I saw them looking grim but I smiled and they also smiled. We all entered the office and office boy carried Tea inside. I was sitting nearer to him so I took the Tea and took sip it was with sugar so I kept it on the Table. The Chairman and others had Tea, one of the Director asked me to let them know what is it that they should do to improve the situation. I told all of them that they should allow me to tide over the crisis and my plan of action was to process the waste once he accepts our conversion cost of his polyester cotton waste, we delay processing and tell the New contractor to immediately supply fiber and pay wages and money for electricity charges. I will make him pay.

It would take some time for him to send us the raw material and mean while I will try my best to get rid of the present contractor once the new contractor deal is finalized. I need all of you to trust me or tell me what I must do and I will do what you say if I can do it or tell you I am sorry and will go back to my home. Regarding the New Contractor also, I can bring him only if I have some material to work as all machines will stop in a week or 10 days till his new material comes and by the time I will process the polyester cotton usable waste and will not despatch the yarn till he pays all our dues. I have calculated the amount of money he has to pay and I will give you that statement which you can show after you have examined it which no one in your mill will not say it is not correct. The present contractor also may not agree but cannot say it is unfair statement. However we make him pay or tell him we will run out his stock and will not despatch his stock of raw material waste or yarn. If you have any question please ask me I said.

Chairman asked me to give the statement of the dues of the contractor. I took it from my file and gave it. He looked at it for sometime but did not say anything as the dues from the contractor was much more than his checks that were held at the bank by the contractor's instructions.( A private Bank ). He sent for his assistant who thought he is a genies and gave him my statement and asked if he had looked in to it. He told him that MD ( myself ) has taken his help to make the report and it is as per books and may be he ( myself ) is right. Chairman told his assistant that he should come to his house in the morning and told us he will be out of station for a day and will see what he can do and told the Directors to just talk to the new contractor whether he will agree for a contract and tell him our points as it is with the present contractor and inform him when he comes.He told me to write down minutes of his 2 days meeting and give it to him and that I can process the present contractor's material and send him the sample.

I told the Chairman that the material similar to his polyester sample was with us and the yarn sample is already and contractor's son will be coming tomorrow afternoon to take the sample, talk to his father and inform us about the sample and permit us to go ahead with processing and he will not know if the sample is from our material.

Chairman got up and said it is alright you please discuss with Director and carry on with your plan and I will see you again.

I thanked him as he was walking out of his office.

Soon after the door closed I asked the Directors where he is going, they said may be going to discus with his Technical Adviser on the statement I had given as it looked serious. I smiled and they smiled.

[ High Meeting & Big Surprice.]

Chairman was the first to speak and he said you went to meet the contractor and what happened. I had a hint the taxi fellow would have been contacted and information was given how much time I had spent at the contractor's place. They could not question my going but they would have the authority to ask me to tell what happened.

Me - I met the contractor and he is willing to continue his work. The face of Chairman & Directors changed.

Chairman- What was the discussion like.

Me - He was nice man I felt as he was smiling and talking to me which showed he was not agitated. I told him that his actions had disrupted our mill and machines were getting stopped with avoidable causes and production loss besides workers were sent home with out any good reason. He said it was all because of us supplying bad quality of yarn and he also was facing loses and issues with customers who had returned the cloth as it was not to their quality standards. I told him I will take care of that but you please send the raw material and instruct the bankers to lift the hold on the check so that mill can run with out any loss further. He told me to talk to him freely and I said he should also talk to me freely besides trusting me in all matters. He wanted me to process  his stock of polyester cotton waste and told me he will send two truck loads of polyester cotton usable waste which I have to convert to yarn and gave me the choice to make yarn to my specification, I agreed after seeing the entire lot of his material and he should arrange fresh stock of raw material and release the hold on the check he had instructed to the bankers.

Chairman - You agreed to convert our mill to a waste mill.

Me - It was not 100% waste he was sending but good material wasted while running by one of his mill.

Chairman. - Why can't his mill process that waste.

> Me - They do not have any person who knows how to do it. Actually it is as good as new material but wasted during material handling and working of the machines as well as restarting of the machines as well as testing and other running out of the machines during batch changing.

Chairman - How many days we have to process his material and what are his rates he will pay for it.

Me - I will have to receive his material weigh it make a sample and calculate the cost and tell him our charges if he agrees we will process or tell him to take it after paying our dues.

Chairman - Said something in local language ( said something like 'everything is going to be a mess' )

Me - If it is going to be a mess and it will be after I go from here I said and added, it was a mess here that's why I came back and if I go you will be again back to square where you were before I came and may be worse.

Chairman asked Directors, if they should discuss the matter between themselves  in local language (which I did make out).

Directors agreed and nodded their Heads.

Chairman told me to go ahead with my work and asked me when will the New Contractor come.

Me - He is staying in my Hotel now to see you I said and left his office.

As soon as I came out of the office one of the Directors came out and asked me if I am going away or staying.

I told the Director who respected me very much that I will not go and make the mill and worker suffer you go back and tell the Chairman not to worry and left him and saw him going back.

Chairman secretary told me after some time that chairman and directors had left and will come to office with other Directors for continuing the meeting and I should come also with the New Contractor.

I told him the New Contractor will not come until the present meeting concludes and this information he must inform the Chairman.

[ The New Yarn Contractor had come when I returned to Hotel. ]

I had told the hotel manager about my yarn Agent's arrival so he was sleeping in his room they told me.I woke him up at dinner time and we has our food and discussed how to go about, the first thing I told him was he must right away arrange to send 100% Polyester 1.5 Denier 44 MM fiber with in 5 days. He must Pay power Bill and it will be Rs.2,00,000 and wages will be another 50,000/ and My Salary Rs.10,000/

I told him to give his terms and conditions to take up Polyester Fiber Conversion to Yarn work on contract at Rs.2 per count and we would make it in 'S' twist and supply weekly 700 Kg of 38'2 ply and it will be chargeable @ 1;50,Paisa per count for converting it to sewing thread further for process. the packing will be in cones only On TFO machine and it will be as needed in cone or Hank form. Further any other charges as per law may be charged on acceptance of the contract. Goods will be despatched daily after packing and not stored in mills or any other place. A deposit of RS.1,00,000- will be with the contractor. All disputes will be settled by MD of Mill only we had dinner together and slept.

WE were ready to tackle the Chairman and Directors.

I told him to stay in the Hotel and pretend he has not met me.

It was lucky in the morning as we were sitting for breakfast and discussing developments that had taken place in the restaurant and as I saw in the window that the Mill Car was coming and the driver going up the stairs. I told the New Contractor to wait in his Room and order food from his room only and went out near the car and the driver also came down. I sat in the Car and the driver drove away from the hotel. I asked him why he had come little early and he said that the chairman needed the Car.

I went to my room in the mill to keep my lunch box when the supervisor came to my office to meet me which was the protocol. I told him to pack in the special yarn samples made yesterday in a plastic sample bag write down the specifications and test report and bring everything to my office and keep it on my table and not discuss about the samples with any one. After about an hour I was told that the chairman had come with two directors and they were in office. I went to Chairman's room knocked on the road and entered. As I entered I said good afternoon and sat in my Chair. There was no word from any one and they were grim faced.

[ Mill wont stop workers were happy.]

I returned to hotel and got out of the car and tried to pay the Taxi guy but he said it's already paid by my mill Sethji so it was a satisfactory deal and after taking my rest went to mill by bus as there was no car.I had told the Spinning Asst not to send any worker on lay off so around 15 men were waiting with 5 women.

The Men were 1to11 and 2.+ 2 women were sitting and cleaning spinning tubes. I told them to go to polyester room and I also went with them and I had to tell them what they need to do. with the superviser who was shift in charge came with as he was the shift supervisor. The worker were asked to clean the waste as I has instructed they started the job immediately and I spent nearly 3 hours to see how they were doing the work.THIS WAS OUR MATERIAL and so it was to be processed and sent to Yarn Contractor at his Office and bring 2 lorry load of polyester from yarn contractor This was done in the office around 6:0'clock I had. They were sitting in a circle and in the middle was the polyester soft waste, all All the workers were taking the waste by has and pocketing any hard woor, stone,metal parts or workers items of which ever kind must be removed and put it in their bags tied to their waist. 

;

I told the supervisor if they work well they may get the wages on pay day or it will be delayed unnecessarily.

The supervisor was told to clean only 40 kg of the material and convert it to yarn by 10:00 AM . I gave him the details of the process and told him to call me if there is a problem.

The Chairman never came to mill but was perhaps trying to arrange the money.

All the Workers had worked whole night and at 10:00 AM the Yarn Sample was ready.

At about 11:40 AM 2 lorry loads of Polyester Cotton waste had come from the contractor Workers were not knowing anything but thr news had gone to Chairman that I have made something with out informing the Chairman or Board.

[ Post Lunch Session at Residence of Yarn Contractor.]

I thanked the host for his homely excellent Rajasthan Lunch. Oh you are welcome any day he said. Further he added that it is better we understand each other if he had to continue his contract with the mills. I told him I have understood him well with the information from yarn market and it is he who need to understand me as he has no source to my information except my Yarn agents who were with me in my previous mill, if he needs to contact them I would let him know their contact phone numbers and that he cant talk to them right away now itself. He said Oh I won't do that but let me ask your opinion on the polyester cotton waste that you have seen. I told him it not polyester cotton waste but it is polyester cotton usable waste and I am sorry that it is not the subject of my visit and requested him to let me know if he will continue or maintain his stand which is now my present and immediate concern and I am meeting here with you only for that I said. Don't worry I will continue but I will send 2 loads of polyester cotton usable waste you must convert it to yarn of any specification of my choice and I will take the goods. I told him I will do it and he should send money for wages and power immediately. I added that I will process and send sample of yarn with specification and selling condition and if he has any thing with my specification and any selling condition changes he can send his representative his son for discussion. He agreed to do that. I thanked him and told him to release the check he had held with his bank immediately so that I start my processing immediately.

[ Meeting the Contractor at his place.]

I had to go by a Taxi as mill car I could not take. When I told the Taxi fellow to come at 9:00 AM he said he will come at 10:00 AM only. Going and coming will be 4 hours and meeting another 1 hour and at Lunch hour I will not be present at my hotel. I thought I will go after lunch and told the contractor that I will start after my Lunch. He said no you will have lunch with me in my house. That was nice of him so I met him in his office in his big bungalow. I saw he was a simple guy and soft spoken and at a time keeping quite for me to talk. That impressed me. I asked him why he had stopped supplying raw material and made no payments and told him about workers wages and power bill as also production loss since machines were stopped for want of raw material and mill would have to pay the workers full lay off wages. He told me he had incurred loss due to bad yarn and that the people who had purchased his yarn made by our mill had dumped their cloth bales at his go-down and demanded their money back including the weaving cost and he told me to see the cloth and tell me what to do.I told him to show the cloth and after seeing the cloth I told him that the cloth could be printed and sold for a much higher price and he would not make any loss. I could see from his face that I was speaking the truth. However, he said he is only a yarn Merchant and not cloth merchant and it would take time away from his work besides he knew nothing about polyester blended cloth printing. I told him to continue his work in our mill and I will solve his problem.

He wanted to know where I worked and in what position I worked, now it was time to give him my full bio-data.I took out my dairy and wrote my qualification, training's in S I T R A, B I T R A, experience in testing and quality control under a Japanese Dr. Hanada, Standardization,Material Flow,Process Control,Production Planning,Modernization, Rationalization.Training,of workers and Standard Costings of products. products diversification,Waste Control,Motivation and all the names of the mills I worked with, as Spinning Superintendent,Production Manager and General Manager with full powers. As I was writing he kept quite so I asked him if he was running any other mill on contract. He said he was indeed running 2 other textile mills.After I gave my complete bio-data he went through it slowly and smiled I also smiled. He now wanted to know if I can spin soft polyester / cotton waste.I told him to bring a bale of waste right in his office. He sent his men to his go-down to bring a bale. I told him after seeing the bale contents spreading them on his office floor and TOLD him to tell me if he considers it as waste. He said there are lorry loads of waste, I told him I will see all the bales and I wanted all bales opened for my inspection if they are better or worse. He never expected I would make such a demand opening 2 lorry loads for checking.

The 2 lorry load Polyester/Cotton came to the go down I pulled a hand full of waste and put it in a plastic bag I told the workers to take out samples from all bags  in the same manner and keep them in office. The time was nearing 2:00PM so Contractor took me to his house for Lunch.

[ Contractor running the Mill was watching my work.]

While I was planning and working to improve quality of Yarn which was why I was called, the contractor was also watching and he was given feed back on my work by the Supervisor and his yarn quality consultant both qualified and well experienced.

I had attended the meeting of directors and chairman and had told them that I would run the mill and co operate with the yarn contractor and see he buy's our product immediately,effective with in a few days with a new product,with out any complaint

When new yarn production was dispatched the contractor had no major complaint but he had a different issue and it was financial and serious. I came to know that financial mess and told the chairman that I would bring another yarn contractor who would take the yarn and supply raw material and also help the mills if any need comes with his terms and conditions.The chairman told me to call that person.It was informed to the directors who were happy that the present contractor would go.The news got leaked to the present contractor who stopped supply of raw material and any payments but wanted the mill to keep supplying yarn with our raw material.There was no money ( the contractor knew our condition ) to buy raw material or make any payment to-words wages and power bill to keep the mill working.The raw material was exhausting fast and productive machines were getting stripped of raw material and productive machines were getting idle. The new yarn contractor was expected to come and chairman asked me what should be done.I told the chairman that the contractor is on the way and he will come in 2 days since there is no air travel to our place he is coming by train.Even if he comes it would take 10 days maximum to start a new contract by the new contractor.

One of the director wanted to know who will pay the wages, salary and power bill since after stopping the present contractor the month will be over and payments will be due to be paid.The question was to me, so I said we take it from the New Contractor as he will know this situation.What if he the New contractor will not take the contract I said that will be a problem and so I plan to meet the present contractor and ask him to continue the contract and make any fresh demand. Another director asked what if his demands are not acceptable.I said what if, if I accept after all it will be my job to meet his demand and allow me to first meet the present contractor and let me meet him and then we can discuss.So, I went to meet the contractor and he was indeed wanting to meet me when I asked him if I can go over and meet him the next day.The chairman told me not to meet him.Here was the big problem and I had to meet the present contractor as he had asked me to meet him.I kept quite while they were discussing the banks help if they could get and they seemed to be something was wrong and I did something kept quite. I knew lunch was coming and after lunch there would be missing me.

I came to my room told the contractor over phone that I will be coming at my own cost personally he said he would pay the Taxi and I must come.

[ Where to Start my work? ]

The building was four times bigger than actual need to make it look like a very big manufacturing company in this remote god forsaken place on the main state highway 7 KM from a road side town 70 KM from a city in the state well known in Western India.

There was no entrance to the mill as farmers refused to give their land to the mills unless they were compensated as per their demand.

There was a small entrance at the far end of the mill on a land which was perhaps a gov't land kept for any need to widen the road which was the road going to the village from the main road.

There was sufficient place for present and future needs but the expenditure on building was a big hole in the plan or to say frankly waste of financial resource made available by the bank to the mill as per project report made which was approved by the bank' authorities.

There was no compound or gate to the huge area surrounding the mill. All sides were open to any visitor or any stranger who could enter the mill from all sides up to a gate which was the entrance to the mill's wide 100 ft road which I had made earlier.

The back of the mill building was having not even a barbed wire fencing. At one side was a open man made water tank that looked like a well but not a well but a tank to which water was pumped from a river to a private farm and from that private farm land water was again sent to this tank at the mills. A bore well would have been sufficient but this was done for some other purpose which would help mill for value added yarn manufacture which I had thought of in my earlier stint at the mill.

At the other end was a huge go down for stacking the mills goods but was not required as the production of 15 day's could be kept in the dept open space and dispatched on the 16th day to the market at the yarn whole seller's go-down as per my earlier plan and earlier I had set up silk reeling which was shut by me and now unused and fully shut and locked.

The Chairman's Office which I had made was in ruins without any maintenance.

All the departments inside the mill was dirty, not even swept properly and the machines were running here and there with a gap of some machines stopped here and there for want of proper planning or for being excess or for spares.I had to start work everywhere including production planning and product diversification.