Mr. Suresh Hundre said, I don’t ask any one to follow my path. For, this path is difficult. Walking on this particular path is unable to be forced. It has to come from an incredibly deep desire. All that I request is, quit saying it is not possible. Begin saying, IT WILL BE POTENTIAL.
When we bid goodbye to Mr. Hundre, I read the rear decal on his Reva, Just a drop in the ocean. Yes really a drop in the ocean. However, not merely’ a drop. He is the drop that becomes the pearl. He’s that pearl which is the rarest and the most precious.
He is an amazing mixture of aspiration, humility, success, spirituality, expertise, nation adoring, value driven, super assured and much more. Having one such quality for a lot of us will make us feel proud of ourself. Having all of these in ONE man, was never expected by me, however it was real. Assembly him made me realise, that is precisely the sort of guy I was unknowingly hunting my whole life. It could have been brilliant to locate him within me. Nevertheless, as a consolation, I located him outside me. I felt blessed.
Previously 25 years, his business has not paid a single rupee as bribe nor generated one rupee as black cash. His group company’s turnover is about 125 crores. He works at a profit margin of about 40%. For each working hour, he pays an income tax of Rs 50,000/-.
He shares his riches open heartedly, with his workers. In the last 4 years, every employee has a bonus of 100%. It ended up being a privilege to share a few hours with him. He is simply incredible.
One episode changed my life forever. He was utmost tainted. We were rested for we thought since he was corrupt he may be managed’. He, however, had other plans in his schedule. The IT officer wanted a promotion. For that he needed to file this case to show his abilities. With sympathy in his voice that tainted policeman told me, usually he’d taken something and we would have settled the issue. You see, if he did that he will not get promoted. After encouraged, his share of bribes will go up. Consequently, he needed to file a case against us.’ Mr. Suresh Hundre was really angry with the inspector. It was a burning point.
Many Indian businessmen do this as common practice. Even she had to be there in the court when the hearing was on. She was innocent in truth although not in the eyes of law. He felt a profound sense of shame and vowed to make corrections.
He decided, he’ll face any challenge, however he will never pay a single paise as bribe and he can never generate a single rupee as black cash.
There was pin drop silence in Mr Hundre’s office. While many people would have gone through this sort of chagrin, we might have chosen an easy route outside. For a few minutes our conscience would have troubled us, soon it would be conveniently forgotten. It would have remained as a burning point. For Mr. Suresh Hundre, it became a turning point!
Till today all of us needed to believe, in our beloved India, doing business without corruption is hopeless. We desired to believe, in our love India, becoming successful without corruption is impossible. Remember, he pays an income tax of about Rs 50,000/- for every WORKING HOUR. We wanted to consider Honesty is no more the GREATEST policy’.
All of us were exposed. Our mental frailties were exposed. Our need for a life of convenience rather than a life of principles was exposed.
It ended up being a moment that’ll always be etched within my thoughts. That grin! It wasn’t a smile of conceit. It was not a grin that challenged you. It was a grin filled with encouragement. It was a grin a grandfather has when he shares a naughty childhood key together with his grandchildren and the grandchildren are a little scandalized but in total awe of the grandfather. Ahaaa! To be there in those moments was absolute bliss.
Thank you Mr Suresh Hundre. You have inspired all 18 of us. My darling reader buddies, I consider, through this narrative’ you too must have been inspired. It’s Possible !!!
With loads of love, prayers and best wishes,
naren
