I think
resourcefulness and enterprise go hand in hand. I became a resourceful and
enterprising person in life forced by circumstances.
In my growing years in Mumbai, there
was no writing table in the house. I had to sit on the floor and do my homework
like millions of children in India do even today. How I used to yearn for a
proper table and chair those days? The resourceful person in me soon found a
way out.
Adjacent to our building was a fruit
market where the fruit vendors received their supply of fruits in wooden
boxes. One day I requested a vendor to give me three discarded pieces of
wooden planks with which I could assemble a table. I did it using nails and
hammer available in the house.. Then I sat on the only stool in the house in
front of the table and did my home work. I can never forget the joy I
experienced then.
There was no question of regular
pocket money for children in our family those days! ,Apart from the money I got
occasionally from my mother as a reward for helping her in her tailoring
assignments, I hit upon an idea to earn a few extra “Annas” (those days
the metric system had not been introduced) .I learnt to make paper bags from
old newspapers and selling them to the fruit vendors. For every 12 bags , I
would get 2 Annas.( 20 paise today). I would rush to an ‘Udipi’ restaurant
opposite our building for a hot Dosa, This often led to loud protests
from my father, who was dependent on the money from the sale of “Raddhis”
(old papers) for his month- end expenses. Inspite of being just an
average student I believe my resourcefulness and enterprise helped me in
building a successful career in advertising .
Among many stories of
resourceful people in India one enduring example is that of
Dhirubhai Ambani of the Reliance fame! From being a small trader to becoming
the head of a mighty industrial group, Dhirubhai became a legend in his own
time. We have several examples of enterprising men who started life by taking
baby steps in business, going on to build popular national & regional
brands. The brand NIRMA tops the list in my mind
Closer home`Vanga Vanga` department
store in Gandhi Nagar was started as a small roadside vegetable shop in
Padmanabha Nagar, by its owner. Now apart from the department store
the gentleman also owns a Fast food outlet and a few other businesses. Adyar
has many such examples of enterprising and resourceful people.
Whatever may be your background
if you are resourceful and enterprising and willing to work hard you are bound
to realize your dreams - with God`s grace and a little bit of luck!
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