The BB Village – Evil uprooted
The BB Village
Smaranjeet managed to get finance through his father’s known sources. His rent a car business “Ulluru” (named after his village in Mysuru) was gradually improving. In-spite of a significant growth it lacked the drive, moreover it wasn’t helping him to cover up the expenses. Hence, he thought it was time for him to push a little more and move on to the next level in business. He was a keen sportsman too an ardent follower of NBA, being a basketball player himself.
Smaranjeet wanted to settle down in his village “Ulluru” but his father did not want him to stay in Ulluru. He successfully finished his MBA, after completing his post-graduation in MA. His father supported him for his studies and also wished he had gone abroad for a year or two and specialized in Finance or Banking, but Smaranjeet wasn’t keen on it, secondly he wanted to start a business of his own in his village, he wanted his village to be among the best and the pride of villagers. He got a feasibility study done of his business and later agreed with his father that the kind of business he was thinking was better to be done from a city, hence he diverted his attention to one of the closest city to his village Mysuru.
Smaranjeet’s father Shekar, a farmer who along with his partner in agriculture farming had tried hands on many a business, but finally set upon doing ginger farming and since last many years focused on improving the farm yield and they had been successful and are also well known in farming circle. He followed a routine of getting up at 4.00 in the morning and leave for the field, by 10.00 he will be back home have his food and again go back to return home by 3.00 pm. Never one day did he miss his work? He was determined, persistent and he always advised his son to be consistent and determined in whatever he does. But it wasn’t the same with other villagers.
Many a farms of the villagers had been mortgaged and major part of their revenue was eaten up by the interest paid to private money lenders and the rest of the money ended up in “hooch”, an illicit alcohol brewery run by few outsiders who made this village their den and minted money by selling it to the innocent villagers, harming their life and putting them in addiction and a debt trap.
The youth of the village too followed the footsteps of their father and fore fathers and was finding it difficult to come out of alcohol addiction. This was one of the reasons why Shekar (Smaranjeet’s father), did not want Smaranjeet to stay in the village. But time and again Smaranjeet was attracted to the pristine beauty of his village, the vast village pond, the hillocks, thick greenery. He understood the situation and wanted to do something for his village youngsters, especially his class mates whose future seemed bleak. He wanted them to at least come out of the addiction of alcohol.
Smaranjeet hired one more staff and he also added two more cars to his fleet of cars. He well-trained his staff and sometimes stayed back late nights along with his team to meet the demands of his corporate customers. Gradually his business grew, it was more than 2 years that he started the business, and now he has a fleet of 12 cars of his own apart from hiring cars from outside to meet the needs of his customers. He was able to manage his business by keeping in touch with his able & efficient team through phone saving time. Now he frequently visited his village and gradually formed a group of youngsters. He trained them on playing basketball. He invested a small amount as well requested his school principal to support him. The school principal agreed and supported him in constructing a basketball court and also arranging for accessories for children who were too keen in understanding and playing the game.
The basketball team members grew, more and more children joined him, but very few youth. He invited his class mates but they ignored him. Fortunately the school principal’s son Sami joined him and was also assisting him in coaching the children. It was the festive season after Ganesh Chaturthi, then Durga Puja, Dussehra, Deepawali, Christmas. Smaranjeet hardly found time to travel to the village, but he kept interacting with Sami his friend and assistant on the developments. Smaranjeet’s car rental business has started earning profits. He increased the salary of his team and was happy to see them working with loyalty and enthusiasm.
Though he was happy with his business and the basketball coaching, he felt sad about his friends whose parents did not allow them to join the basketball team. His idea was to engage them in the game, distracting them from alcohol addiction. Even though he was humiliated during the last visit to his friends’ house, he forgave and put aside humiliation and thought of approaching them again. His only aim was to generate sports interest among the youth, bring competition in the game and make them realize their responsibilities.
The response was the same as earlier, he was humiliated again by the father of the children saying that if they don’t work, how will they eat? How their family will survive? “Go and mind your own business, spare us”. He came home dejected, but he was sure someday he will be able to make them understand, hence he spend more time with the kids preparing them so as to organize a competition in the village, he invited few teams from the city to compete with his team. These small events did help him in bringing awareness among the villagers, they were now keen and had expressed interest, and requested to enrol their child to play with them, there were more spectators than players.
One early morning when he approached the ground he found one of his friend Sampat waiting for him alongside Sami.
“Hi Smaran, I am interested, I will join your team and play with you”.
Smaranjeet was happy, he embraced Sampat and said, ‘Thanks buddy, together we can bring the entire village youth here”
“But Smaran, I will not be able to come during this time, I will be at the farm” explained Sampat. “Evening is preferable for me”.
“Never mind, we are happy, you could make it”. Said Smaranjeet. Evening Sami will be here. I am here on weekends and will be available throughout the day on weekends. In couple of months the team swelled to 38 members, with major of the youth coming in the evening. Smaranjeet held a 3 day camp and was literally involved in coaching, physical training.
At the other end the bar owners were finding something amiss, they found a decreasing number of business. Smaranjeet was happy, so was Shekar and the village elders, especially the mothers, who had been requesting, pleading the youth to stop drinking, but to no avail.
Smaranjeet was busy due to closing of financial year and for past one month he did not visit his village, though he was in constant touch with Sami, as well his family.
It was an afternoon when Smaranjeet received a call from Sami;
“Hi Sami”
“Hi Smaran Bhaiya, Papa is in hospital”
Why, what happened Sami?
Smaran Bhaiya, Papa had told me to not tell you, but I am scared, Said Sami
Why? Tell me, Sami… what happened?
Avdhoot Seth’s, people had come last week and warned Papa and told him to stop coaching, they abused him saying “What you think, you will make them national players, and who will feed their family” you?
They abused papa, slapped him and cursed him, also threatened him. But Papa did not buckle to their bullying. Yesterday some of their people came in a jeep and picked him up from the school. He did not turn up an entire day. Today we thought of lodging a complaint with the police station, when we received a call from the Shushrusha Govt hospital, saying that Papa was admitted there. We met him. His situation is very bad, his both legs are plastered, and his face has swelling, as well stiches on his forehead. He is still unconscious, I am scared Bhaiya,
Don’t you worry Sami, I will start right now and reach there by evening, be brave we all are with you.
As soon as he had finished talking to Sami, Shekar’s call came in “Yes Papa”
“Beta, Your school principal met with an accident, he is hospitalised and is very serious too”
I know Papa, it was not an accident, they might have made it look like an accident, in fact Avdhoot and his people are behind this, because they have started feeling the heat now, their business is in threat, and this is how they reacted, we had already guessed it right. Don’t worry Papa, we will take care of it. I will be there in the evening.
Beta, if what you say is true, then should you come here now?.
Of Course! I should Papa, this is the time we should be with the villagers and this is “the most important time” to bring a change. We should be with the people who are in threat.
Ok, I forgot to tell you. Yesterday while we were at the senior citizen centre, chatting about the changes happening in village and what need to be done to further consolidate the commitment of stake holders and give a push. The local politician who was passing that way dropped in for a chat and he particularly took out this topic of “What a school master has to do with these competitions and sports, why can’t he stick to teaching?” “Your son seems to be too keen on developing the youth, sports and their well being, it’s good he has taken an interest and keeps shuttling between the city and village. He should pay attention more on his business, we are here to take care of the people, isn’t it Shekar?”
What did you say, Papa?
Nothing, I kept mum, as I did not want to aggravate the situation. Take care of yourself, I can have few elder villagers gathered here for support.
That’s wonderful Papa, we will need as many people to come forward so that we can uproot Avdhoot, his people and the illicit business now and forever from Ulluru, and this is the time to do it.
Being in the business, he knew few people who would help him and he was planning this already and counting on them as well briefing them about the situation in his village. He was in touch with the ACP of the city, he called and met him briefing him about the situation at Ulluru.
Don’t worry Smaran, I will have the divisional superintendent of police to assess the situation and take immediate action. If anything urgent you can call me.
Sure Sir, Thank you.
It’s all right, Smaran. Take care of yourself, bye.
Smaranjeet’s next call was to his lawyer, he had already briefed him about the case, and he updated the present situation.
Never mind Smaran, I will keep myself free tomorrow, please do let me know the schedule.
His next call was to the Basketball association in the city, he had briefed them and few days back he requested and invited them to to come to their village for a friendly match, to encourage our team, as well felicitate them.
You can schedule and share the date with us, we will organize a friendly competition, and this will also help bring in more members for you as well authenticate the genuineness and validity and increase trust of the villagers.
Thank you Mr. Rashid Khan, said Smaran
You are welcome Smaran.
Smaran was in the hospital beside the school principal’s bed. He spoke to Doctor, who explained that, Mr. Kuppusamy was brought in with very serious injuries, he had met with an accident and was fully drunk. Since I know he does not consume alcohol I guessed there was some foul play. We informed the police too.
He is out of danger now, his legs are fractured, looks like he was brutally beaten. The police have taken his statement.
While still in hospital Smaran received a call
“Hello, is this Smaranjeet”
Yes, I am Smaranjeet.
I am calling from Divisional Police Superintendent office, you are requested to come to the police station.
Sure, I am in hospital now and will be there in an hours’ time.
Smaran called his father “Papa I received a call from the divisional superintendent of police, to come to the police station, I am going there, you also come and bring along with you few villagers, so that we can put pressure on police to close the liquor den and uproot this evil once and for all, It would be better if you can take more of females, I mean the mothers of the youth”
“I think it must be Vidhyarthi Sir who called you at the police station, you go ahead, and I will be there in half an hour’s time”
Smaran reached the police station and was seated in front of Divisional superintendent of police Mr. Vidhyarthi”
Smaran, I have Avdhoot’s people in custody, but I will need a strong case to shut his liquor den, Only if the people from your village can come forward with complaint we can make it a full proof case.
Sir, we want this business to be shut down for ever from this village. As for complaint people are waiting outside to lodge complaint against him, and you already have the statement from Principal Kuppusamy, Isn’t that enough to charge and shut down the bars run by Avdhoot and arrest him.
That should do to shut down the liquor den, Let your people lodge the complaint first.
Thank you sir, I will call them inside.
The superintendent walked with him outside the police station, when he noticed Shekar and few other elderly people waiting outside.
Oh! Shekar, what brings you here and why are you waiting outside, please come.
Thank you sir, actually Smaran is my son.
Ok, why you people did not initiate this earlier?, anyway now the villagers are here, we can file a strong case against the liquor den’s and it’s owners, ensuring his business is sealed forever, as well he will serve jail term for attempt to murder of a Govt servant.
Smaran also explained to the superintendent of the police that he would need more help from him. He explained to him how money lenders have trapped this innocent villagers and taken their land, and how villagers have been paying money in the form of interest, and are never able to come out of the debt trap.
For that you will have to get the help of a lawyer, I can do whatever from my end.
The advocate will be here any moment with the papers to file a case against the money lenders who have taken the land by force, the part of produce as well interest amount.
Smaran with the help of police and lawyer was able to make a deal with the money lenders before filing a case. The money lenders agreed, they returned the documents of the farm land, and agreed to receive their principal and interest amount in few instalments, clearing the farmer’s debt trap and making them free again. In fact in some cases, the farmers had already paid the principal amount, but the money lenders went on milking them threatening them to sell of their land if the money is not paid.
Smaran thanked the police and also requested and invited him to be the chief guest of the event to happen in couple of days.
Vidhyarthi Thanked him and said, that’s a good initiative Smaran, I hope that all youngsters do find a way to get attached to their roots, “However far you want you can go but there is someone who is always in need of you, not to forget their people and their village”
True sir, your village is your root, an identity our ancestors have created. I am glad to have your support sir. Thank you.
Thank you too Smaran. Take care and we will meet at the event. Our good wishes are with you.
Smaran had been in constant touch with his office, Things were normal in his office. He also met the principal of the school Mr. Kuppusamy, who was recovering and feeling better now.
Sami and Vinay were completely involved in training of the children and youth team. Though they were not able to beat the visiting team, but they gave the visitors a tough fight and did not let them win easily. It was a close win, the visiting team won the match over 3 points. A small difference, but “a win is ultimately a win”, never mind the points. The villagers promised to win the title next year. Since then Ulluru village was nicknamed “BB Village”
