A NEW LIFE

It was in middle 1970s. I and two of my friends consulted one another and took a bold decision to start a partnership company. As we had experience working in a leather exporting company, we had no alternative except to try the same line of business. The total capital we invested at that time was about Rs.25,000/- We searched for a suitable place to start our business. A landlord known to us was very co-operative and we were able to get about 750 sq. ft. ground floor building at a reasonable rent and advance. It was a new building and hence there was no necessity for painting. We just put up a cabin and set up an office with necessary tables, chairs and a type writer. 

We applied for TNGST and CST registration and Export and Import code numbers and got them easily without any problem. The concerned officials were very helpful. There was no question of greasing their palms. They maintained their dignity and decorum! 

That was the time of export business without computers!. Even fax was not available and only a very few big companies had telex machines for communication!!. All export messages were exchanged in code words by cable (telegram) between exporters and importers. There is no telegram now. It has been abolished. There may be many youngsters now  not knowing about telegram. 

At that time as now export contracts were concluded through Agents. Many leading agency companies were there, some of them even affiliated to U.K. based big importers. 

We approached two Agents Messrs. Dharmsee Parpia and Mr. K. A. Rasheed for orders. They issued some contracts to us on the condition that goods would be inspected by them before shipment which is of course a usual trade practice. 

Everything happened within a short period of two months or so. The joy of a new life in business we decided to start was so immense and it cannot be explained in words. 

Some time passed on. We were slowly building our business.  At that time there was an announcement by the BSNL introducing Telex. We applied and got a telex machine installed in our office. It was a big machine and message had to be sent by perforation on the available tape. It sounded like an engine!!  After some time an electronic telex and fax were in vogue. We got them returning the telex machine to the department. Yet some years passed on. It was the time of a big revolution. Computer appeared in the market and it replaced all outdated instruments like typewriter, telex, fax etc. in most of the offices within a short time. 

Thus started, our company made a name in the market. The undeniable fact is that God helps those who help themselves. Optimism is a sine qua non for progress and prosperity. 

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