From Dreams 2 Disasters My Journey in EcoFriendly Manufacturing My Family’s Fight Against Corruption

I have previously shared with my online community the harrowing experience my family and I endured when we were compelled to shut down India’s first environmentally friendly bathroom fittings manufacturing industry in 2005.
Prior to this,our joint business venture with my uncles was dissolved in 1998 just year before my marriage.Subsequently, I acquired another factory located within 1-2 kilometers of my uncles premises. From outset,I was not inclined to engage in bribery with Indian government officials, stance I discussed with my late father’s cousins & uncles upon joining family business in 1995 after completing my Bachelor of Science degree at Delhi University.Frequently, my relatives would suggest my elder cousins as intermediaries when bribes were deemed necessary to navigate challenges posed by the excise commission, which often involved coercion & demanded payments in form of products or cash.In 1998, I became increasingly aware of environmental issues, & when we commenced operations at the new factory, we received assistance from Ranjit Fabrications in Jan 1998, who fabricated the effluent treatment plant (ETP) and provided comprehensive project support.I received various marriage proposals starting in 1998, and I eventually selected one of the candidates. Given my concerns about environmental care and the potential scrutiny from government officials regarding our business operations, I felt compelled to show the ETP to my fiancée, although I refrained from disclosing the underlying reasons. We married shortly thereafter, but as anticipated, we faced significant challenges starting in 2003, which ultimately led to the closure of our factory. We then attempted to establish an electronics showroom, which was also forced to shut down in 2006 due to the unscrupulous practices of the DDA and MCD, who subjected our salesgirls to unwarranted harassment, despite all transactions being properly documented.
In light of these challenges, I persuaded my family to relocate 248 kilometers away from our hometown, Delhi, where we had been experiencing such difficulties. In 2006, after seeing a house sale advertisement from a property dealer in the Times of India, we decided to explore this remote town, having grown weary of searching for alternative accommodations after selling both our showroom and our home in Sunder Vihar.
Despite its remoteness, I was uncertain about whether my wife would adapt to the solitude, so I set aside funds from my construction business for this venture, driven by the desperation of finding reasonably priced shops. As expected, she eventually returned to her school friend and sought a rental house in Rajouri Garden. Consequently, I was compelled to withdraw my son from the hostel within 11 days & remigrate back to our hometown on March 19, 2009, just two years after acquiring our house on February 2, 2007.I arrived in time to contact her friend,coincidentally also bearing surname Maggo,who informed me that property dealer was known to her.For next two years,I made weekly visits to Delhi.During one of these visits,we explored options for petrol vehicle,even though I had already purchased Tata Indigo diesel from my 1st earnings as partner in construction company in July 2007. We discussed necessity of owning 2 cars & reached consensus.However I returned,as Spark model was not well-received by either of us.Few months later,Chevrolet launched new Beat model.Without informing my wife,I visited Chandigarh to view car from my mobile repair franchisee showroom Aforeserve Electronic Era.Despite my busy schedule,salesman contacted me within 15 days to inform me that customer who had previously booked Beat had opted out & he could arrange for me to purchase it.Remembering my wife’s interest in learning to drive,I agreed & suggested that he obtain local showroom’s number.Shortly thereafter,he confirmed that registration certificate would be provided,I paid ₹550k in form of draft to take delivery of vehicle.
A few weeks later,I attempted to reach salesman again,but received no response.
After multiple attempts, his colleague informed me,that the salesman had been involved in a romantic relationship with a registrar official daughter & had taken the necessary documentation to Muzaffarnagar, which shocked me. However, he reassured me that their company would take responsibility for the situation.I never met the original employee, yet I received the registration certificate. Upon inquiry, I was told that they were accustomed to treating the agreement as a rental, regardless of whether anyone lived in the house or not.Now agents along are refusing to renew registration certificate due to the addition of middle name.Despite my insistence that this is common occurrence,they seem unable to comprehend situation.Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that this issue can be resolved.For further insights into my experiences and the broader issue of corruption in India, please visit www.pollutionindelhi.wordpress.com.

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