"Come.. Come Sudhakar" - said Mr. Tripathi.

Sudhakar entered the spacious office room of Mr. Tripathi. The space of that room is justified, given that Mr.Tripathi is the top bureaucrat of the government for the sector in which Sudhakar operates.

In fact, a startup like Sudhakar could have never entered Tripathi's room, but for the strong relationship he had with the current minister. The relationship with minister had brought him to this room, but to take it beyond he needs the support and relationship of Tripathi.

"That driver I had asked for..? Could u locate someone..?" - asked Mr. Tripathi.

"Yes Sir.. In fact I have got him here along with me.." - said Mr. Sudhakar. "He is waiting outside"

Building a relationship with a person, in business, means doing all things to satisfy the needs of that person. And Mr.Tripathi is not an unreasonable person. In fact compared to many other arrogant bureaucrats, he is humble and kind. Never he has allowed his power to go into his head, unlike others.

"Is it so..? I will talk to him later.. Now tell me about progress of your project" - said Tripathi.

"Sir.. The project I proposed has still not moved.." - said Sudhakar. "I need your suggestion"

"Sudhakar.. I am telling you frankly.. I am not discouraging you. But your project will not take off at all.. You are not understanding our ground realities" - said Tripathi.

"Sir.. I understand.. But we need to break it Sir somehow. I have patented a technique for desalination of water that could help prepare potable water from ocean water at 1/5^th to 1/10^th of the cost of standard techniques available. I have demonstrated it to you and your team also. I need your help in commercializing it." - said Sudhakar.

"Did u talk to that Research Institute's Director..?" - asked Tripathi "What is he saying..?"

"Sir.. He is more administrative person. I explained him. He listened to me. Then he put me in touch with his technical director there. The technical director did not listen to me at all. I did not find him interested in research at all. His knowledge stemmed more from what he had read and listened and not what he had done. He was convinced even before I began that nothing will work in India." - Sudhakar said.

"And what about that Public Sector CMD meeting..?" - Tripathi asked.

"Sir.. that was also not much fruitful. The CMD was simply repeating his own problems. After few minutes of listening, he told me that this project is not within the scope of his company" - said Sudhakar.

"That's the problem Sudhakar. In government it is difficult to do anything. It is because of the socialist structure we have, u know..?" - said Tripathi.

"Yes Sir.." - said Sudhakar. "But in this case, I think socialist or non-socialist is not the issue I think sir. But you know better. AT&T were a monopoly in U.S. Still, they developed very many newer technologies that enriched the world. Indian monopolies have not done that.".

"Did u talk to the IIT professor, I was referring to..?" - Tripathi asked. "Even if he recommends something, we can use it as a domino effect".

"Sir, I met him. Technically he vouched my project, as I have got a patent. But he said I won't be able to do it from India. He asked me to sell the patent to some U.S. company" - Sudhakar said.

"That's the best "- said Tripathi "Tie up with a foreign company or sell it to a foreign company. Make money. And that's all. These things are not for us"

"Sir… But this idea belongs to us Sir. If I sell this idea, they will commercialize it and then sell it back to us. We will be loosing sir heavily" - said Sudhakar.

"Otherwise you start a company in Singapore or America and get your proposal in alliance with a foreign partner. It will help you know. We need their money" - said Tripathi.

"No sir.. If you help, I can definitely do it here only" - said Sudhakar. "We definitely have money here"

"You don't understand Sudhakar" - said Tripathi "Even for cleaning the streets, our people incorporate companies in Central America to hoodwink the people here that it is a foreign company. Worst case they name it to look like a foreign company. Otherwise why don't u sell this idea to Ambanis or Tatas..? If they get convinced, it becomes very easy you know.."

"Sir.. this is my idea Sir. I have got a patent. Does not the government have the responsibility to plan and enable technological advancements..? Is it the responsibility of Ambani's and Tata's ? " - asked Sudhakar.

Tripathi looked at him smiling. He knew Sudhakar is an angry young techie. Hence he allowed Sudhakar to cool down..

"I am sorry sir.. But what should I do now..?" - asked Sudhakar.

"See Sudhakar, let me be frank. I am getting retired in next 2 years. May be one more year, I may get extension. All the people whom you met will be easily above 55. They are more interested in ensuring that they don't do anything wrong. They are not going to take risk with your project" - said Tripathi.

"Sir.. but how the risk is reduced if the same project is executed by a foreign company?" - asked sudhakar.

"Sudhakar, if it is a foreign company with money, then they can claim it is already proven technically somewhere outside. Since money is not an issue, the risk they take will be less." - said Tripathi.

"Personally also they will get compensated well" - Tripathi said in a hushed tone. "Last few months of their career has to be as much remunerative as possible you know. What can you do to them? You tell me. Just because they are the people driving the country, we can't expect them to skip their post-retirement needs. Is it not..?"

"Sir.. what happens to our country..? How do we make progress on developing technologies..? What is the vision for our country's development..?" - asked Sudhakar. "In this environment, how will newer technologies get driven in India..? Who plans for this country's technological needs? When will we move from a consumer economy to a producer economy"

Tripathi sighed.

"Frankly most public sector corporations in India and most research institutes have done nothing in terms of technology advancements. Except for ISRO, can u show one Indian organization that has delivered significant technological advancements on their own ? None. Everything is actually bought out technology. Most of these organizations are glorified system integrators. They are manned by people who have at the most 5 years of service and 25 years of life. They come to these positions, as they are found more reliable and trust-worthy by their superiors. Most of their knowledge is hearsay and administrative in nature. No real Research, No real development. They call their system integrator work as development work and fool around people like us. Most of the businesses are pushed through vested interests." - said Tripathi.

"Sir.. what is the solution..?" - asked Sudhakar exasperated and angry.

"Sudhakar, one young man with a vision created C-DOT. But for him, even that would not have occurred. There is no point blaming our scientists and administrators. They are not driven towards a vision with inspiration. They need to face huge bottlenecks in terms of their daily operations. Over a period everyone gets used to the system and becomes idle. Unless there is a political vision, inspiration and driving force, our research, institutions and technologies will not develop in reality" - said Tripathi.

"Hence none will take risk on new technologies like what you are talking about. And currently no such young man, who can inspire and drive technological advancements is in sight. Better sell your patent off or find a powerful partner as I said"

Sudhakar remained Silent. He did not know what to do. He had no other choice but to start selling his concept to a foreign company or convince an Indian billionaire. His dreams of executing it on his own, with little help from the government, is finished.

He understood in India, nobody plans or drives any technology advancement. It is more an accident, if it happens. Our country's planners if any have severe short sight, whether they are bureaucrats, technology officers or institute directors or politicians.

Probably none plans for country's technological needs specifically.

"Ok sir.." - he said "I will talk to minister and come back to you. Shall I call that driver..?" - he asked.

"Yes.. Why not sure..?" - Tripathi said

************

"What car have you driven..?" - asked Tripathi.

"Sir.. I have driven old Ambassador.." - said the driver. He was standing before Tripathi and Sudhakar.

"Will you drive these newer models like Honda, Toyota etc..?" - asked Tripathi. "Do you know their inside story.? If any emergency handling to be done, will you be able to do..?"

"Sir.. I can drive these vehicles, though I have not driven these new models. I can manage sir. Frankly my vehicle knowledge stops with non-electronic vehicles sir.." - said the driver. "But I can try and learn"

"Uff.. If you don't know the modern vehicles, how can u really work with them..?" - asked Tripathi. "You know the traffic rules here..?"

"Sir.. I know. I can learn" - said the driver. "I have not driven in cities before"

"What is your vision..? Is it 6/6..?" - asked Tripathi.

"No Sir.. I have short sight..? I wear a spectacle" - said the driver.

"What is your age..?" - asked Tripathi

"Sir, I am around 50" - said the Driver " I am well experienced Sir. I am reliable and trustworthy. You can check with my previous employers"

"Sudhakar.. I am sorry. He will not be suitable. We have a tough selection procedure for car drivers. They need to know the latest vehicles, be familiar with the inside details of these vehicles, be up-to-date on all traffic rules with a perfect vision and age lower than 40. Driving the car for a top bureaucrat is not a simple task, you know Sudhakar. It is a very big responsibility. It is like he is carrying the life of the country, in a way" - said Tripathi.

"Yes Sir" - said Sudhakar in a dried out voice.

-TBT