Market of Jugaad

Researchers love it, administrators hate it. Some call it the parallel economy. Others refer to it as the unorganized market. But my most preferred definition is the ‘market of jugaad’. True to the spirit of ‘survival of the fittest’ theory, the system or the lack of it has been around for long. And in order to prove its worth, it has not just survived, but has thrived.

My objective here is not to rationalize or judge the existence of this phenomena, on either the socio-economic parameters nor on moral-ethical grounds. I am just presenting the observations and amazement of an outsider.

I recently accompanied a friend to a car-repair shop. A prior appointment was taken, all stakeholders were informed and the date, time & venue were fixed. For me the visit was like attending a refresher course in business management, all in the span of a couple of hours.

We were asked to park our vehicle in a public parking slot. This was totally different from the authorized automobile service stations I visited in past. After a few phone calls and follow-up calls, the representative of the ‘market of jugaad’ came and met us. He parked his well-maintained motor-bike and walked towards us with a smile. He was dressed neatly in imitation clothes (like imitation jewelry) with logos of well-known brands. Over next few hours we realized that this man, who has taken minimal formal education, is actually a master of his trade.

Offered cost effective solutions

He examined the vehicle. One of things required was a change in the headlight. The outer cover had become almost opaque over the years and thus needed a change. While the customer was willing to invest in a new set, our SME (subject matter expert) refused. He removed the cover and gave it to his junior for a thorough clean-up. Needless to say we saved a few grands all thanks to a detergent and a brush.

Knew the product well

Over the next few hours, our SME examined and corrected all parts of the vehicle. From seat-covers to stereos, from engine parts to wheel-alignment, he knew everything about everything. At times I wondered if a trained automobile engineer knew his products so well.

Excellent marketing skills

While he saved our money on one side, he suggested multiple other changes. From small upgrades to necessary replacements. He sold and we bought.

Strong network with peripherals

Our protagonist maintained a healthy inventory of goods and supplies. Whatever missing could be easily procured from neighboring shops. Even the parking lot where we were parked, was a part of this syndicate, providing a work-space.

Customer relationship management

I have already talked of our protagonist’s marketing skills. He was adept in customer relationship management as well. He learnt that one of us wanted to move out for some time. On hearing this he promptly offered his own motorbike. This was nowhere a part of his job description, but certainly helped in raising our ‘customer satisfaction levels’.

Apprenticeship

They say one should start early if one wants to travel far. The perfect example was the young assistant of our SME. This young guy, maybe in his mid-teens, was undergoing his ‘on-the-job-training’. His assignment of the day was to clean the car headlights. And I must mention, he did it with complete sincerity. However the inexperience showed when the corner of the glass chipped off.

Focus on profitability

At the end of it all it was time for us to leave. The vehicle had undergone a few changes, some planned, some unplanned. Our protagonist promptly showed us the printed price of each spare part used. And added his labor charge. He even gave us a discount on the overall purchase. Even though we knew he had earned more than his labor charge, we didn’t object.

As we drove back, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering. Basics of business management are simple and easy to understand. They were demonstrated well by this man, whose name will never get published in any business magazine or training certificate. Yet, in our large corporate world, many of us struggle to figure out these principles from behind the guides of work cultures and processes. 

Krishna - many faces of a man

A lot has been said and written about the various roles a woman takes. Roles in the form of relationships. Roles as an individual. Roles in family and in society.

But today what fascinated me was Krishna – many faces of a man.

A lover and a ruler. A meditator and a negotiator. A fighter and a peacemaker. A strategist and an innocent kid. All of these together. And all of these in one man. May be every man.

I woke up with a kiss on my forehead. My lover turned, switched off the alarm and went back to sleep.

I got ready for work and headed towards the dining table for breakfast. He was already there, dressed in his smart business attire. He looked at me disapprovingly, “that combination doesn’t suit you. It’s making your face look dull.” I obeyed my ruler and went back into the room to change.

When I got into the car he was in some deep thoughts. He didn’t even notice when I sat next to him. And continuing to look in oblivion he said, “I am sorry. I acknowledge I have made a mistake. You were right.” He has been meditating about my words.

The car stopped at a crossing. He turned and asked, “Would it be okay if I stay in office till late today. And may-be even tomorrow? I can then ensure I don’t spend any time on office work over the weekend.” I knew his big meeting was scheduled for coming Thursday. And I also knew that the team will demand a celebration on Friday. But he negotiated it well with me.

The phone rang. It was the banker, reminding about the upcoming due date of loan payment. He seemed worried. “I know things are tight right now.” He turned towards me and continued, “But you needn’t worry. I will manage it all. Even if it means I work harder, I will do it.” I know the fighter in him will not give up. Not so easily.

The phone rang again. It was his mother, asking why he still hasn’t shared the income-tax documents with the chartered accountant. She was upset since his laxity was causing tension for his father. “Mom, I have ten things to manage. Please tell dad not to worry. I will do it in time.” Peace was restored.

Next ten minutes were spent in revisiting his plans and goals. “Earning money is not my objective”, he repeated the nth time. “You and I need to grow as individuals. Only then we can give our kids a right upbringing”. His strategy was clear.

It was time for me to get down. As I got down from the car, he looked at me, almost pleadingly. “Call me when you get some time. It helps.” The innocent kid wanted his share of attention.

He drove away.

A son to my parents. A father to my child. A friend to my friend.

And to me – he is all of the above.

A trip back to basics

Recently we decided to take a short family vacation. After an elaborate internet search we zeroed in on an eco-friendly resort situated near sea-shore. The experience, in short, was nothing less than a peep in the past.

As the journey was nearing its end, GPS signaled us to move away from the well-constructed broad highway. The narrow lane became narrower as we moved ahead, with speedometer indicating a sharp decline. The automated  GPS voice highlighted our close vicinity to our destination. However we seemed to be heading towards a small village. The kachha road (dirt-road) was broad enough to allow one mid-sized vehicle to pass through. It probably came into existence only due to this vehicular movement. At one point we had to push our car into the bushes on the sides, just to allow a bicycle rider to pass.

As we entered the resort premises, we saw an open field, being used as parking area. In one corner of this field was a stand-alone structure, comprising of a single room, big enough to accommodate maximum 4-5 people at a given time. A board hanging at its door revealed its identity as the ‘reception desk’. Trees and other forms of greenery covered and hid other structures present nearby, if any.

The welcome drink, we were told, was a mix of hibiscus extract and few other natural ingredients. All grown within the resort premises. And the drink actually worked the way a breeze of fresh cool air works in blazing hot sun.

The place offered independent houses of different architectural styles, followed in olden days. We opted for a naturally cooled room. Which in simple parlance is a non-air-conditioned room.  The well-furnished and spacious room had four low height walls. The thatched roof started at a height of 5 ft from the ground and extended high up taking a triangular shape. Lying on my extra large and extra high 4-post bed I could see a huge bamboo frame providing a base for dried leaves. Quite interestingly these were two separate pieces. The walls never really reached the roof.

The room had a private garden with sit-out area. The bamboo furniture merged well with the surroundings. The garden was ill-maintained in a planned fashion. Grass grew naturally and so did the trees and bushes. Everything providing a natural habitat for birds and insects alike, who came in plenty to greet us.

The bathing and washing area was outside the room. It had four concrete walls and a wooden door. However the roof was conspicuously missing. What was present was a big tree spreading its arms and providing a notional cover. And how I wished it would rain…….and it did. Once when god heard my prayers through the thick layer of leaves. And on all other occasions through the shining metallic shower.

The hotel premises also offered a few places to explore. Staff members guided us to the beach, sea-side restaurant and other amenities present inside. Wherever we went, we only saw graveled paths. We borrowed bicycles, which were available readily and in plenty for all hotel guests, thus aiding in our movement across the vast expanse.

The path to the sea was through a belt of naturally growing vegetation, giving it a feel of unexplored beach. Since this place was slightly away from city limit, sparsely spread human presence only added to the feel.

The restaurants presented a mix of local and international cuisine. Home-made butter and tomato ketchup were served with breakfast every morning. Fruits and vegetables grown organically within the resort premises added an extra flavor to the simple and easy on stomach food being served.

Though every experience of this short-stay was new and refreshing, my favorite moment was the morning. I woke up to sounds of bird chirping. The high triangle shaped roof made me feel small and protected under its enormity. I took a deep breath to inhale the fresh morning air and closed my eyes as if preventing the freshness from leaving me. When I opened my eyes again morning sunshine was filtering through the foliage.

On our way back I thanked my husband for choosing this place for our vacation. When I was a kid, I heard grand-parents' stories of life in villages during pre-modernization era. This was probably closest that I will ever get to it. And for my daughter, it’ll be a world she probably hasn’t even heard about.