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THE JOURNEY | 43
on a remuneration of Rs.150 a month plus a 3.75 anna share in the profits (16 annas made a rupee). Maneklalmama, one of my maternal uncles, was also brought in as a working partner on a monthly remuneration of Rs.125 plus a 2-anna share in the profits.
Bapaji's decision to embark on a new line of business had a human angle to it besides business prospects. He wanted to create employment opportunities for more people.The diamond business, which he had made a success of, provided limited scope to employ people. As a conscientious citizen, he was keen to create more employment opportunities since he had the means and the capacity to do so.
Sincere and God-fearing as he was, Bapaji adhered to stringent business ethics. His role model was his own father, who had inculcated in him a strong sense of values. He had quit studies at a very young age to help his father (my grandfather) set up the diamond business. He never regretted it. He believed that his ultimate school was at his father's feet, and he religiously followed the standards set by Bha, both in business and personal life.
Batliboi attracted many from Patan...
Maneklalmama's father had a shop in Mulji Jetha market. One day, he came to Bapaji and asked him if he could work for Batliboi. Considering he was a close relative - he was his brother-in-law (my mother's brother) - Bapaji made him a working partner in the company with a 2 anna share as mentioned above. Vadikaka had a 3.75 anna share and Bapaji had the rest. Batliboi was a successful firm with its Main Office at Forbes Street in the Fort area of Mumbai. Later on, a branch office was set up at Nagdevi Street, which dealt mainly in hardware. With time, Batliboi established branches in several important cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore and Coimbatore.
As it kept growing, Batliboi attracted many people from our home town Patan.They would land in Mumbai and meet Bapaji and tell him that they were keen to work for his company. Bapaji would readily offer them jobs.
Be the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma Gandhi
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