Page 17 - Gujar Mal Modi

CHAPTER

TWO THE FIRST STEP

Those were the days of World War I when businessmen were experiencing diffi-
culties in securing railway wagons for the movement of flour to the markets of

Lahore and Amritsar. In the absence of wagons goods had to be transported by
bullock carts. This meant higher transportation costs and also stiff competition

from the local mills which were able to move their products to the nearby mar-
kets quickly and at smaller costs. There were also rumours that one mill owner of

Ambala had close connections with the Governor of Punjab, and, therefore, his
mill had been able to secure wagon allotments more easily. The young Gujarmal

decided to find out the truth behind these rumours. He went to Lahore along
with the trusted Munim, Gopal Sahai, and found that the rumour was baseless.

A few certificates from the railway authorities was all that was needed to ensure
smooth allotment of wagons. This he was able to do. Armed with the certificates,

he hurried back to his father who was happy to see how cleverly his son had
managed a difficult task. The new step was destined to increase and expand the

demand for the products of their mill. The father was so happy at the achieve
ment of his son that he willingly gave him permission to take further initiative in

business matters. He also decided to allow his son to equip himself with modern
methods of book-keeping. Arrangements for this were made at the local branch

of the Punjab National Bank at Patiala.

There is another interesting incident which illustrates the enormous amount of

courage and conviction which Gujarmal had developed very early in his life. The

Modis were running a wholesale business at Patiala. One day a Marwari busi-
nessman came to the shop in an imposing dress and suggested that if the Mod is
could send their merchandise to Calcutta for sale through him, they could earn a

lot of profit. The father thought that the person was an established businessman

and commission agent. So he agreed to send the consignments direct to his

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