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attitude towards the setting up of new industrial ventures in the states sapped

the enthusiasm and initiative of the business community. at persistence and the
father gave his consent on condition that wherever Mr. Modi might set up his

new industrial ventures, he would not leave the permanent residence at Patiala.

Patient efforts brought dividends at persistence and the father gave his consent
on condition that wherever Mr. Modi might set up his new industrial ventures,

he would not leave the permanent residence at Patiala. This the devoted son
agreed to abide by. So in 1931 when Mr. Modi had a chance to purchase a flour

mill in Bombay, he decided to shift it to a new site in Ludhiana, the industrial
hub of modern Punjab. Selections for the posts of engineers and other officers

were made and other arrangements too were in advanced stages of finalisation
when suddenly Mr. Gopal Sahai, the old trusted munim of the family, brought

the news that the father of Mr. Modi was not too happy with this idea. The news
was distressing, because by then most of the plans for establishing and running

the new mills at Ludhiana had been finalised.

Mr. Modi thought of a way out. He approached his father and assured him that

he would come back to Patiala immediately after setting up the new mill. But
the father was un convinced of the wisdom of all this. Who would look after the

family business at Patiala, was the question which nagged him. Finally, the son
had to give in to the wish of his father and it was decided that a new cloth mill

at Patiala would be set up instead of the proposed venture at Ludhiana. Official
permission for the new mill was obtained. Arrangements for the selection and

development of the site too were also made. Plans for the construction work
were finalised and selection of personnel progressed well. A capital of Rs. 1.5

million was arranged for the new venture. But just when these plans had

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