Page 42 - Gujar Mal Modi

made his way to the factory with the intention of taking charge of the mill in

their absence. Taking charge of the keys of the cash box proved very easy be-
cause the chief cashier was overawed by the personality of Mr. Modi and did not

suspect any foul play. He readily agreed to hand over all the keys of the cash box.
Once this was done, the remaining task did not present any hurdle. With his deft

handling of the situation, Mr. Modi succeeded in achieving his seemingly insur-
mountable goal without the use or any force. As a gesture of goodwill, which

also reflects his tactfulness, Mr. Modi allowed the British manager to continue
in his post. When the Maharaja heard the happy news, he was overjoyed and he

decided to appoint Mr. Modi as the official receiver of the mill. This was a unique
honour for Mr. Modi because normally this post is reserved for one who is ac-

quainted with law or who is in the legal profession.

When Mr. Hari Krishna Lal heard the news, he was beside himself with fury and
immediately lodged a complaint with the British Government against the ruler

of Patiala. In his complaint Mr. Lal alleged that the factory at Bhatinda had been
taken possession of by force. The Maharaja in those days was not on good terms

with the then Viceroy of the British Government and he feared some legal action
might be taken against him. Mr. Modi was, therefore, summoned once again for

consultation. But the latter had accomplished the whole task without leaving
any legal flaws whatsoever. Therefore, when the Political Agent started the en-

quiry, he was shown the transfer deed signed by the Manager and the secretary
of the mill. This totally belied the allegation of use of force and so the Mahara-

ja was acquitted of the charge. This second achievement was certainly greater
than the first, for the Maharaja now began to have full trust in him and started

consulting him on every important matter concerning the State. These incidents
obviously added to the self-confidence of Mr. Modi.

While working at the Bhatinda mill, Mr. Modi had the opportunity of testing the
behavioural pattern of the bureaucracy. The factory was being run efficiently un-

der his able guidance. A small tract of land and a few villages formed part of the
fixed assets of the factory and Mr. Modi decided to auction them. An advertise-

ment was, accordingly, issued. But the then Deputy Commissioner had his eyes
set on this auction. He approached Mr. Modi and suggested that if one village

and a part of the land were given over to him at a lower price without auctioning

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