Surya Hari had great ambitions for NUPS. He wanted this to become an empire that would straddle the complete gamut of everything related to education. When he heard about Bhishma’s new plans, he decided that he wanted to rope him to his dreams.
One evening he dropped into Bhishma’s house unannounced.
He pressed the calling bell. He could hear the chime coming from somewhere deep in the house.
The door was opened by Surabhi.
“Good evening Surya” She welcomed him with an open smile. “What a great surprise”
He walked with her to the sitting room
“The new arrangement in the sitting room is as gracious as always. Aha a new bonsai arrangement. I can’t but feel jealous of Bhishu for having such a creative and artistic wife” Surya was full of praise.
“Surya seems to have some agenda” She mused. “Else he won’t be in such a mood to praise”
“Bhishu, see who has come” she called out aloud.
Bhishu walked in from his study wearing a blue jeans and a white T Shirt
“Oh Hi, Surya. Good to see you. You caught us at the right time. We were just getting out for a walk” Bhishu said
“That is called destiny my friend. I was in the neighbourhood and decided to try my luck” Surya replied
“Bhishu you look 10 years younger. May be because you are no more a bureaucrat” Surya continued
Surabhi smiled benevolently. “He really wants something.” She thought “Today he is generous with his praises”
“Shall I get a coffee for you guys” Surabhi asked. “I am going to have one anyway”
“Good idea. I am ready for a coffee” Surya replied
Surya sat on the comfortable white sofa. Bhishu reclined on the diwan.
“How is your new project Bhishma?” Surya asked
Bhishma was happy to discuss his ideas on IES.
“Bhishu, NUPS will be too happy to provide any kind of support you will need for this venture. We can fund the whole project or a major part of it” He offered
“I will also give you the necessary administrative support. You can kick off the project from the premises of NUPS” Surya Hari continued.
“I am very happy with your offer. I intend to start the activities soon. If you don’t mind, give me few rooms at NUPS to kick-start my project.”Bhishma replied
“I am happy that you are willing to participate in funding of this project. My dream is to have an ownership structure that is widely distributed. Few banks have already expressed their interest. The holding company of NUPD can also have 10% of the equity.”
There was a flash of disappointment in the eyes of Surya. But he replied with a charming smile.
“OK this is a deal”
“How are the kiddos doing?”
“Sumati has got admission into Harvard Business School. Sujit is still in his grad School” Surabhi said
“Wow. Brilliant. You are really a blessed couple”
“I don’t want to hold you lovebirds from your nice evening walk at the park” Surya got up from his chair.
“How is Sunitha’s business these days?” Surabhi asked as she also got up.
“Oh she is a busy business woman first and then wife” Surya replied with a sardonic smile as they all got into the lift.
Surya got into his car and Bhishma and Surabhi turned towards the beachfront promenade. The promenade was a wonderful place for an evening walk. This extended about six kilometres and covered the northern tip of Indrapuram the capital of Indraprasta. The northern tip of Indrapuram was shaped live a wedge and extended in to the sea. One side of the wedge was the port and the other side the promenade extending all the way to the end of the wedge that merged to the mainland. For a long stretch the seaside next to the promenade had nice and sandy beach. Then it was rocky all the way to the mainland. The promenade had beautiful flower beds filled with a large variety of flowers. These flowers were interspersed with nice grass patches where people could stretch and relax enjoying the beauty around.
The skyscraper that housed Bhishu’s flat was at the point near where the beach ended and the rocks started.
“It was surprising that Surya walked in without announcing” Surabhi commented as they started their walk along the promenade.
‘Hum” Bhishu replied
Surabhi realised that he is deep in thought. Anyway they preferred to do the walk in silence.
After few minutes, they picked up speed. As usual they completed their one hour walk covering about seven kilometres. Now they were back to the point of exit from the promenade towards their house.
“Come let us sit down at the beach for sometime” Bhishu suggested
They walked along picked up a Coffee from Beachfront Starbucks and walked over to the beach.
“What do you think about Surya’s suggestion” Surabhi brought up the topic of evening conversation.
Bhishma decided that it was a good idea to debate a bit on that.
“You know Surabhi, NUPS today has done well. Surya is a capable administrator and he definitely played a key role in getting this up and running though the vision and dream arose from the brilliant brain of Dr V.” Bhishu said
“There is no doubt about that. But you know what his ambition is and where he would try to take NUPS once the dear Dr is out”
“It certainly makes sense for IES to have a strategic relationship with NUPS. It can build on the e-Learning module for college students that is linked to the NUPS curriculum and degree. Once the brand of IES builds up and large number of students finish their school using IES way of learning, this could be the way in which they can move over and do their college education” Bhishu noted.
“But NUPS is only for post graduation and research” Surabhi pointed out.
“That is today. Even if they continue in that fashion, I am sure they will partner with IES to build an online under grad courses that could help the regular graduates to up their standards in parallel so that they have a better chance in getting in NUPS.”
“Like everything else the education is also going online. The power of computing and connectivity is going to transform the field of education too. IES will make it possible for students from all types of colleges to benefit from the knowledge base being built up at NUPS. It will enable a larger cross section of students to aspire and compete to join NUPS. The geography is no more a restriction. The student from the small town can have the same opportunity as the student from big cities. It is not just the access; it is also the cost of access that IES will break down” Bhishma continued. He was looking far ahead. Surabhi knew he was no looking at the horizon; but seeing the future as it unfolds.
“Strategic tie –up may make senses. Strategic control is a no-no. He is like the camel. Once you give him headroom he will muzzle his way in”
“I know he will try. I believe that I would be able to contain him” Bhishu replied.
Bhishu got up. Surabhi realised that Bhishu would like to leave the discussion for now.
She also got up and walked back to their house.
***
To be continued
