I'm a Master in India

The commercial management department of Mumbai is located near the Fort area, and the office it uses is an old Western-style building left over from the colonial period.

The buildings in this area are all in this Gothic style. After the British left, the Indian government directly took them over and used them.

But that's just this area. If you walk two blocks further, you will see the festering slums, pressing close to the footsteps of modern civilization.

This city is like this everywhere, its expansion is completely unplanned.

Rajesh and Anand, who live here, are also used to the chaos of Mumbai.

"Ron, the operating rules of the Indian government are very different from those of other countries."

"How are they different?"

"Here, no matter what your caste is, or which state of India you come from, your experience in dealing with them is often a transaction with a 'key person,' rather than a process of dealing with an important institution."

When saying this, Rajesh's eyes flashed with some kind of wisdom. This is a truth he has learned from being a patrolman for so many years, and it is also a truth understood by all his colleagues.

"So, the person I'm meeting today is some 'key person'?"

"That's right. All companies in Mumbai have their seals stamped here at the beginning. The person who stamps the seal is the key to the transaction."

Rajesh seemed to be a regular here. Under his leadership, Ron went straight in, and no one even asked a question in the middle.

After passing through a corridor and turning right at the end, they stopped in front of an office door.

"I've already greeted Officer Kumar. After you go in, get straight to the point and don't waste time. Of course, the most important thing is, you understand, right?"

Ron nodded, "I've made ample preparations, he will be satisfied."

"OK, let's go in."

After knocking on the door and receiving a positive response, Rajesh led Ron into the office.

"Officer Kumar, this Mr. Sur wants to open a travel information company. I mentioned it to you on the phone."

"I know, Rajesh, you can go now."

Kumar, behind the desk, was busy signing documents. He didn't look up the whole time, only the pen in his hand was rustling.

Rajesh winked at Ron and quietly retreated.

The room was very quiet. Ron looked around. This place was a bit too minimalist.

Besides the desk under the window, the sofa in front of him was the only other large piece of furniture.

Without making him wait too long, Kumar, whose hair and beard were a little gray, put down his pen and picked up the black tea on the table.

"Rajesh just said you want to open some kind of company?"

"A travel information company."

"This... I need to confirm whether the quota for the license is full or not..."

Hearing this, Ron seemed to receive some kind of signal. He strode forward and then took out a paper package from his arms.

"Officer Kumar, checking the license is too time-consuming. I think we can be faster."

Feeling the thickness of the paper package, a look of sudden realization immediately appeared on Kumar's face.

"Oh, I remember now, the license for the travel company is not a problem. Yes, that's right."

Nonsense, Ron secretly rolled his eyes in his heart.

As early as last year, India had abolished the industry licensing system.

The so-called industry license means that any private individual who wants to do this business must obtain the corresponding approval certificate.

From oil and steel to rickshaw drivers and stall vendors, all walks of life require licenses.

Without a license, it is illegal operation. Before 1991, India had been implementing this economic policy.

But as mentioned before, last year's economic crisis forced the authorities to change and liberalize control over the economy.

This is an Indian version of "reform and opening up." Since then, the licensing system has been officially abolished.

Now Kumar is deliberately pretending to be confused, and the meaning is obvious.

After a bribe was sent out, the other party's business level has improved to a new level.

"Did you bring the company registration form?"

"Of course," Ron took out a document from his briefcase.

Rajesh had already taken care of the necessary procedures for him, after all, that 500 rupees was not spent in vain.

Kumar looked up at the registered company name and frowned.

"This name won't work."

"Why?"

"Bombay Travel Information Company is too official, its similarity to the Bombay Tourism Administration is too high."

"Really won't work?" Ron gave him a suggestive look.

"No, no, won't work!" Kumar's fat head shook from side to side.

Okay, judging from the amplitude and angle of his head shaking, this time it really won't work.

"Then I'll change the name again," Ron conjured up another form from his bag.

Except for the name, this form was the same as the one just now.

Kumar marveled at his thorough preparation, "Sur, you are a shrewd person."

Ron smiled slightly, nonsense! If I had to run another trip, I guess I would have to pay another bribe.

Picking up the form, Kumar glanced at the company registration name again.

Mumbai Travel Information Company?

Hehe, didn't expect it, grandpa is back again!

Bombay VS Mumbai.

Both are called Bombay. The former is the official name of India, mainly following the British way of calling it.

The latter is the Marathi dialect name of "Mumbai," mainly used among the people.

It was not until after 1995 that the official name was changed to the common name of later generations, Mumbai.

Now, the former is the official name, and the latter belongs to the unofficial way of calling it.

Ron plans to give it a reversal in a few years.

Staring at the name on the paper, Kumar felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.

But he couldn't deny anything, after all, it didn't violate any regulations.

"I'll accept these materials, and I'll notify you after the approval is completed later."

Kumar was a little unsure, so he planned to delay it first. After all, Indian efficiency, those who know, know.

"Officer, my company urgently needs to open. For it, I borrowed a lot of money," Ron took out another paper package.

Kumar touched it with his hand, yo, this one is thicker.

He shook his head, thought for a moment, and picked up the seal on the table.

Click, click, click, before Ron could react, three different seals were stamped.

"Take it, your company can open."

Who said Indian efficiency is low?

Ron guarantees with rupees, these are all rumors!

He doesn't know how long the process for ordinary people to open a company in Indian government departments takes. His record is twenty minutes.

Of course, the 10,000 rupees sent out played a very important role in this.

After leaving the office, Rajesh was waiting there.

"Is it done?"

"Very smoothly."

"You see, this is what I said about the 'key person'."

Ron smiled. Today he understood another truth.

In India, corruption itself is a system.

After treating Rajesh to another meal as a thank you, Ron returned to the apartment.

These two days, he was not in a hurry to take on work. To open a company, in addition to finding "key people," the previous preparations also take time.

Pushing open the door, the fair, cute, and lovable Niya was rolling up her sleeves to clean.

"Baba, you're back early today."

"Because I want to eat the masala made by Niya."

In a great mood, Ron reached out and pinched her little nose.

With just this simple action, Niya's face blushed like rose-colored spices.

Her emerald-like eyes turned, half coquettish and half spoiled.

Does the master know that in India, there are very few such intimate actions between husband and wife.

"By the way, Niya, did anyone look for me today?"

"Oh! Baba, I almost forgot, a foreigner was looking for you."

"A foreigner?"

"It seems like they were from France. My English is not good, I only remember her name is Anna, she said she would call again."

Ron was stunned. The only French people he knew were the couple he met at Victoria Station before.