India Parks

Chapter 4: Import-Export

I conceptualized and finalized my plan of India Parks on a piece of paper on the flight back home. I felt the urgency to reach, impatience was taking over me but it was worth it. After exactly 23 hours our plane landed, I sent Madhu and Jaideep in a car home, hugged Raqeeb and went straight to the office with him. I had already called all my board members, I still remember the time, and it was 1 a.m. I went inside the conference room, closed the door, turned around and smiled at everybody. I opened a piece of paper from my pocket and read aloud.

1. 25 police officers

2. 35 small size retail shop keepers

3. 20 electricity board personnel

4. 30 maids

5. 15 kids

6. 30 people who know to prepare tea

7. 15 house constructors

8. 10 beggars

9. 30 drivers

10. 20 government officials

11. 15 politicians

12. 25 municipality cleaners

13. 5 doctors

14. 10 security guards

15. 2 poojaris

“I want all of the above mentioned Indian people here in the US, please arrange for their passports and visas. Kindly talk to the American and Indian governments and make sure this happens at the earliest” I said.

“Sir, any particular reason why R&S consultancy would need these guys?” asked one of the baffled employees.

“Yes, I need all of them for a park. A theme park” I said.

“Park?? what is the theme?”

“India” I said with all smiles.

“All these guys need to do exactly what they do in India with exactly the same integrity and commitment. I want the cops to be as corrupt as they are in India. The maid should steal as much as she does in India. Everything should be Indian in my park. Indian homes, Indian people, Indian tea, Indian roads.”

Raqeeb was smiling sitting in a far corner. I asked him what the matter was.

“You did not describe India but you described both India and Pakistan or rather I’d say India and Pakistan Parks”.

I smiled and continued “The people would have to stay for a minimum of 7days in the park by paying designated fees and would get a chance to enjoy true India. They would be given leaky houses, noisy neighbors, zee tv, star plus, the K series, everything they feel once they are in India. All their Indian needs should be satisfied” I said.

“Got you sir!” said John D Cruz, my right hand.

“Yes John! I know you are thinking about money, I will leave it to you to fix everything related to the amount”.

It was the first time that a country was the “theme” for a theme park but India was worth it. It could make an American forget his roots and drool over this tasty dish. Damn you Burger man! Later that night I asked Raqeeb if he wanted to change the name to India Pakistan Parks to which he said “what’s in a name?” and smiled. So in the next few days, a total of 350 people in India who never thought would see the insides of an airplane were brought to the US. A special guest house was constructed for them.

The work on the park was to begin the next day. The invitations for the opening program were sent to all the concerned people. I still remember the date. It was August 14. Tomorrow was Indian Independence Day. I would do my bit too. I’d create a new India. I was excited and scared, I closed my eyes, and thought of scene that I had seen in India of a security guard spitting in the road, stood up sang our national anthem and slept.