Chapter 20 : A Conversation

After some time a car arrived it was Veerendra.He came along with his wife and his son.He came onto the dias and congratulated us with a gift.He introduced her wife Vani and his son Vikas who. was a 6 year old child. He gave me a bouquet made of lilly and roses.It was smelling like heaven.Veerendra said "Vikas prepared this for both of you in the evening." Vikas handed that to me.I placed my hand on his head and said "thank you very much Vikas...it is looking very beautiful." Rahul asked Veerendra to have dinner.Grandpa took a very good care of them.Rahul and I had a special dinner tonight.We played many games and enjoyed a lot.After completion of ring ceremony,Rahul went to talk with veerendra.

He was sitting in the hall with his family.Rahul went and sat beside him.Veerendra said with a smile "so,finally mr.Rahul...got a new job,new wife and going to start a new life....congratulations....." Rahul said to him "thank you sir.Actually I wanted to discuss about something else about the industry with you." Listening to this Veerendra thought that Rahul is telling him about the work given to him,he said "Rahul....just enjoy the day...we will discuss about the work tomorrow." Rahul was a bit nervous.I was listening to their conversation from distance.Seeing Rahul getting tensed I went to him to continue the conversation.I said with a smile "Sir...Rahul wants to tell you about something else." Veerendra became curious and asked "whats the matter...is everything alright." Rahul made his voice clear and started to say "Sir,the industry which you are going to start is a great idea,many people will get employed and this village would develop in a great way.But sir what about the environment?As a Chemical Engeneer I have studied about the consequence of the wastes produced by industry on the nature.When I have gone through it I got to know that the wastes from industry contain aniline vapours, carrier Hydrogen sulphide, chlorine and chlorine dioxide produced in dyeing and bleaching stages.Textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products. Harmful chemicals can be acquired through the skin, bronchially or through digestion.Textile materials can cause allergic reactions.Textile materials can even be carcinogenic and mutagenic. Textile products, which affect human and environmental health, should be taken into consideration.Not only to humans but also for animals and plants.The whole river would get contaminated due to the chemicals and the river would become lifeless.Many forest animals would die due to this.And if any accident occurs in the industry....that may distroy this whole village.Sir....please consider this...We earn everything for our children but the place where they live is becoming hell day by day due to our activities.Please think about it sir."

Listening to Rahul's words Veerendra was very angry.He stood from the chair pushing it back and said "is this what you want to say.....you are giving me lectute hear.You are an employee in my industry and thousands of employees like you work for me.Now you are saying not to open an industry hear right.....is that you want.....answer me....".Veerendra was looking very frustrated.Rahul remained silent for some time.Grandpa came and said to Veerendra "please dont be frustrated...listen to him once....he just want to explain.....". Veerendra shouted " explain what....he wants to close my industry....my business....my dream..".Seeing Veerendra's behaviour with grandpa I was very angry.But I dont want to loose my temper.There is an old saying - Ones anger is ones greatest enemy.So I kept myself calm.I just want to solve this in a peacefull manner.I just closed my eyes and remembered grandmas words.....A good conversation can solve everything.I went to Veerendra and gave him a glass of water.I asked him to have his seat.He had the water and sat on a chair.I kneeled down infront of him and said "sir,look at this bouquet made by your son Vikas.The Lilly flowers he used in this are wild type.They are scarcely found now.But before some years they were grown very frequently.But now due to industrialization and change in temparature and soil fertility these have become very rare.Sir....you have worked very hard to reach this position.My grandma always says that whatever the parents do is for their children. You may earn everything but if this earth is destroyed due to our activities then everything you earned for Vikas will be worthless.Sir.....I just want to tell you one thing...if any accident occurs in Industry,then the damage done to this village will be unpredictable and even if you want...you can do nothing.There is saying....hope you have heard this before.....'Prevent and prepare is better than Repent and repair'.If you really want to gift something to your children then please gift a beautiful and peaceful environment to live. Please forgive me if I hurt you through my words".

Tears started to fall.Controlling them I stood and started to walk from there.Suddenly Vikas hold my hand and said "why are you crying anty....please dont get upset.My father is very good.He will give you whatever you ask for.Please dont cry". Listening to this Veerendra wiped his tears.He stood from the chair and said emotionally " Hazel.....you made me realise that money is not the ultimate thing in this world....Love is something ultimate a human can earn.I promise you today that the textile factory will not be constructed hear....and I also promise that I will invest some shares to plant the endangered plants in our forest.We will protect it for our future generation." Listening to his words Rahul and I were very exited.Grandpa came and embraced me.He placed his hand on my head and said "Hazel...you made me feel very proud today...let your life be so peacefull."He gave me blessings.Veerendra was very happy.He said "Rahul....you are lucky to have such a smart girl as your wife."Listening this Rahul came to me and embraced me infront of every one.I was shocked.Grandma gave a serious look to Rahul.He immediately let me free.I started to smile at him as he was afraid of my grandma.Rahul went to Veerendra and thanked him for his decision.Veerendra said "thanks to you and your wife who acknowledged me about the destruction I was going to make.Thank you Hazel,you are very intelligent..." He said this looking at me.I said to him "Sir.... this knowledge was given to me by my husband.....he is the one who acknowledged me about everything." Listening to this Veerendra asked Rahul "how did you gained this knowledge??"

Rahul answered "TIME TEACHES YOU EVERYTHING".