The First Move

At the dinner table he looked at his mother and father eating happily and cracking jokes. He wanted to talk to his father about the textile factory but looking at the scenes in front of him he felt it was inappropriate. After the dinner ended his father asked. "Is there anything you want to talk about" Hearing the question Arjun replied.

"Yes, I want to talk about the textile factory"

"What is it" His father asked.

The air is thick with the aroma of freshly brewed tea as Arjun and his father, Rajesh Malhotra, settle into their chairs. The plates have been cleared, and the family members disperse, leaving father and son alone. A ticking clock echoes in the background as Arjun gathers his thoughts, knowing this conversation could change their future forever. He spoke.

"Dad, I need to talk to you about the factory. I want you to sell this factory" Rajesh was once in shock; He had the urge to hit this prodigal son, but he still calmly asked in a stern tone.

"What about it? You know I built that factory from scratch. It's our legacy."

"I know, and I respect everything you've done. But times are changing. The textile market isn't what it used to be. Cheap Chinese imports are already creeping in, and with globalization knocking on our doors, it's only going to get worse."

Crossing his arms Rajesh said. "You sound like one of those economists who think numbers tell the whole story. Business isn't just about profit, it's about people, about family. Our workers depend on us" Arjun leaned forward and spoke. "And that's exactly why we need to sell before it's too late. If we hold on for too long, the factory might start making losses. If we sell now, we can secure the workers' futures by negotiating good severance packages or even helping them transition. But if we wait, we may be forced to shut down without any safety net for them."

Rajesh looked thoughtful and then sighed. "The textile industry has been the backbone of our family for generations. How can I just walk away?" Arjun insisted. "Because you're not just walking away. You're adapting. The government is planning economic reforms, liberalization, foreign investments, and competition from global brands. If we don't act now, we'll be crushed under the weight of debts and declining profits."

Rajesh remained silent for some time, stared at his teacup and then asked. "...And what do you propose we do instead?"

Arjun smiled slightly and answered. "Sell the factory while it still holds value, reinvest in a sunrise industry like Technology, IT, Telecommunication, Pharmaceuticals, even real estate. India is changing, Father. We need to change with it." Rajesh exhaled deeply, looking at Arjun with pride and conflict in his eyes and spoke. "You sound just like your grandfather when he moved us to Mumbai for better opportunities. I need to think about this, Son. But… I see your point."

Arjun nodded: "That's all I ask, Father. Let's not just survive, let's thrive."

The clock strikes midnight. The Malhotra household is silent, but Rajesh Malhotra cannot sleep. He stands by the window of his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand, staring at the dimly lit city skyline of Mumbai. His mind is clouded with memories of his father handing over the factory keys, of the workers who greeted him every morning, and of Arjun's words ringing in his ears.

He reaches for an old ledger from the wooden shelf, flipping through pages of sales figures. The numbers don't lie, profits have been shrinking, costs rising, and foreign fabrics already making their way into Indian markets.

He exhales heavily, whispering to himself, "Is my son, right? Is it time to let go?" In the meantime, his wife Sunita also entered the room and asked. "What's bothering you" listening to her question Rajesh told her the whole thing, after examining the situation she replied. "You should trust your son, after all everything we have is going to be his one day why not sooner, you can also relax in this way" Rajesh smiled and said "Yes I think you are, I should trust his judgement"

The next morning, the family gathers at the breakfast table. Arjun watches his father closely, noticing the tired eyes, the slight hesitation in his movements. He knows his words from last night have made an impact.

Rajesh clears his throat and sets his teacup down.

Rajesh Malhotra remained calm and measured as he spoke. "Arjun, last night, I thought a lot about what you said."

Arjun straightens up, waiting. Rajesh continued. "I built that factory with my father's dreams in mind. Selling it… feels like I'm letting him down."

Arjun said gently. "You're not letting him down, Father. You're ensuring that our family's future isn't destroyed by holding on to something that is no longer sustainable. Grandfather would have wanted us to move forward, not sink with a failing industry."

Raj nodded approvingly and spoke. "I need to see the numbers. Call Mishra Ji from the accounts department. If we're doing this, I need to know the true valuation of our assets. And we will only sell if we get a fair deal."

Arjun was finally relieved and asked, smiling. "That's all I wanted, Dad. A chance to plan, before it's too late."

Rajesh said half-smiling "I never thought I'd see the day my own son would teach me about business. "Arjun embarrassedly rubbed his head and didn't spoke.

The Malhotra Textile Factory, Mumbai. A massive, decades-old industrial complex with humming looms, stacks of raw fabric, and hundreds of workers moving about. Raj Malhotra and Arjun Walk through the factory floor, their presence causing a stir. Whispers say, "Is the factory being sold?" "What happens to us?"

Raj stops near the head supervisor, Mishra Ji, a trusted employee for over 30 years.

Mishra Ji asked concerned "Seth Ji, I heard rumors… Are you really selling the factory?"

"Nothing is final yet, Mishra Ji. But we are exploring options." Rajesh replied hesitatingly.

Mishra Ji looks visibly shaken. News eventually reached the workers, they gathered around, their expressions show a mix of worry and frustration.

A worker said angrily: "So what happens to us? Are we being thrown out?"

Another worker said pleading "We have families, Boss. We've worked here our whole lives!"

Rajesh glances at Arjun, the weight of responsibility heavy on him. Arjun steps forward, his voice firm but reassuring.

Arjun looked at him and then at the workers "We are not abandoning anyone. In fact, we're making sure that you all get a fair settlement, we will sign an agreement with the next boss in the next 5 years you will not be expelled, and if you want to leave yourself we will give you a year salary in advance and if we reinvest in a new business, many of you will be given opportunities."

Infact, although while putting these conditions will affect the valuation but he still wants to go with it, Infact his real purpose of putting 5 years period time limit is that he doesn't want to sell this factory really, but he must do it to raise initial budget, but he is confident that in 5 years he will buy back this factory.

The workers calm down and started murmuring, but the fear in their eyes doesn't disappear. Rajesh sighs, realizing this won't be as simple as signing a deal.

Back in Malhotra Mansion, Mumbai. A family meeting is called. Rajesh's younger brother, Ramesh Malhotra came to his house to visit when he was told that Rajesh is going to textile mill he was socked and then got angry. Arjun looked at him, Ramesh, his uncle is a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Mumbai. In the past life of Arjun he took good care of his family but he was unlucky because of heavy mafia control over Mumbai in 90's, his honesty cost him heavy, with the charges of corruption, he was dismissed from his post as with the downfall of Malhotra family he has no backer. While Arjun was in his thoughts he was interrupted by the voice of a slam.

Ramesh slammed his hand on the table "Brother, this is madness! You're selling your whole life's hard work just because of this reason? although market is unstable right now, but it will eventually return to normal"

Rajesh looked calm but firm "It's not just this reason. The numbers speak for themselves. If we don't sell now, we might be forced to shut down later with nothing in hand."

Ramesh pointed at Arjun "And why do you propose this silly idea, I know you are energetic and young, but this is madness? Invest in some Stock market? Gamble our fortune on computers and technology?"

Arjun replied calmly, "Uncle it's not a gamble, it's called foresight. India is opening its market. Foreign companies will enter, and if we don't act now, we'll be swallowed whole. Selling now means we sell on our terms." Arjun had to take some time comforting his uncle but in the end he finally did it.