The Price of Power

Date: June 15, 2009Time: 11:00 AMLocation: Ministry of Telecommunications, New Delhi

The grand building of the Ministry of Telecommunications stood tall, its white façade gleaming under the relentless Delhi sun. Aritra, Ishita, and Rajat walked through the marble halls, escorted by a stern-looking bureaucrat who led them to the minister's private chamber. The air inside was thick with the scent of polished wood and freshly brewed coffee, a stark contrast to the suffocating humidity outside.

Inside the chamber, Minister Suresh Sharma sat behind a massive teakwood desk, flipping through a thick file. He was a heavyset man in his late fifties, his face carrying the smug expression of a man who had wielded power for too long. Behind him, the national emblem loomed, a silent reminder of the weight of the office he held.

To his left sat Manoj Patel, the secretary of the ministry, a lean, bespectacled man with a calculating gaze. Patel was known for handling the minister's dirty work, making deals that benefited those in power while ensuring the bureaucracy ran smoothly.

Aritra took a seat across from them, Ishita and Rajat flanking him. He could feel the tension in the room, but he remained calm. He had faced tougher negotiations before—this was just another battlefield.

Minister Sharma didn't bother with pleasantries. He closed the file, adjusted his glasses, and looked Aritra straight in the eye.

"So, Mr. Naskar," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "You want to launch 5G in India?"

Aritra nodded. "Yes, sir."

Sharma chuckled, shaking his head. "You do realize that India hasn't even fully implemented 3G yet? You're asking to leap two generations ahead."

Aritra's expression didn't change. "That's the point, Minister. We have the technology. We have the infrastructure. The only thing missing is your approval."

The minister leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. "And why should we let a single private company control such an important development? What's stopping you from monopolizing the entire telecom industry?"

Aritra leaned forward, his voice steady. "I am not asking for a monopoly, sir. Any company that wants to compete is free to develop its own 5G technology. We have no intention of blocking competition."

Sharma glanced at Patel, who smirked slightly. "That's an interesting way to put it, Mr. Naskar. But let's be realistic. No other Indian company has 5G technology right now. And even if they tried, it would take at least a decade to catch up. That gives you an unfair advantage."

Aritra shrugged. "Minister, that's not my fault. If other companies want to compete, they should invest in R&D instead of lobbying for handouts."

Sharma's expression darkened slightly. "That's… not how things work in this country."

Patel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his tone light but pointed. "What the minister is saying, Mr. Naskar, is that business in India runs on relationships. You can't just come in and disrupt an industry controlled by people with deep political ties without making… adjustments."

Aritra smirked. "And by adjustments, you mean giving my technology to Reliance?"

Sharma smiled coldly. "Yes. Reliance will license your 5G technology and, in return, you'll get government backing for your expansion."

Rajat stiffened, while Ishita's fingers twitched slightly—her way of signaling frustration.

Aritra remained composed. He had expected something like this.

"With all due respect, sir, that's not going to happen."

Sharma raised an eyebrow, surprised at his directness.

Aritra continued, his voice unwavering. "We are not a charity organization. If Reliance—or any other company—wants to deploy 5G, they are welcome to develop their own technology. We are not handing over years of research and development on a silver platter."

Patel sighed, shaking his head. "Mr. Naskar, you're making this difficult."

Aritra leaned back, crossing his arms. "No, I'm making this fair."

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then Sharma chuckled, his fingers tapping against the wooden desk. "Alright. You want to play hardball? Fine. We'll approve your request. But the price just went up."

Aritra's jaw tightened. "How much?"

Sharma's smile widened. "One hundred million dollars."

Rajat let out a sharp exhale, and even Ishita—who rarely showed emotion in negotiations—stiffened slightly.

Aritra didn't react immediately. He expected an increase in bribes, but this was a ridiculous jump from the ten million originally negotiated.

He let the number settle in the air for a moment before speaking. "That's… quite the increase, Minister."

Sharma spread his hands. "That's the price of doing business, Mr. Naskar. You refused to share the technology—so now you'll have to buy your independence."

Aritra met his gaze. "Fifty million."

Sharma chuckled. "Ninety."

"Sixty."

"Eighty."

"Seventy."

Sharma sighed dramatically. "Seventy-five. Final offer."

Aritra studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Deal."

Sharma smiled like a man who had just won a game of chess. "I'll have my people prepare the necessary paperwork. Once the funds are transferred, you'll have your approvals."

Patel leaned forward, voice lowering slightly. "Mr. Naskar, you're a smart man. But be careful. Technology doesn't just change industries—it changes power structures. The people at the top don't like that."

Aritra met his gaze without blinking. "I don't care if they like it."

Patel smirked, shaking his head. "Then let's hope you're ready for what comes next."

The meeting ended, and as Aritra walked out of the ministry building, he exhaled slowly.

They had won this round. But the real battle was just beginning.