What are you doing tomorrow?

“What are you doing tomorrow?”,  It was just a normal question, from a friend's friend, kind of exchanging pleasantries, at a big fat wedding function, I attended yesterday.

“Well, nothing much”, I replied, without thinking much.

“So why don't you drop in at my factory? I'll show you around and tomorrow being Friday, it's even more better if you come. We have a small program called Bhandara, which we do it every week. We cook and serve the common people. And tomorrow it's going to be upma. Do you like upma?” Asked Yash, the friend's friend.

“Well yes, I do like upma.” That's what I replied. “And it's great. You are so young and an entrepreneur with your own factory. Sounds great. How old are you I asked?”

“Oh I'm 91 born. You do the calculations,” he replied.

Doing some mental calculation, I figured he was a little less than half my age and a little older then my daughter. I was impressed with his achievements at such young age. 

Yash, called me up again today around 2 in the afternoon.

“You are coming to my factory, right?” He confirmed.

“Well yes. You said 5pm right?” I asked still not sure if I will be really going.

He said “no. Come by 3/3.30. And get Kavish(our common friend at the wedding) along. Reach soon so that you can part of our service.” 

I made arrangements at home and reached the factory a little late(Commonly called Indian standard time). Yash was at the gate to receive us and greeted with a big smile. “So what's up? Welcome to my own-made factory.” “Own made?” I was wondering when he asked “what is your speciality dish? What do you cook the best?” 

“Rasam,” I gave an instant reply. 

“Well, okay do you cook upma he asked?” “Yes I do,” I replied.

He took us through an area full of welding machines, bending machines, paint and stuff scattered around,  to the first floor. A group of 8-10 people were sitting in a circle and chopping vegetables into fine pieces. An old lady on the chair was supervising them. "She is my buwa" (aunt) he introduced and asked "so which vegetable you want to chop?"  

"I am not so good at cutting vegetables" I said sheepishly feeling a little guilt at heart. "You use vegetable chopper at home? "He asked. "No I have a maid who chops for me" I said. 

Then he showed us around his hand made factory with make shift arrangements for every single requirement and then led us into his cabin. I was now astonished at his achievements. I asked if I can do a story on him and he obliged. We had an interview/discussion over a cup of hot coffee and he answered with his heart and took me through his journey of business which he started almost when he was in 9th. I will be writing a separate blog about his path to success in my next blog while continuing with the answer to "what are you doing tomorrow?" 

By then a lady came and he introduced her as the head woman of the factory. She was his right hand. And he causally mentioned "my team consists more of ladies and they do all the work with material like iron & steel plates punching holes in steel etc with ease. They are trained and in no way lesser than a man. I give equal opportunity."  The head woman, whom Yash addressed as madam suggested everything is ready, so we should go down. 

We all climbed down and there was this old fashioned stove made using lighting the wood to make fire. He showed the un managed area covered with shrubs and trees and said, that's where we get the wood to make the fire. There was a huge dish on the stove and colorful combination of vegetables were being cooked in the most hygienic manner possible. 

Two people were stirring the vegetables with big spoons. "Add more water." "No that's enough." "Cover with lid." " Let it get cooked in steam." Suggestions were pouring in. "Add rawa (semolina) now." " Slowly. " "Mix well. " "Lumps are forming." " Add water." " No add hot water. " "Oh no, we forgot to add coriander leaves." " Get them. " "Taste it." "Enough salt"  ...the excitement continued. 

"Hey paddy, come and stir this please while I add the water." said yash. I took the spoon and tried stirring it. It was thick, heavy and little hard  to stir the mixture. Nevertheless I gave in best efforts. Wow, I felt. I never got this kind of satisfaction thought I cook everyday. I was feeling joyful. The aroma of hot fresh upma with vegetables started to spread around. And so was the smoke of fire. Eyes started burning. But every one of us were too busy with cooking. 

Slowly, I could see kids gathering around. The aroma was spreading across the neighbourhood. Kids as young as 2-3 old to teenage were flocking around. They were watching from above how it's being cooked. They couldn't wait. They were excited. The crowd was building up. 

I went up and asked the kids to pose for photos. They were more than eager. The innocent happy faces were shining bright all around me. "Aunty click him." " Aunty click us." " Aunty here. " "Aunty this pose". I just couldn't stop myself from clicking their pictures. Finally the upma was ready. The kids knew it was being transferred to a smaller dish for distribution. They all now made a huge line. They knew that, the food will be distributed one by one. And then came out the paper plates. 

Scoops of upma was being given to them. "Aunty two plates for me, my mom is waiting at the home." " Aunty for me too two plates, I have a younger brother at home." " Aunty my sister is still at school, can I have one plate for her too?" " Aunty I'm hungry, can I have two scoops please. " I was busy the next one hour or so, giving away scoops of upma to the kids. Tears started rolling down my eyes. I wanted to hug them. Kiss them take them all home. Never was a plate of food more happily accepted than here. There was joy in their eyes. "Tasty isn't it said a little boy to a girl next to him." " Yeah she said. I love this uncle who cooks delicious food every Friday for us." "I wait for Friday you know" I heard a little girl saying saying. "Friday's are the best" another girl said. Slowly adults joined the queue. I heard so many thank you beta's(my child) and bless you's being muttered by them in a single day. 

By then the second huge bowl of upma was cooked. Yash said, "ok we are moving to the next street now. You both get the other bowl cooking to the corner of street. We are expecting a crowd of about 500-600 odd people there", and he moved on.

We loaded the third bowl into the car boot and proceeded to the corner junction. And a temporary table was set up there with the upma and paper plates ready. And slowly the story started to repeat. 

I know not what I'll be doing tomorrow but I surly know, I'll be at this place more often (on Friday's) to be part of this great service. While I took leave, every single staff member greeted me luck n love and said "tai parat ya" (meaning sister come again). 

This is the best day I had in my life and I feel blessed to get this fantastic opportunity. Yash, a super human, is doing a great job and don't forget to read more about him in my next blog. 

Stay blessed. Stay loved.