“A Lot can Happen Over Coffee – Cafe Coffee Day” I couldn’t call myself an coffeeholic but a reasonable lover of coffee. Every time I read the above quote in cafe coffee day I feel like the best truth said in simple words and I witnessed it this year.
After self walk-out or a planned kick-out from Velivennu, The passion and desire to start an Institution in Visakapatanam of my own is immeasurable. In search of new place, I started this journey with Mr. Bullabai, Director Ushodaya School, Narayanapuram. His only son Mr. Naren got married to Kranthi’s cousin last year. So, Mr. Bulli is more of a family person than a friend initially which shifted other way around later in the journey. He’s a very simple and clear minded man with great positivity towards life. His expertise in land dealings, Gopala Krishna Garu’s guidance we both started the journey.
In our first trip on the first day Mr. Rao, A childhood friend of Mr. Bulli joined us. Mr. Bulli is in touch with few Land Brokers and they showed us sites in which non of them matched our expectations. We wondered for two days, in these two days every time we travel on Vizag to Vijayanagaram Road I felt somewhere connected with this vacant semi finished building. This building has a very simple elevation which is similar to our Eluru School building which I personally designed.
In our second visit to Vizag on the same purpose we want to return to a site which we have seen earlier but lost in route we ended up in a dead end lane next to this building. I immediately got out and said lets see this building by jumping the south side parapet wall. Before security realize whats happening and trying to stop me I asked him few questions about the ownership by then I am in the second floor analyzing floor plan feasibility for classroom and hostel. With at-most discipline watchman Mr. Reddy asked me to leave saying they are not supposed to allow anyone with out authoritative permission. Basic knowledge on construction for last six years helped me analyze the area by then and I felt Its a perfect fit. Before leaving the building I said “ It’s waiting for me and This Building is Mine” Mr. Bulli and Mr. Rao responded positively saying if you say so.
“I believe in intuitions and inspirations…I sometimes FEEL that I am right. I do not KNOW that I am.” — Albert Einstein.
I couldn’t find a way to reach Mr.Right, even after contacting few politicians or industrialists I know. I showed the same building to Kranthi and Gopala Krishna Garu in our 3rd Visit from Highway. Gopi garu reminded me of that building twice by the time I found a name, with whom it may take one step ahead. I contacted our Mr.Publicity Guy, Abinandana Lakshman Rao and said. “This guy Mr.I.S.Rao, Manager or something in Aurobindo, I need an appointment with him for 15 min.” After two day, one evening at 8:00 PM I got positive reply from him saying “Friend of mine who’s a GM in popular TV channel will arrange a meeting with him tomorrow morning.
When one door closes other door opens, Next Morning by first flight we both landed in Hyderabad and picked Mr. Sai Baba, General Manager @ TV 7. Next 20 min we were in Aurobindo building, IS Rao’s Cabin. Somewhere I felt he’s the person who can help me take to Mr. Right. We spoke for a while and he asked “Are you the decision maker, else I am not taking this any further with any middle man” I replied, I am the one. I listened to him carefully for sometime and took my chance and explained my vision and where I am coming from what I am expecting to become. This 10 min non stop confident self explanation had a great impact, which I can sense.
To my surprise they decided to sell it only after I asked for appointment and surely they are not certain about the price tag to put on . I explained Mr. I S Rao, that I have been looking for sites around the outskirts and nearer to that building and I gave him all the calculation and to his disbelief I gave both the selling price and buying price of the building with utmost genuine. He made few rounds between his boss chamber to his cabin for one hour. He fared us good bye with a common word, we will let you know . I am unable to take this chance go off, I recollected him speaking so high about his boss being young and humble. I asked him for his appointment for 15 min to get an inspiration from a MD of such a huge company. He made a request through phone and there I am sitting in front of Mr. Right over a coffee and in next twenty minutes deal got finalized and I gave him One crore rupees check as advance.
From bottom of my heart I feel indebted to these people Mr. Bullabai, Mr. Rao, Mr. Lakshman Rao, Mr. Sai Baba and the most important person of the whole Mr. I S Rao for their help with zero expectations and unconditional love. Mr. I.S.Rao has been there with me helping on Aurabindo’s end for next six months. He came personally on the registration day and while speaking to Mr. Gopala Krishna Garu, He said – “ I see an young dynamic entrepreneur in him and I personally like him for his enthusiasm, passion and his genuine nature. I helped him as I see myself who didn’t get such support at his age. ”
Now the building is registered on Kranthi’s and my name and started school and college for the same academic year with Eight Hundred Hostler and Six Hundred Day-scholars. Complaints by parents on semi-finished flooring, dusty classrooms, unpainted walls. .. its just the new beginning …
