In the family of a debt-laden father and a bed-ridden mother, I am the elder sister to a 16 year old brother. Life has never been compassionate to my parents. Business never worked out, health never supported and finances were never sorted. Luckily, I qualified the entrance test and got myself an undergrad seat in one of the government college away from my hometown. Though the fee was way less than that of the private colleges, my parents used to struggle paying up on time. However, my mother made sure I completed my graduation, taking financial aid from her brothers. At the outset, I finished my studies with a fair result.

Post graduation, mother’s health started deteriorating further and we did not have sufficient money to give her care from a private hospitality. I was offered a job at a distant city, which I refused, only so I could give utmost attention to her. There was a list of expenses and liabilities laid in front of us, but no assets, no income to cope up with it. Father’s retail shop was of no good.

We were in a fix... Until one day, I saw our President, Dr. Kalam, delivering a speech to the students of a university. The moment he said ‘thank you’ and got off the stage, I knew who to seek for at this moment of disgust. I started following him.

The challenge, my young friends, is that you have to fight the hardest battle, and never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place. What will be the tools with which you will fight this battle? They are: have a great aim in life, continuously acquire the knowledge, work hard and persevere to realize the great achievement.

My aim was pretty clear, but I started wondering how to channelize hard work and perseverance. Being the potentially stronger in the family, I was expecting my father to figure out everything. I fought with him for his negligence, cursed him for not working enough and almost murdered the respect that I had for him. But it wasn’t bringing out a change. Rather, it was worsening the situation.  

When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand.

It struck me hard. What was I doing? I felt silly for pressuring and cursing my father. I finally stood up to be the magician myself. Mother’s medical urgency was prompting me again and again; and I knew I could not wait any longer. I started stressing on the different things that I should do to bring in some help. I asked my peers, teachers and relatives but no one showed enough concern. I applied to a number of jobs in my hometown but there were no vacancies. I personally visited them too, but the hiring season had gone past. My mother asked her brothers for help again, but they refused this time as the previous dues were not cleared.

We were slowly losing hope. In the process, my mother started undergoing mental traumas. I was running into a distressed state where everything was turning black. I could not see any rays of hope, recovery or sanity. I found myself staring at the ceiling with a blank mind. Doubts started creeping in; will we be able to make it?

We are as young as our faith and as old as our doubts. We are also as young as our self-confidence and as old as our fears. We are as young as our hopes and as old as our despairs.

I got up. I needed more of it, I needed inspiration... before it was too late.

Creativity is seeing the same thing as everybody else, but thinking of something different.

All I could see was an end. What was beyond the end? A door? But where was it? I was sitting with my mother while we were going through old photographs. The smiles that we were adorning in the pictures made the moment nostalgic and saddening at the same time. There were pictures of birthdays, anniversaries and other insignificant, but memorable milestones. We came across a picture in which I was holding a big smile, a trophy bigger than my face and a certificate. Mother and I simultaneously remembered that I was awarded the ‘Artist of the year’ at school. She remembered how I used to draw on all the walls of my grandparents’ home, how I repurposed wedding cards into birthday cards, how I made gift boxes out of cardboards of used products....

 Just then, my mind started churning. She was in a happy state of recollecting the long-gone happy days but I was suddenly not paying attention anymore.

That was my moment of creative being.

I realised, I was not putting my talent to work. Graduation business took away my zeal of making paintings and creating new things out of nothing. I started missing all of it. But keeping everything apart, I knew what to do now. I knew now, that there is a door beyond the end- I had to paint it myself!

Excellence happens not by accident. It is a process. You have to work hard to achieve it.

I ordered stationary supplies and started off. I took as much time during the day and worked nights together. Some days, I got only a couple of hours of sleep in total. My mother started worrying but she knew I wouldn’t stop.

 I worked hard with perseverance. Finally, I came out with a series of paintings, collectibles and gift items. It took time, a long time; but it was worth it. I approached a few galleries and they agreed to buy them at a handsome price. My creations were sold out within less than a month and I was left with a pocket full of solutions.

Everything started to fall into place. My mother recovered, I arranged a small toy shop for my father and little brother acquired his degree too. Things were not super great but we were just okay.

 I owe my success, my mother’s life and family’s stability to the finesse, Kalam. His words were enough to kindle the light in me. In short, he saved me.

I would like to ask you, what would you like to be remembered for? You have to evolve yourself and shape your life. Write your dreams down on a piece of paper. That page may be a very important page in the book of human history.

“I am not satisfied with this reformation. It is nothing but a big gamble. ”

“This government just wants to make quick decisions to show off to the western countries. How we will deal with it? Nobody cares.”

I was overhearing the conversation between two young men suited up with briefcases at the breakfast stall, while I waited for my parcel to get ready.   

“Dealing with it is a different game altogether. Is it even possible to implement? It is confusing and totally misguiding.”

“Right, these people sit in their offices and kick our bums on a regular basis. First demonetization, then this...”

‘This? What this? What is going on?’ .....I had no clue back then.

“It will only push inflation and hurt the poor and marginal middle class... like us.”

“Correct, this tax system is only for the benefit the government, not the common man!”

‘There is a new tax system coming in? There is an increase in taxes? Shit.. I already am running short of expenses... what is happening! I will have to...’

I was already lost in thoughts when the tea maker yelled- “Sir, here is your parcel... 58 rupees.”

I gave him the money, thinking this might rise to 60 rupees very soon... or more?!

I almost forgot about their conversation amidst the weekly Saturday rush in my puja supplies store. It was late in the evening that my uncle and consistent customer, Sunil Baba visited the store-

“Gagan, make my regular packet... and add two extra agarbatti packets for my home.”

“Sure, Baba.” I said and started packing his items.

 “So, have you planned your inventory for the next year?” he asked with a smirk.

“Why now, Baba? I always do this in December.” I stopped and stared at him. He had always helped me in my business decisions and had been a constant support to me in financial matters. But, this sudden question quizzed me.

 “Let me come back from the temple, we can sit after you have closed the shop.” he took his things and left hurriedly.

It was time for the temple to close and I was sitting idle, looking at the locals passing by. Baba took longer than he usually does. But he was just there when I was about to put down the shutters.

“Tell me, Baba. Why were you asking me about the inventory?”

“Things are changing... there is this big alteration coming up. Don’t you want to be prepared for it?” he asked, while he sat down facing me.

I was totally judging myself at that moment. I wished I was more updated with the news. “What change? Those office guys in the morning, they were also talking about it. Are the taxes rising?”

“Haha! Rising? Who said so? This reform is nothing but a big milestone in crafting a better internal system for managing the revenue of our country.”

“A better system? How? What is it about?”

“GST, Goods and Services Tax will replace the multiple taxes that the central and state government impose on us. It is expected to bring down the cost of running most households. Most products in your shop become tax exempted. Many food, entertainment and personal care items will see a big reduction in the implied tax. Wouldn’t it be better?”

“I had no idea about it. I only heard ill from others.” I said with a saddening face.

“There will always be two sides of the coin. But what we should be happy about is that we own the coin. Yes, the communication and transport industry will be affected otherwise. There will be a hike in the rates of medicines and telecom services.” He explained in a calm tone.

“It is okay, right? I mean, it will directly boost our country’s economy. And it will improve our developmental process.. which we all are looking forward to ultimately, aren’t we? But which taxes is this tax replacing?”

“Almost all of them! More than 15 taxes. Just name it- VAT, CST, Service Tax, Customs... GST covers them all.”

“Woah, I had never wondered if India could opt for this one-tax system! ... That means, instead of maintaining complicated records under the different sectors, all will be filed under one GST rule. And easier transactions... So, now my manufacturers or traders do not have to include taxes as a part of their cost of acquisition and production? Wow, nice.. It was always a mess, making the bus guy understand that the bill includes the transportation charges. Now I buy cheaper and sell cheaper! And, and... now I do not have to fill the boring long forms while dispatching goods to a different place!?” I was full of answers...rather than questions.

“Haha... yes, the paperwork becomes much simpler now.” he accepted.

“Wow. So why is there a fuss around?”

“Not all sectors are benefitted through this scheme. There will be a sudden decline in sales in a few sectors. The stock market and share market will be affected. Some people are creating havoc out of media-modified news. But after all, it is for the long term betterment. People are only looking at the odds. The opposition is not supporting. There will be a few hurdles too, but for me, this system unites our revenues.. and us.”

“Yeah.. It will take time to normalise the scenario. I think it is a great step and India needed it. Being such a messed up system, they are taking it forward and making it happen... great!” I was almost jumping.

“Exactly. India will gain prominence over the global market too. We are inching towards becoming a manufacturing hub. More investments, more employment and more income! Many countries are praising this long delayed initiative.”

“Obviously...” I smiled.

“So now you get it?” asked Baba, laughing.

“Hehe! Yes, thank you Baba! But why were you asking me to plan my inventory, now that things are getting simpler?”

“That was sarcasm, my dear! Who would know that the biggest news of the year couldn’t trespass your reserved world?”

“Oh... Hehe... Let us celebrate, Baba. Come over.”

“Sure, to a developing India!”

“Yay, to a corruption-less India!”

“To a better India.”