Part-3
Modi Constructions was founded by Chirag and Parag's father. Theirs was a typical rags to riches story, Jamunadas Modi was the fifth among the seven children of a poverty stricken labourer. They had a hand to mouth existence and during lean months there were days when they didn't have anything to eat. Jamunadas joined the workforce at a young age and worked hard to bring food on the family's table.
Though he was illiterate he had a sharp eye for opportunities. He left his village and sought employment in Rajkot as a construction worker.
He saved money and opened a small shop dealing in low-end construction materials . Most of his suppliers happened to be labourers who stole the materials from their worksite. Modi's business did bring in some much needed money but unfortunately it also made him look down upon his wife whom he had left behind in the village.
One day he went to a small-time contractor's house to take an order; there he saw a pretty girl who was drying her hair and singing while remaining oblivious to his presence. This had a devastating effect on Jamunadas, he forgot his family, his wife and his young son Viraj and decided to seek Sarita's hand in marriage. The contractor was having a hard time marrying off his six daughters and he gladly agreed to the marriage when Jamunadas told him that he doesn't want any dowry.
Back home Jamunadas' wife and son became destitute and all their efforts to trace him came to a nought. Sarita brought prosperity into Jamuna's life, his business took off and they became a well to do family. They had two sons- Chirag and Parag. They were both good at studies but Chirag was savvy and had an innate ability to sense opportunities whereas Parag was more intellectually inclined and liked literature.
Chirag won a scholarship and studied civil engineering whereas Parag(the black sheep of the family) went on to study Hindi literature. Parag's lack of interest in "anything that makes money " irked his parents but he was protected by his brother. After completing engineering, Chirag got employment in Desai construction. He learnt the tricks of the trade here.
Jamunadas decided to get his eldest son married to Hetal, the soft spoken daughter of his friend. He hoped to get an assertive wife with a strong personality for his son Parag so that she could spur him. Kokila, the headstrong daughter of a relative of Sarita's bhabhi seemed the perfect choice.
Edited by feviewer - 13 years ago