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My Unforgettable Business Associates

 


I wish to recall memories of some of my dealers who were completely different and unique. In the pharmaceutical field, usually 3 tiers of dealers operate - state level Distributors, district level wholesalers called Stockists and finally retailers who dispense medicines to the patient. I am talking now about 3 such Stockists.

P.Venkatapati Raju (P.V.Raju & Co): He was my stockist in Guntur in the 70's and early 80's. He was a highly educated man....a B.Com, B.L.,MBA. He was an upright person who never bribed anyone in drugs department and sales tax department. It is a record of sorts in those days. He used to keep his shop open between 8am-12pm & 3pm-7pm. No matter who (even the high and mighty officials of big MNCs) visited his shop, not for a minute after the closing times will he keep the shop doors open for anyone. In those days computers weren't there but his stock ledgers were always kept upto the minute to tally with the stocks on the shelf. He was a joy to deal with.

Dr.Bhajranglal (Naredi Agencies): He was my stockist in Warangal in late 80's to mid 90's. He was a paediatrician by qualification belonging to a marwari business family. He was a collector of pens from around the world and had a special passion for pens. He had a collection of around 150-180 pens. His other passion was for mangoes. He was a great connoisseur of mangoes. He gets varieties of the king of fruits from all over the country during the season. Being his personal friend, I had the privilege of being invited for dinner at his home several times. Marwari hospitality is extraordinary and one has to experience it to believe. 

Prasad (Sairam Agencies): He was my stockist at Tanuku in West Godavari district in mid 80's. His business was run from a premises owned by himself. It had a very big open backyard full of greenery with plenty of trees. If he took you into the backyard for discussing business, it indicted his regard for you as a business associate. Have you ever seen a man who got his mangoes from only one exclusive tree season after season? He ate from no other tree for as long as he remembered in his life. He presented only those mangoes to anyone he liked most. Do I have to tell that I had that privilege?

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