In the Malayalam movie ABCD (American Born Confused Desi) a callous and spendthrift – Johns (Dulquer Salman) and his pal Korah are sent to Kochi by the former’s father (actor Lalu Alex). Though on arrival the spoilt-brats think that they are in India for vacation, soon they realize that they have been trapped and cash-strapped. John’s father advices them to earn a bachelor and to learn life in the hard way.
On close heels, Surat based diamond merchant of net worth Rs 6000 crores sent his 21-year son to Kochi to learn the importance of struggle in life.
Dravya, son of the business magnate, Savji Dholakia, had the same experience as Johns and Korah. He who is a MBA student in the US, was sent to Kochi while he was in India during his vacation.
Savji Dholakia Image courtesy: Rediff
Reportedly, Dholakia asked him to take-up this challenge for a month and Dravya accepted it. He was handed Rs 7,000 when he set out for the challenge.
However there were three conditions which he had to abide by in order to successfully finish the challenge.
Dravya was not supposed to use his father’s name or influence to get things done.
He wouldn’t work at a place for more than a week.
He would only have Rs. 7,000 for emergency purposes, which he shouldn’t use for his daily expenses.
Dravya chose to come to Kochi because he didn’t know to speak Malayalam, and Hindi isn’t commonly spoken there. It was difficult for him, but he came through.
It is learned that the Dravya worked at a bakery, a call centre, a shoe shop, and at a McDonald’s outlet in the city.
Image courtesy: Times of India
Though he managed to earn Rs 4000 that he found it difficult to meet ends with huge fraction of earning spent on lodging. He even found it difficult to manage a Rs 40 meal a day.
Well that was some learning life in the hard way. This is story not only sheds light on the efforts of an affluent boy to understand penury and daily struggle of a lower and lower-middle class man, but on the stark disparities in socio-economic constructs.
