Shiva Ram noticing Arjun's approach ran towards him and started shouting in excitement "Arjun, Arjun it's done. i was able to perfect the UHT processing you mentioned in our previous discussion."
Arjun too was exhilarated upon learning that Shiva Ram had succeeded. without waiting for Arjun Shiva Ram continued
"It is a very simple process Arjun, all i needed to do was to heat the butter milk at 135-150 degrees Celsius for around four seconds and immediately seal it into a sterile package. I have done multiple experiments and figured the liquid inside the sealed package could probably last for almost four months without spoiling and this could be extended for even longer periods if we use more high quality packaging.
The issue is we lack proper equipment to test for the specific time period the packaging would last without spoiling. When i enquired with our Chemistry teacher at the school he mentioned such equipment would cost fifty thousand to a lakh rupees at the least. Instead i suggest we approach one of the laboratories in Vijayawada to do our tasks. Their reports could also help as our proofs when we submit our products to food safety bureau."
When Arjun enquired whether this method could be applied to other products Shiva was even more enthusiastic.
He explained that he had already tested this method on other products Arjun had wanted him to work on like Butter milk, Rose milk, Badam milk and various other juices although each one required a little bit different exposure duration to high temperature.
Arjun was very satisfied with Shiva Ram's work, It seemed everyone around was more hard working than him. He took the samples Shiva handed him and hurried towards Madan's home.
Noticing Madan was at home he ran to his office where he saw Madan was relaxing in his office chair. upon noticing Arjun he exclaimed "Ah it seems our newly made Lakhpati finally decided to visit this partner."
Arjun : "Please don't joke uncle, i was busy with work at the printing press and was unable to make time to meet you. I will return the money i loaned from you as soon as possible."
Madan : "Who had ever mentioned about loan Arjun, i am very satisfied with Karan's progress. These days we barely get to see each other, most of the time he is busy at the press. He seems to learn more and more about how to handle a business as days pass."
Arjun : "It was all your foresight uncle. Of course Karan had become quite hardworking these days. Even at the school he bombards me with his questions whenever we are idle."
Madan : "Okay enough with the small talk, tell me Arjun why did you come here today. I am pretty sure you would not be visiting without any reason."
Arjun then gave him the sample packages Shiva had handed him and mentioned this was a new product line he was working on. "Try the badam one uncle it's very suitable to adults. Also none of these have any extra chemicals only some heat treatment and proper packaging."
Madan tried the Badam milk packet from the samples Arjun placed on the table. He took a sip of it and took a while to feel the taste. This drink had the same Badam milk taste he was very familiar with and felt even better as it was chilled.
He slowly went on to tasting other samples Arjun had given him. Every one was very good tasting but all of them felt a bit too sugary.
When Madan mentioned this to Arjun he explained this was made so that it would suit taste buds of the younger generation kids. Only Badam milk was made to suit tastes of adults so it did not give the sugary vibe.
"These are very good products Arjun, but what is your purpose of approaching me, do you want to start a new venture together. Keep in mind Arjun this would be a very costly investment.
A middle scale production and packaging facility would at least cost eight to ten lakhs with distribution. Even without distribution it would cost at least six lakhs. Do you have enough money?."
"No uncle it's not regarding funding, I am sure i would be able to make enough money from the press in the next two months. In the mean time i want to get them through thorough testing and form a new corporation to apply for the food safety inspection.
These things take time and i am also afraid someone might possibly steal our concept during testing to sell to other major food manufacturers."
Madan being experienced in business understood his concerns. His friend had a chemical lab so further testing would not be a problem but getting them through food testing would be a tough nut to crack.
Arjun asked whether things could get easier if they greased some palms to which Madan explained it might be possible but they would have to grease many palms and even then it was not a guarantee their concept would not be leaked, Most of the food safety offices were already filled with people from various food manufacturers.
When Arjun enquired how long would it take for safety bureau to approve products in general Madan said it would take at least a couple of weeks. He felt this would be enough for the big players in the industry to setup their own packaging facility.
"Okay uncle, for now lets get this tested at the laboratory you mentioned, If everything checks out we can discuss how to deal with food safety bureau later on. Anyway i do not have enough liquidity for the venture right now, it would take a month at least to get money to setup the facilities. Also could you help start a new company under my dad's name using your connections?" enquired Arjun.
Madan accepted the proposal Arjun made and promised he would send Bhargav to Vijayawada next day to get the proceedings done. He mentioned though that Pratap would need to visit the town to sign the documents.
Arjun left to his house after taking one of each samples that he handed to Madan for testing. He was very thankful to Shiva in this aspect, Shiva made five samples for each product and they were proving to be very useful.
When Arjun reached home Pratap had yet to return from the press while Sari and Kavitha was busy with the drawing books. He could see Sari was doing more harm than good by interfering with Kavitha's work from time to time but noticing his mothers smiling face Arjun reasoned perhaps this was for the better.
Arjun placed his bag aside and joined Kavitha at the table to observe her trying to make a step by step process of drawing a rabbit. Sari meanwhile was writing down something in her notebook ,when he peeked to take a look he observed a string of telephone numbers with most of them crossed off.
After his father arrived Arjun called everyone to the dining table for a small family meet. He handed Pratap the Badam milk pack while Sari received drink which had her favorite color, Rose milk and the other butter milk packet was given to Kavitha and asked them to give them a taste.
Although they were skeptical they tore the packets to taste the contents meanwhile Arjun had to tear open the packet for Saritha. When Sari tasted what seemed like pink water she felt a chilled sugary hit. Enjoying this taste she quickly gulped down the entire packet inside a minute and came back to Arjun asking for more. He could only explain slowly that was all he had. She then proceeded to her parents side to snatch their packets from them. She did not like the Badam milk much but butter milk was once again very much to her liking.
Pratap and Kavitha who had never seen such drinks served inside packaged packets enquired Arjun about their origin. Kavitha wanted to stock some of them in their home so if any relatives arrived they could simply serve these instead of her painstakingly making some drinks for them.
Arjun explained these were products Shiva Ram came up with and went on to explain how these were produced and packaged. When the parents learned there were no added chemicals and could be stored for over three months they were impressed. Arjun then mentioned his conversation with Madan and wanted his father to come with him on the weekend to sign the registration papers for the new company.
When Pratap learned he was going to be the owner of a company, he felt gratified. It seemed his son had finally learned something in the past month finally giving this father something to boast about without mentioning his son.
When Arjun remarked about his troubles with food bureau's permi, Pratap just like him and Madan was stumped. He was a small clerk in a small village, he did not have any connections to help his son. As he was busy sulking he noticed Kavitha hurriedly taking out a phonebook from her cupboard seemingly searching for some number.
When she finally found the number she was looking for and rushed towards the telephone the rest of the family followed and surrounded her at the telephone table. Arjun and Sari had never seen their mother in such a hurry, Pratap meanwhile was observing her curiously. Haaa it seems motherly love was more important than her ego he exclaimed in his heart.