📖 Chapter 6 – Politics and Poverty
The morning air was thick with smoke from nearby factories. Ramesh Mehra trudged home, his shirt soaked with sweat, his face drawn and weary.
Arjun met him at the door. "Papa, you're back early today?"
Ramesh didn't answer at first. He sat heavily on the wooden cot, rubbing his forehead. Finally, he muttered, "The factory… they're talking about cutting shifts. Maybe even layoffs. The machines are old, the orders aren't coming. They say cheaper imports are killing us."
Savitri's hands trembled as she brought him water. "Layoffs? How will we survive?"
Arjun's chest tightened. He remembered this clearly from his past life. The early 2000s brought India globalization, yes—but also cheap Chinese goods flooding the market, crushing small factories and workers like his father.
"Don't worry, Papa," Arjun said softly. "Even if the factory closes, we won't starve. I promise."
Ramesh gave a bitter laugh. "You're still a boy, Arjun. You don't know how cruel this world is. In this country, only the powerful eat. The rest of us…" He shook his head. "We fight for scraps."
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Tea Stall Politics
Later that evening, Arjun walked past the neighborhood tea stall. A small crowd had gathered, as usual, arguing about politics.
"The local MLA promised jobs last year," one man spat, "but he only filled his relatives' pockets. We still stand in ration lines!"
Another scoffed. "Jobs? Forget jobs. Elections are coming again. They'll hand out free liquor and blankets, then disappear for five years."
An old farmer, his face weathered, sighed. "Corruption everywhere. If you don't bribe officials, you can't even get your pension."
The radio crackled in the background with the latest news:
"…Prime Minister Vajpayee has emphasized reforms and infrastructure projects. Critics argue that poverty and unemployment remain the biggest challenges…"
The crowd snorted and cursed. To them, politics was a bad joke.
But Arjun stood silently at the edge, his sharp eyes reflecting the flickering light of the lantern.
They only see corruption. But I see a game. Politics isn't just about votes—it shapes business, laws, and opportunities. If I want to build an empire, I must understand both markets and ministers.
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The Burden of Poverty
Back home, little Ananya tugged at his sleeve. "Bhaiya, my school fees… the teacher said if I don't pay this month, I can't write exams."
Her voice quivered. She was only ten, but her eyes were full of fear.
Arjun knelt and stroked her hair. "Don't cry, Anu. I'll take care of it."
Savitri's face was pale. "Arjun, your father hasn't been paid in weeks. I don't know how we'll manage…"
"Leave it to me, Ma," Arjun said firmly. "I'll find a way. I won't let Ananya's studies stop."
He looked at his little sister, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. In that moment, his resolve hardened.
This is why I was reborn. Not for myself. For them. For my family. For every dream poverty tried to crush.
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The First Calculation
That night, while the family slept, Arjun sat at the old desk with a flickering lamp. He opened his notebook and wrote:
Father's possible layoff → ₹0 income
Ananya's school fees → ₹600/month
Household expenses → ₹2,500/month
Current savings → ₹4,700
He tapped the paper with his pen. At this rate, we'll sink in a month. I need steady income fast… but also, I must prepare to invest in the market before the boom begins.
The Nanochip buzzed in his mind.
> [System Alert: Critical Family Risk Detected. Recommendation: Short-term Income Stabilization Required.]
[Hint: Explore larger foreign freelance contracts. Target Capital: ₹50,000 for initial stock investment.]
Arjun's lips curved into a cold smile. "Alright, then. If the world wants to crush us, I'll rewrite the rules of the game."
He closed the notebook with determination.
Small freelance jobs had been survival.
But now? It was time to hunt for bigger prey.
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🔥 End of Chapter 6 Cliffhanger
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What this chapter did:
Showed family struggles (father's factory layoffs, sister's school fees).
Grounded in real Indian poverty & politics (local corruption, national reforms).
Deepened Arjun's motivation: not greed, but lifting his family.
Set up the next phase: bigger contracts → stock market entry.
👉 Next (Chapter 7), Arjun will chase larger foreign freelance contracts and maybe land his first "life-changing" payment in dollars — while secretly preparing for his first stock market investment.