Story - Intellectual Ransom

Rajaram was gazing out of window from his 50^th floor office of Plutonic Technologies based in the heart of the New York City. It has been nearly two decades that he had come to the country of everybody’s dream. It was in the early 80’s that he had after completing his IIT had got a job in the US in the same company where he has spent 20 years and was now the Technical Director. The last 2 decades have been quiet eventful for the young lad from India, who has been accredited with numerous patents and innovations in the field of telecommunication and software. He along with John King, the CEO of Plutonic Technologies had transformed this small time company into a major business house and it was now the worlds largest software company. There was no sector left that was not using the software developed by their company, it had become synonymous with all computers and applications right from personal computers to large scale super computers and used right from small offices to large government establishments. All this was because of the innovative product developed by “Raj” as he was known as, a fact acknowledged by all. Raj was also the head of the India Club a club of all NRI’s in the US and took deep interest in keeping in touch with his roots, a love which runs deep in his family. He was also head of Charity, which contributed towards upliftment of the people of his country, India. His father was in the army and wanted his son to follow suit, but Raj always wanted to go to IIT and come to the Wild West. No amount of his fathers advise to serve his nation and duty toward the motherland convince Raj, finally his father had to give up. His father was a guardsman in the Indian army and always wanted his son to become a Major or higher rank officer, but Raj had other plans. Raj knew he had hurt his father but resolved that he would prove to be a worthy son.

Raj was going through the morning news, it was a day of sorrow and sojourn as he heard the news that the WTC, was attacked and was reduced to dust. His daily routine was affected and he couldn’t understand what one could gain by indulging in such large-scale destruction. After this day it was never easy for him to ignore the prevailing situation in the world. The subsequent attack by America in Afghanistan deepened his thought that the culprits need to be taught a lesson and the US was doing the right thing. He had publicly supported the President for his action and had also garnered monetary support to his party. There were rumors in some quarters of the Whitehouse that Raj was vying for something lucrative which nobody new what. As days passed by Raj was found more engrossed in the prevalent political environment and had become more and more vocal about his views. It was during such time that the attack on the Indian Parliament took place, Raj wanted the culprits to be punished and deep down felt that it was time for India to take concrete steps. He was fed up of it being addressed as a tolerant nation that ended up tolerating anything and everything. His father’s tale of wars echoed in his mind and he sometimes wondered how fortunate is the western world, which is not exposed to the pain and agony of India. A world that has not seen poverty, hunger and disease, where animal is cared more than persons and how it could turn a Nelsons eye to the happenings in the other part of the world, just because it was not affected.

To get away from his ivory building, Raj decided to visit his parents in India. Coming to India had its own charm for him, it made him nostalgic and yes it did give him a sense of satisfaction of achievement. He visited his parents in the village. His father after retirement wanted to settle there and no amount of persuasion from Raj could make him come to US. He said that he loved his country much more than anybody else and would do so till his last breath. As Raj approached the house he could see his father waiting expectantly at the entrance. It was dinnertime and the discussion revolved around who was doing what. Raj’s father remarked that his colleague’s son Srinivas has become a Brigadier in the army and was now posted in the border. There was a sense of regret in his tone when he said this, which Raj realized, a dream left unfulfilled by him. The topics covered the prevalent tensions with the neighboring country and how the western world was silencing India into submissiveness. Raj could see his father, a true soldier at this age also always ready to lay down his life for the country.

It was time for Raj to leave, but before that he had something’s to do. He went to his father and said that the promise of his of serving the nation has come and he would be proud of his son in the days to come. At the banquet hosted in his honor by the Prime Minister, Raj remarked that the world would respect India for what it is and can no longer afford to ignore it.

Back in the US, Raj got down to task a promise that he had to keep. He called up the Presidents secretary and took an appointment with the President. The President though reluctant agreed. It was a closed-door meeting, which though scheduled for 20 minutes lasted over an hour. The next day, the US extended its unconditional support to India in countering cross border terrorism and extended a 5 billion dollar aid and removed all sanctions against it.

Raj was sitting in his cabin going through his software. The virus that could be activated by him and built into the software was still intact. There won’t be any system crash down, loss of valuable data or the NASA and satellite rendered ineffective. The telecommunications and software infrastructure of the United States of America was safe and functioning normally. Raj smiled, he had kept his promise.