In Love of Honey, Money . . . and My Virgin Passport - Mita Jain

Subtitle: Story of Indian Youth in IT Industry

Date of Reading: 13/09/2013

Author: Mita Jain

Year: 2009

From: the author in exchange for an honest review

           There are two types of men (or women for that matter) -- Jumbos and Dumbos. The former goes high up in the social ladder, adapts to tricks and traps, gets fat with fame and wealth and becomes the caricatures of excellence and success. And Dumbos . . . alas! its a sad case. These 'idiots' stick to the fairy tale ideals of their childhood and consequently flagged by truth and simplicity ends up in the ditch. Excessive cases might have the rare opportunity to be a part of history, thereby they become instrumental in making future dumbos.

         Mita Jain's story is all about a dumbo, a hard working, truthful one who with his steadfast policies proves that goodness shall indeed prevail, even inside the competitive environment of an IT company. Last week I heard my fellow researcher commenting that Indian English literature is booming. True, at least some of them have left behind the topics of past to deal with the trauma of the new generation. 'ILHM' covers most of the aspects which an Indian youth passes through, especially the role of social networks, job promotions and of course finding of the true love. A true, funny outlook on today's software industry with laughter bubbling over each line. Thank you Mita for sending a copy.
          Vinay Dave is an aspiring engineering student from Uttar Pradesh who finally bagged his job on the 17th campus interview he attended. Company is SolBytes Ltd and he is placed at Hyderabad along with other new recruits from his batch: Cyrus, Farheen, Rajlakshmi, Nikhila and four others.

          Training for two months proved hard which also included a series of written tests which they thought they passed behind. Some of the work ethics too began to come to light which for Vinay was hard to digest. While Cyrus and Farheen copied each other's tests and passed in flying colours, Vinay stood steadfast to his honesty in spite of the difficulties faced. Eventhough it took him double time and twice work, he got his passport too without paying any bribe.
           

With the training period over, he is put into the group of Paramjeet Sodhi and is later on passed to the mentorship of the cold hearted Samar Reddy. Days passed without any work or invitations to projects. As a resume's value is zero without being in a live project Vinay with his friends approaches HR who entrusts them with an internal project. Though Vinay was the brain to solve the major issue Cyrus takes the credits nonchalantly opening up new doors for further projects to him.
          With Rajlakshmi's recommendation he too flies abroad in the end. The project handled by Samar in France was sinking the ship and he resigned leaving it to rot. Vishal Sadana who was on Vinay's interview board took charge and the scene shifted from internal politics to mutual trust.

         Vinay has by then recognised the lover in his best friend Loveleena who is studying in France and the project united the couple. A happy Dave goes back home knowing to full that hard work and honesty has its rewards.

Some quotes from Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/25875125-in-love-of-honey-money-and-my-virgin-passport