The Road That Never Was

In the tranquil landscapes of the Morbi district in Gujarat, nestled amidst the arid plains, lay the village of Vaghasia. Here, life unfolded at its own pace, untouched by the chaos of the outside world. Yet, amidst this tranquil scene, a quintet of spirited souls harbored ambitions as vast as the desert sky. 

The charismatic leader of the group, Jignesh, possessed a keen intellect and a thirst for success that could only

be satisfied by an insatiable hunger for success. By his side stood Preetesh, a man of few words but with a mind sharp enough to slice through the toughest coconut. With them were Mukund, Murali, and Jayesh, each adding their own spice to the curry of life.

They lived in a village along the path of a toll road that was overseen by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). For years, the toll plaza had stood like a sentinel, demanding its dues from all who dared to traverse its path. But our merry band saw in this toll road not a barrier, but an opportunity, like finding an unexpected treasure in a pile of cow dung.

One day, during one of their jaunts, they stumbled upon an old factory, its dilapidated walls whispering tales of yore. Jignesh, with a twinkle in his eye, concocted a plan so daring that even the monkeys in the nearby trees paused to take notice—to build a detour road skirting the toll plaza, leading unsuspecting travelers through the decrepit factory.

With meticulous planning and unwavering determination, they set to work, rallying their friends and allies from neighboring villages to aid them in their endeavor. They worked under the cloak of darkness, laying the groundwork for their ingenious scheme, while the rest of the world snored away in blissful ignorance.

But theirs was not a tale of pure greed. No, sir! They understood the delicate balance between ambition and morality, like a tightrope walker balancing on a thin wire. They diverted only a limited number of vehicles through their detour road, ensuring that government buses and vehicles with official number plates were left untouched. The youth manning the toll road before the NHAI toll plaza were well groomed and well spoken, ensuring that no suspicions were aroused among the travelers passing through. Their toll collectors were as polished as a freshly scrubbed brass vessel, leaving travelers none the wiser.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, their scheme flourished, reaping rich rewards with each passing vehicle. The toll tax collected by NHAI paled in comparison to the profits amassed by Jignesh and his band of merry miscreants. In a span of just ten years, they had amassed a staggering sum of close to 75 crores rupees—an illicit fortune born from the sweat and toil of unsuspecting travelers.

But as fate would have it, all good things must come to an end, like a Bollywood movie without a happy ending. The NHAI had calculated its coffers would be overflowing as the district of Morbi slowly became a hub of Ceramic tiles in Gujrat. The NHAI was counting on the increased number of trucks plying on its road because of the booming Ceramic tile business to make an even handsomer profit. But something was amiss as the revenue was not growing exponentially as was expected. It wasn't long before whispers of the clandestine toll operation reached the ears of the authorities like gossip spreading through a village tea stall. The government, incensed by the audacity of the deception, moved swiftly to apprehend those responsible.

Jignesh and Preetesh, the masterminds behind the detour road, found themselves squarely in the crosshairs of the law. Yet, to their surprise, they found unexpected allies in their hour of need. The villagers of Vaghasia, who had long benefited from their clandestine gains, rallied to their defense, refusing to let their heroes fall without a fight.

When the authorities descended upon their village in a bid to make arrests, they
were met with a wall of defiance—a united front forged from years of shared struggle and triumph. Tempers flared, voices rose, and chaos reigned supreme, like a cacophony of monkeys arguing over the juiciest mango. The air crackled with tension as the villagers, armed with nothing but their unwavering resolve, stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of their benefactors as the authorities found themselves outnumbered and outmatched.

In the midst of the pandemonium, Jignesh, Preetesh, and their friends seized the opportunity to slip away into the cover of darkness, vanishing into the labyrinthine alleyways of the village like mice escaping from the claws of a hungry cat. The authorities, frustrated by their inability to apprehend the culprits, were forced to retreat, their tails tucked between their legs.

And so, to this day, the streets of Vaghasia remain eerily silent—a testament to the daring exploits of those who dared to defy the powers that be. Though their actions may have been born from greed and deception, their intentions were noble—to uplift their community and pave the way for a brighter future.

In the wake of their departure, the villagers of Vaghasia found solace in the illicit riches garnered by Jignesh and his comrades. New educational institutions materialized, bringing light where darkness once reigned. Schools emerged, offering children an escape from the shackles of ignorance and destitution. With the foundation laid, colleges soon followed suit, opening doors to advanced learning and intellectual enlightenment. In the wake of their audacious deeds, a transformative wave swept through the village, shaping a future brimming with promise and possibility.

Yet, the most poignant testament to Jignesh and his comrade’s legacy lay in a temple, mosque and Church built by the looted funds —symbols of unwavering faith and solidarity, rising like phoenixes from the ashes of adversity. For Jignesh and his comrades, it was not wealth or power that defined their story, but the indomitable spirit of a community united by a common cause. Though they faded from the forefront of memory, their imprint endured, etched in the hearts and minds of those who dared to envision a brighter future. Their tale served as a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to come with the belief that unity and determination could overcome any obstacle.

Disclaimer: 

This story is a work of fiction created solely from the imagination of the author. While inspired by real events reported in the news, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to real events is purely coincidental. The characters, incidents, and dialogue portrayed in this story are products of the author's imagination and are not intended to represent or depict any specific individuals, organizations, or events accurately. Reader discretion is advised.