Page 169 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

indicate about financial strength or weaknesses or personal characteristics
or business problems of others. These were great insights in deciding the
level of future dealings with other such customers on whom we got these
informal reports besides their financial statements and other formal
report.

The other major festival was Shivaratri. Many devotees would gather in
the main temple to celebrate it. They would make arrangements for
Prasad distribution as well as dinner. Some devotees would join and make
celebration arrangements. I remember, during the Shivratri festival, one
devotee distributed the video cassette of T-Series produced Religious
Hindi Movie 'Maha Shivratri' based on the 'Lord Shiva' and the Hindu
festival. This was a very good networking opportunity with a different
set of customers who used to come to attend this festival.

Some sweets were imported from India by one departmental store
dealing in Indian provisions, sweets, fruits and vegetables available at
Hong Kong prices. It was great pleasure to see and buy sometimes Indian
items in Hong Kong. It was very nostalgic experience visiting that store
in Chun-King Mansion mostly frequented by Indians/ Pakistanis/
Bangladeshis and other small Asian countries living in Hong Kong to buy
provisions of Indian Origin, and also reasonably priced electronic items,
toys, gift items, Consumer Durables by Hong Kong residents and people
visiting Hong Kong as tourists. Many shops in the Mansion were operated
by Non Resident Indians in Hong Kong or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
It was Mecca of consumer durables for every Indian who wanted to take
home such items at reasonable price.

Chun King Mansion also had a few budget hotels, guest houses and
restaurants for budget travelers from India and neighboring countries. We
heard that no visiting Indian generally would leave Hong Kong without
frequenting Chun-King Mansion, due to ease of communication with
Indian shoppers, the large variety of brands and items available at most
competitive prices in near vicinity and in the same mansion.

166 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole