‘They will have to stay and work overseas whenever required. We will take care of the logistics like their travel expenses and their passports. Do you have anyone who would have it in him to take up these challenges for a minimum of five years?

‘Take me on, Sawant bhai. Rashtra ke charnon mein khud ko arpit kiya hai,’ Kelkar said.

‘You and I are now old, Vishnuji. It is time for the young,’ said Sawant, laughing. ‘Do you have anyone?’

‘We can offer two lions for this mission. Rohit Joshi and Sahil Purandare. Both are graduates and have just qualified in the Mumbai Police examination. Instead of doing routine jobs and having an ordinary existence, they would happily be a part of such a prestigious task for a higher cause,’ said Kelkar. ‘Won’t you? Rohit, Sahil?’ he added, turning to address two young men who were standing by a Hero Honda bike parked next to his scooter.

Kelkar had noticed the duo’s arrival a few minutes ago and also calculated that they must have heard parts of his conversations with Sawant. He knew the two to be fearless young men who were aware about the world around them. They were also among the BVP volunteers who never skipped the morning drills.

Sawant valued Kelkar and his followers. For ten years, as a senior intelligence officer with the CTC, he had kept a watch on Kelkar, the BVP and a clutch of other right-wing outfits, on the lookout for any development that might threaten law and order. He had also worked to develop assets or moles inside the BVP.

Along the way, a few BVP office-bearers, especially Vishnuji, had taken a liking to Sawant and appreciated the fact that the CTC was at the vanguard of the nation’s fight against its external enemies and had made sacrifices in this war. He understood that it was Sawant’s job to keep an eye on the BVP’s activities and did not resent him for that. Over the years, Sawant and Vishnu had helped each other whenever they could.

‘Vishnu dada, for the country, we will do anything,’ Rohit said. ‘We can write the Mumbai Police examination again in four years. I am only twenty-two and Sahil is twenty-two as well.’

‘I am in, tell us the plan,’ Sahil added enthusiastically.

Sawant beamed.