The Quest for Integrity

Purshottam, a newly appointed bank manager in Amlawar City, India, has a strong drive to live an honest and ethical life. He believes that justice and honesty lead to better coexistence among people, and others of the same mind-set support him in working toward the mutual happiness of all. As a young man, Neki Lal values truth and honesty as well but is convinced early on by a politician that success is impossible without manipulation. Haunted by the curse of poverty and disease, he desperately wants to become rich and successful. He chooses wealth over ethics and soon finds himself in position as a union leader for the same bank at which Purshottam will become a manager. Neki Lal has a strong affiliation with political leaders and a willingness to hurt anyone who gets in his way-and now Purshottam and his ethics are doing just that. This philosophical novel, exploring the exploitation and corruption of men as well as the valuation of success over ethics, presents the story of the conflict between two very different men and the long-lasting consequences of their struggles.