 Shyam, a working-class Indian living in Mauritius, tries to obtain money to buy a freighter and begins a romance with Ruku, the wealthy and snobish daughter of the bank president who gives him a loan, and offers his blessing of courting Ruku in marriage. But Shyam sees little amusement in Ruku s stereotyping of other middle and lower class people, and seeks solace by courting Radha, the poor daughter of his poverty-stricken accountant Gobal.