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HIRED AND FIRED...

"Telephone is switched off," is a message we get very often these days. To me, this message has some other import. When I receive such a message from a cell phone of a 'new generation' company executive or manager, often I presume that he has left the services of the company.

He may be "out of range" for some days. Afterwards I may receive a terse message sometimes noting the new cell phone number. It means, he has joined a new job.

From somewhere he is fired. Elsewhere he is hired.

.

When a cell phone goes on ringing and is not attended repeatedly, there is a tacit message in store for me. Is it the herald of another announcement…

An imminent danger of 'fire' is then smelt. With a fair degree of accuracy there is the forecast that the services of the concerned person are switched off…

.

One day I was making my usual telephone call to an insurance office. I was told from the other end, she was leaving that job. She requested for my help for a new placement.

I said, I didn't know anybody. But I promised to do something.

I talked to a friend of mine. He was the president and chief executive officer of a reliable general insurance company. I 'listened' to a 'pause' when I talked to my friend. Maybe that he didn't deal with such matters directly. It was his suggestion I talk to his regional chief.

I knew the regional chief personally but I didn't want to talk to him.

The job aspirant was a smart girl. She had in the meantime directly approached the local branch centre of the company and secured the job without anybody's intervention.

.

A couple of weeks elapsed.

I received an invitation from the reliable general insurance company. The occasion was the inauguration of the branch centre. Inauguration was by the president and chief executive officer of the company.

He came by a morning flight from Mumbai for the inauguration.

After the inauguration ceremony I introduced to him the new employee working in his office.

The regional head of the company was also with the chief when I introduced the employee.

"She is Ms. so and so," I told my friend. "It was for her sake I had talked to you," I told him.

My friend only smiled.

But his regional head overheard my talk. Suddenly he rose to the occasion. Promptly seized the opportunity.

He was in a mood to please his chief.

So he made the announcement: "yes, yes….I did it".

I could not help wondering how he had done it. That was the aggressiveness of a marketing man!

One thing my dignitary friend did know. It was that I had only made a casual reference to him of a person seeking a job. No name or any other details were ever given to him. I didn't also meet or talk to his regional chief any time. Then how is it that he made this appointment!

The fact was that this girl had secured the job on her own. Nobody else had really intervened.

She got this job. After a couple of months she left the job also on her own only to join another new generation company!

….

When I heard the claim of the regional chief, I remembered a girl who had come to attend an interview in my office.

Then she stayed at my place. Attended the interview. She got the job purely on her own merits.

But she sincerely believed that she got the job because of my efforts.

For many years thereafter she used to come to my place with sweets.

***

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FIRED AND HIRED...

FIRED AND HIRED !

 

"Telephone is switched off," is a message we get very often these days.  To me, this message has some other import.  When I receive such a message from a cell phone of a 'new generation' company executive or manager, often I presume that he has left the services of the company. 

 

He may be "out of range" for some days.  Afterwards I may receive a terse message sometimes noting the new cell phone number. It means, he has joined a new job. 

 

From somewhere he is fired.  Elsewhere he is hired.   

.

When a cell phone goes on ringing and is not attended repeatedly,  there is a tacit message in store for me.  Is it the herald of another announcement…

 

An imminent danger of 'fire' is then smelt. With a fair degree of accuracy there is the forecast that the services of the concerned person are switched off…

.

One day I was making my usual telephone call to an insurance office.  I was told from the other end, she was leaving that job. She requested for my help for a new placement.

 

I said, I didn't know anybody.  But I promised to do something.

 

I talked to a friend of mine.  He was the president and chief executive officer of a reliable general insurance company.  I 'listened' to a 'pause' when I talked to my friend.  Maybe that he didn't deal with such matters directly.  It was his suggestion I talk to his regional chief.

 

I knew the regional chief personally but I didn't want to talk to him.

 

The job aspirant was a smart girl.  She had in the meantime  directly approached the local branch centre of the company and secured the job without anybody's intervention.

.

 

A couple of weeks elapsed. 

 

I received an invitation from the reliable general insurance company.  The occasion was the inauguration of the branch centre.  Inauguration was by the president and chief executive officer of the company.

 

He came by a morning flight from Mumbai for the inauguration. 

 

After the inauguration ceremony I introduced to him the new employee working in his office. 

 

The regional head of the company was also with the chief when I introduced the employee.

 

"She is Ms. so and so," I told my friend.  "It was for her sake I had talked to you," I told him.

 

My friend only smiled. 

 

But his regional head overheard my talk.  Suddenly he rose to the occasion.  Promptly seized the opportunity. 

 

He was in a mood to please his chief.

 

So he made the announcement: "yes, yes….I did it".

 

I could not help wondering how he had done it. That was the aggressiveness of a marketing man!  

 

One thing my dignitary friend did know.  It was that I had only made a casual reference to him of a person seeking a job.  No name or any other details were ever given to him. I didn't also meet or talk to his regional chief any time. Then how is it that he made this appointment!

 

The fact was that this girl had secured the job on her own. Nobody else had really intervened. 

 

She got this job. After a couple of months she left the job also on her own only to join another new generation company!

 

….

 

When I heard the claim of the regional chief, I remembered a girl who had come to attend an interview in my office.

 

Then she stayed at my place. Attended the interview.  She got the job purely on her own merits. 

 

But she sincerely believed that she got the job because of my efforts. 

 

For many years thereafter she used to come to my place with sweets.

 

***

 

 

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'MISSING' GALORE ...

It was one of my usual trips. Such trips to far off places from my native town used to last at least a couple of weeks.

This trip was something different. Never before I had experienced such unfortunate things one after the other. Strange it sounds to me even today that all this happened in the same trip.

I was travelling by train. I reached the destination twenty-four hours late.

I could not report to the guest house on time where I had reserved room for my stay and so my reservation was cancelled. Then I missed the dignitary whom I was to meet.

Finally when I decided to return home, then again there was another shock. My train had been cancelled and the announcement came only just a few minutes before the start of train.

Strange things were happening one after the other. When I decided to return home, I had to buy a ticket for a journey by bus. Bus ticket naturally cost me more. After I bought this ticket, I had practically no money left with me. I had gone shopping before I reported at the railway station and had emptied my pocket leaving only the amount required for food during train journey. I had to pay more for the bus ticket. And so, even the money I had set aside was spent and there was nothing left in my pocket.

The thought that I had no money in my pocket made things worse. I was tired and could not help feeling hungry.

There were problems in the bus too. I had a confirmed bus ticket which showed a particular seat allotted to me. When I was comfortably sitting in this seat, another claimant for the seat appeared on the scene. My arguments were to no avail and finally I had to move to one of the back seats.

Bus stopped at different places every two or three hours. Passengers came out. Bought small things, tea or coffee for themselves.

I didn't come out. I had no money left in my pocket. I was terribly hungry. For the first time in my life, I knew what starvation meant. I had a cup of tea and a piece of bread. Even this I bought only after confirming the price in advance.

Bus was speeding through mainly country sides. Some times through hilly terrains and small towns. It was pitch dark outside. My fellow passengers in the bus were all sleeping. But sleep eluded me. I sat a little disturbed, lost in my own thoughts. That I missed so many things in a single trip was my immediate worry. I could not find any explanation for this.

It was a few minutes past mid-night. Quite unexpectedly my bus came to a halt. Driver didn't appear to know the reason. He was trying to start the engine again. His helper in the bus joined him. There was feverish activity. But the bus was cold and dead. Driver was not able to revive it.

Slowly and slowly the passengers in the bus were realizing that the bus required mechanical intervention. Repair was almost impossible at that place and at that point of time. At midnight and again in a countryside location, a mechanic was not at all possible to be found.

But the bus driver stopped a truck passing by and left for an unknown place. When he returned, he had brought a mechanic with him.

It was then the turn of the mechanic. He made all possible attempts to mend the defects. But only in vain. Finally came his announcement, he could do some thing only next day morning when shops were opened and he got the spare parts required for the repairs. Once again I was shocked.

I could not imagine even in my worst dreams that so many things could happen in one single trip: at home gas cylinder was empty when I was about to start the journey. I had to rush to the dealer but he had no stock. I ordered one paying the money in advance. I was asked to wait till the next load arrived at the dealer's place.

Train travelled twenty-four hours late. That again was an unusual experience. I could not get any food from the train as the train was re-routed and was running through an altogether unfamiliar route.

I could not get my guest house accommodation for the reason that I reached place late.

Then I had the misfortune of finding that the dignitary who had given an appointment to meet him had left the town. Reason: I reached late by one day. The whole purpose of my trip was to meet him and discuss certain subjects with him for publishing the same as an interview. And my disappointment in missing his appointment could be better imagined.

Then the train in which I was to return home was unexpectedly cancelled.

And finally when I decided to travel by bus, the bus itself developed troubles on our way and we lost many hours on the road…..

And coupled with all these unexpected problems, I was also starving without food as there was no money left in my pocket. For the first time in my life, I knew how it is to go without food. At times I had intentionally skipped meals, but skipping meals for want of money was a new experience.

And now… to cap it all, we were on the road for almost twelve hours without food and water. The bus which went off the road at midnight was finally on the road only by noon next day.

…….. …………… …………… ………….

I returned home a tired man. I found that there were a few coins left in my pocket when I reached there. But here also, there was a surprise in store for me. The delivery boy had forgotten to supply the gas cylinder. And my family members were also practically starving…

***

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THE INTERVIEW THAT WASN'T....

I always like to forget it. Want to forget, not because it was an experience which I do not like to remember. In fact it was all about something that I could not remember. I forgot everything was that which really happened....

Sometimes I used to say that I am a freelance journalist. Writing about something is my hobby. Then I started writing about people. I met them. Met them at all places. Talked to them. Mostly I confined myself to those who appeared to be keeping an increasing amount of interest in organisation improvment matters.

In an insurance organisation where I worked,I was out meeting different persons. I talked to them about the organisation. I discussed with them about the future of the organisation. I talked to them of changes to be brought about to improve its working at all levels. And I could find, they evinced keen interest in such matters. That was a satisfying experience.

I moved about throughout the length and breadth of the country. Met people. Wrote what they were telling me.

I started recording what these people had talked to me. These interviews were published. Such interviews did help me a lot when I approached others at higher levels of the organisation. Now, because of my track record, more dignitaries came forward and talked to me. They evinced confidence in me, in my work and they were encouraging me for the initiative I have been taking in such matters. In the process I found my confidence was going up. It was rising in crescendo.

Seeing my enthusiasm, more persons came forward to help me. They offered to allot me time for an interview. Slowly but surely I was realising that I am gaining more acceptance and success.

Even the country head of the organisation promised to talk to me. I waited for this particular appointment. It was not easy meeting him. But his Secretary promised to allot some time upon my request for the same. Then the Secretary put forth conditions: I should stay at a nearby place. Leave my telephone number with him. And he may call me any time for the all important interview with the country head. I could only say 'yes' to this proposal. Afterall such an interview meant many things to me. A tag of what can be called as some amount of prestige could be attached to it. To meet the country head of such a prestigious organisation was no easy thing...

Days passed by. I waited for the all important appointment. But I could not get the date and time. Even after a week's stay at that place which was about a thousand kilometres or so away from my home town, the green signal for the appointment was not forthcoming...

Then one day around 9 pm came the call from the Secretary. I was really very happy. Rather thrilled. I was a little excited too. I knew I was emerging successful in my endeavour to meet the head of the organisation and interview him to be published later. I rushed to the office. I was down with some kind of a fear.

I wondered for a moment what I would talk to him. What questions I would ask him, I really wondered. Although it was nearly a week since I planned the interview, I could not finalise the questions I should ask him. I pondered over. It was a very serious mistake on my side.

Then, without bothering much about all these things,I moved. I was taken inside the large hall where my boss was sitting. Secretary sat beside. There was also another person sitting. I didn't know him. My heart was beating. Such beating that I thought for a moment it was coming to a stop. There was perspiration all over my body. My mouth had gone dry. Who would give me a glass of water ? Yes, a glass of water... There was no possibility of myself getting it.

Time was ticking away. Interview doesn't start. The secretary looked at me. Others were also staring at me. But I could not ask a single question. Finally I uttered something. Mumbled. I don't remember what happened thereafter. I sat there for some time. I did ask questions. I got the answers too. At the end of the whole drama, I got out. Now a little tired but relaxed. Relaxed because there was a sense of relief that I finally got out of the chamber. The interview was over. Whether it was an interview or no interview, atleast I am a free man now !

The next day I returned to my native town. On my way back I was all along wondering what I had really talked to the country head. I had promised to prepare the text of the interview and send to his secretary for approval. That made me a little nervous...

To me,it was all a question of remembering something. It was also a question of forgetting everything. I had to prepare a draft. Come what may, I set out to do it. I worked on it. I prepared a draft and also managed to get the approval from the country head.

Several years have since passed by. I did interview several others therafter and prominently got it published also. But even now, after many years,I am still wondering what my country head had talked to me.

That thought disturbs me. Some uneasiness emerges. A constant worry or a regret of not doing a job well haunts me. Haunts me even now.

At the end of all, let me assure you, I published the interview. There was appreciation coming from all but only I knew my plight and the experiences I had gone through. I didn't remember anything at all. That I interviewed him is a fact. All that it followed was something which I would like to forget.... Forget now and ever after...

***

DUBAI BECKONS....

I have visited Dubai only once. Even when my daughter, who was staying there with her husband and her son Anirudh, invited me to visit Dubai, I was not in a mood to move.

Official engagements made me busy. I could have taken leave and move. But I wanted to be busy with office work. I enjoyed the work. I am an Insurance faculty. A few hundreds of trainees visited my Insurance College. And they are being trained here. It is an experience. Trainees are there from all age groups. So it is a thrilling experience to meet and interact with them.

So my daughter's invitation to visit Dubai did not fascinate me at all. In fact I tried to avoid this visit. But my wife had a different mood. She was in fact waiting for such an opportunity. And my decision in this matter weighed a lot. If I did not go, it would have meant my wife would lose the opportunity for a foreign trip.

Finally we decided to go.

Even when I reached Dubai, my mood was to remain indoors with my daughter and her son. But ... we moved out daily because of sheer compulsion. We visited the nearby shopping centres. These trips were mainly to get ourselves acquainted with such centres. Within a week's time I realised that Dubai is a City of shopping centres...

The whole world comes to Dubai. You can move from place to place. You can buy practically anything you want as your money may permit.

These trips we had almost daily were an enjoyable experience. Slowly and slowly I was finding out for myself what was in store for us in Dubai. In fact as days gone by, I was surely falling in love with this City.

I have visited a number of places... Whenever I visited such places, I mostly kept myself indoors with official work. But the days I spent in Dubai had a different description about it as I utilised the days to see the City of Dubai and I believe I could see a number of places there. But, as days passed by, I realised there were more and more interesting places to see. It is not something you can see within a couple of weeks time which we spent there.

We returned to India at the end of our visit which lasted a couple of weeks. But DUBAI BECKONS ME... BECKONS ME EVEN NOW .. If I get another opportunity to visit this City, perhaps I may not like to miss it !

DUBAI BECKONS....

I have visited Dubai only once. Even when my daughter, who was staying there with her husband and her son Anirudh, invited me to visit Dubai, I was not in a mood to move.

Official engagements made me busy. I could have taken leave and move. But I wanted to be busy with office work. I enjoyed the work. I am an Insurance faculty. A few hundreds of trainees visited my Insurance College. And they are being trained here. It is an experience. Trainees are there from all age groups. So it is a thrilling experience to meet and interact with them.

So my daughter's invitation to visit Dubai did not fascinate me at all. In fact I tried to avoid this visit. But my wife had a different mood. She was in fact waiting for such an opportunity. And my decision in this matter weighed a lot. If I did not go, it would have meant my wife would lose the opportunity for a foreign trip.

Finally we decided to go.

Even when I reached Dubai, my mood was to remain indoors with my daughter and her son. But ... we moved out daily because of sheer compulsion. We visited the nearby shopping centres. These trips were mainly to get ourselves acquainted with such centres. Within a week's time I realised that Dubai is a City of shopping centres...

The whole world comes to Dubai. You can move from place to place. You can buy practically anything you want as your money may permit.

These trips we had almost daily were an enjoyable experience. Slowly and slowly I was finding out for myself what was in store for us in Dubai. In fact as days gone by, I was surely falling in love with this City.

I have visited a number of places... Whenever I visited such places, I mostly kept myself indoors with official work. But the days I spent in Dubai had a different description about it as I utilised the days to see the City of Dubai and I believe I could see a number of places there. But, as days passed by, I realised there were more and more interesting places to see. It is not something you can see within a couple of weeks time which we spent there.

We returned to India at the end of our visit which lasted a couple of weeks. But DUBAI BECKONS ME... BECKONS ME EVEN NOW .. If I get another opportunity to visit this City, perhaps I may not like to miss it !