"Hello," a bunch of voices greeted me."Hello" I returned instinctively as I walked into class looking a like a martian since my right foot was encased in the costliest shoe that I had worn in my life. I was wearing a surgical shoe as I had during my journey in life fallen down the stairs and torn a ligament on my right foot. More on that historic occasion at some other time.
I occupied the first seat that came to my mind-which was actually on the last row. I had been a confirmed back bencher all my life and I reaffirmed my credentials. A word of explantion is in order here. I had enrolled for an Executive MBA programme. I had done this after two decades of service (distinguished or otherwise) to journalism and then corporate communications. I am on the wrong side of 40 actually forty five and what is more I look it. (Although, I must clarify that there are no silver strands as yet).
Even then I wasn't prepared for what quite happened. There was this guy who suddenly came upto me and who not only engaged me in conversation but actually sought my guidance. A few minutes into the conversation and I realized that that the guy had mistaken me to be well-- a teacher. Much to his disappointment, I had to clarify that I was a student just like him. This young chap said " I thought that the entire class greeted you since you were the teacher. Another chorus rose in protest, " Hey,we always knew that he was a student." I looked round at the class gratefully, with my ego restored.
I must say that the past two months in B-School have been a delight. While I had done some some short term distance education programmes before, this was the first time that I had actually entered the hallowed precincts of a class room after more than two decades. The students are a mixed lot in the age groups of 25 to forty five. I have realized why companies prize classroom learning over distance learning when it comes to an MBA. Like one of our profeSsors said," An MBA is a state of mind". The collaborative experience of working together in groups is something one looks forward to as it enables you to learn from others apart from getting to know people better.
Sorry my dear young friend. At this point in life, I prefer to be a student Teaching, will have to wait.
PS: This young kid who mistook me for a teacher has not been seen in class since my first day and seems to have quit the course. I guess he prefers to be a teacher.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Driver Jagannath Again
I am driver Jagannath again. Although I am not in the service of master Ravi any longer (and thank God for that) I still have to see him everyday. You see I have got another job in the same complex that he lives. Everyday, as I come in, I see him finishing his morning walk and flash my smile at him. At least master Ravi thinks that I am smiling at him. In reality, I am having a good laugh at his predicament. Months after he sacked me he is yet to find another driver. He has some temporary driver who my sources tell me make me dance to his tune.
This is what comes of not recognizing a good man who is doing his job. Look earlier, the population (pedestrians) had a problem. Now it is him.
On the other hand, my new master is a guy after my own heart. Look I am not even naming him. That shows you the kind of respect I have for him. No silly restrictions like driving at 60 kilometres per hour. He clearly believes that the world is a stage for drivers to parade their art. Nothing less than 100 kilometres on the highway. If in the process, some members of the population have to use their medical insurance, so what? No nonsense like, not getting into arguments with vehicles that are bigger than you. It is all about giving them a real run for their money. The cuts and thrusts on our vehicle are badges of courage. Finally, a master after my own heart. The guy is calling me. Obviously, we can take off.
Jagannath’s Master: How does one deal with Jagannath ? Granted that he is not mad but that is not saying much. He thinks that I really enjoy his driving. The facts are otherwise. I am too terrified to say anything when he whizzes past at 100 or is it 1000 kilometres per hour. I don’t care about the scratches on the car? Of Course I do. I shoud be in a state to admit this. Usually, I am too happy to just get off and run to safety. What does Jagannath mean by saying that he is not smiling but laughing at Ravi? Ravi takes it out on me. Whenever he sees me he doesn’t smile or laugh. He has no need to. He just shakes my hand and gives me a wink. That is his way of telling me: I know the feeling.
At last , I have mustered the courage to tell Jagannath that he has to go. That is why I have called him. My parents refuse to get on to the car. So much as I dread facing this modern version of James Bond with his own interpretation of a licence to kill, I am going to ask him to go. It is all about loving your parents you know. And will someone now tell Ravi that he can stop winking and actually start laughing.?
This is what comes of not recognizing a good man who is doing his job. Look earlier, the population (pedestrians) had a problem. Now it is him.
On the other hand, my new master is a guy after my own heart. Look I am not even naming him. That shows you the kind of respect I have for him. No silly restrictions like driving at 60 kilometres per hour. He clearly believes that the world is a stage for drivers to parade their art. Nothing less than 100 kilometres on the highway. If in the process, some members of the population have to use their medical insurance, so what? No nonsense like, not getting into arguments with vehicles that are bigger than you. It is all about giving them a real run for their money. The cuts and thrusts on our vehicle are badges of courage. Finally, a master after my own heart. The guy is calling me. Obviously, we can take off.
Jagannath’s Master: How does one deal with Jagannath ? Granted that he is not mad but that is not saying much. He thinks that I really enjoy his driving. The facts are otherwise. I am too terrified to say anything when he whizzes past at 100 or is it 1000 kilometres per hour. I don’t care about the scratches on the car? Of Course I do. I shoud be in a state to admit this. Usually, I am too happy to just get off and run to safety. What does Jagannath mean by saying that he is not smiling but laughing at Ravi? Ravi takes it out on me. Whenever he sees me he doesn’t smile or laugh. He has no need to. He just shakes my hand and gives me a wink. That is his way of telling me: I know the feeling.
At last , I have mustered the courage to tell Jagannath that he has to go. That is why I have called him. My parents refuse to get on to the car. So much as I dread facing this modern version of James Bond with his own interpretation of a licence to kill, I am going to ask him to go. It is all about loving your parents you know. And will someone now tell Ravi that he can stop winking and actually start laughing.?
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Tribute to an Unknown Indian
November 10, 2010 is a day in my life that I will never forget. My son Sanjiv completed five years and we visited the family temple at Kalidaikurichi village in Tirunleveli District of Tamil Nadu. We were at the village after 35 years at the express desire of my father who wanted me to worship at the temple at least once in my life. Apart from my father and son, I was accompanied by my brother-in-law—Parthu-and father-in-law Mr Krishnan.
As the priest was performing the prayers, my worst fears came true. Suddenly my brother-in-law looked at my father and exclaimed that he appeared to be in trouble. A word of explanation is needed here. My father is a diabetic and at times he tends to lose consciousness, ironically enough when the sugar level dips. Indeed my father appeared to lose consciousness; we gave him sugar as we are generally prepared for such contingencies. He recovered but it was apparent to us that he was still not completely okay. My father however insisted on being in the temple as the prayers were still on.
Soon, it was clear that that this was not sustainable and my father fell unconscious again. My brother-in-law then acted swiftly and carried him on his shoulders to the vehicle parked outside the temple while a priest accompanied us to in order to give us direction to the hospital. A big thank you to these two men who were instrumental in saving my father’s life by their timely action.
Once we got to hospital, and explained the problem, the doctor put him on intravenous medication and wanted to see his case reports. I promised to secure it, went out and hailed an auto and explained the situation to the driver. The driver quickly took me to our relative’s place where we were staying and agreed to wait while I secured his case history.
Soon I was back in the auto with the reports and my mother. When we reached the hospital, we found out that my father had regained consciousness. I went back to the auto driver and offered to pay him extra money. He refused. I was touched and asked him for his name. “Ramaswami”, he replied. I thanked him fervently. I thank this unknown Indian again who resides in the small village of Kalidaikurichi but has kept alive my faith in human nature. Thank you once more Ramaswami.
As the priest was performing the prayers, my worst fears came true. Suddenly my brother-in-law looked at my father and exclaimed that he appeared to be in trouble. A word of explanation is needed here. My father is a diabetic and at times he tends to lose consciousness, ironically enough when the sugar level dips. Indeed my father appeared to lose consciousness; we gave him sugar as we are generally prepared for such contingencies. He recovered but it was apparent to us that he was still not completely okay. My father however insisted on being in the temple as the prayers were still on.
Soon, it was clear that that this was not sustainable and my father fell unconscious again. My brother-in-law then acted swiftly and carried him on his shoulders to the vehicle parked outside the temple while a priest accompanied us to in order to give us direction to the hospital. A big thank you to these two men who were instrumental in saving my father’s life by their timely action.
Once we got to hospital, and explained the problem, the doctor put him on intravenous medication and wanted to see his case reports. I promised to secure it, went out and hailed an auto and explained the situation to the driver. The driver quickly took me to our relative’s place where we were staying and agreed to wait while I secured his case history.
Soon I was back in the auto with the reports and my mother. When we reached the hospital, we found out that my father had regained consciousness. I went back to the auto driver and offered to pay him extra money. He refused. I was touched and asked him for his name. “Ramaswami”, he replied. I thanked him fervently. I thank this unknown Indian again who resides in the small village of Kalidaikurichi but has kept alive my faith in human nature. Thank you once more Ramaswami.
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