To Sir, With Love

He is certainly a man of few words…to be precise, few ‘chosen’ words. He has the rare ability to curse profusely, openly, clearly and loudly.  With equal amount of ease and grace he can mouth the ‘rare for ears’ syllables that could reverberate any living being walking the earth and also analyze the complex epidemiological data, at the same breath.  He was like a fluid… miscible, present and yet undetected……especially at times while he would be presiding over the sudden unintended ‘rounds’, asking about things that I would be least prepared for.  Working with him, at his pace has been a challenge for many and certainly an uphill task for a scatter brain like me.  That’s him….my super boss, leading one of the public health programmes under the aegis of the Gujarat Government, where I was employed previously.

I am born lazy. Managing projects, meeting deadlines, monitoring progress against the set objectives, tracking fund utilization ….. too much for me to shoulder. Neither the international funding agency (the one that had once hired my services by fluke) nor I could endure each other beyond 24 ailing months. 

Soon after quitting the previous employer, I joined a government run agency to work in the field of HIV/AIDS.  This decision was certainly not prompted by my undying love to work on such 'in-issues' but to find a kind of work that would suit me and my temperament, the best.  At least that was what I thought before I got to work with this particular cult.   

Our dear boss would be seated in his office, fresh and crisp, much before we swarmed in. His office was sparingly furnished by a large wooden desk, some bare necessary accessories, few chairs, a worn down sofa set for the visitors in waiting, few steel cupboards and some moth eaten cabinets to store bureaucratic junk.  The wall to wall carpeted floor coughed up dust whenever he stomped around while the AC whimpered pitifully for much needed AMC.  

Known for his signature impatience, he would make his discontent quiet overt the moment one started to falter in speech or intent.  His visual acuity could detect the slightest mistake that unfailingly qualified the tasks undertaken by me even after my prudent scrutiny. His encyclopedic memory can put anyone from the younger generation to shame. His neat, measured handwriting and precision in choice of words was worth emulating.  His agility and level of stamina were envied by many.

Whenever summoned, before proceeding towards his realm, I would hurriedly implore the supreme power (usually Sai Sree, for his record swiftness in extending ready help) to be spared of his wrath. The hurry and anxiety loomed so large that even petty tasks like picking up a pen and writing pad would be certainly given a miss.  The backlash was apt and in place … a piece of his mind, “Ram Katha sunne ayi ho?”

But there was something in him, his childlike innocence, the honesty in his eyes, his integrity of character, his ability to accept criticism, to apologize publicly when proved wrong …… and a rare sense of humor made him extremely popular amongst his colleagues, students (being previously a faculty in a medical college) and his staff members. 

During his tenure, sir initiated the monthly ritual of organizing get-togethers to collectively celebrate the birthdays of all those, whose birthdays fell in that very month.  These occasions were made special. People were encouraged to exhibit their ‘special’ skills that the others were hitherto unaware of.  We got a peek into his playful side, when during his turn to perform, he had tickled our funny bone while subjecting us to a ‘live magic’ in September, his birth month.

Once, playing truant, I had requested him to follow a special dress code for the New Year Day mini celebrations to be held in office.  Just the day before, late in the evening, he was about to leave for home (with his usual bulky travel bag …containing important files waiting to be seen… 'homework'… as he would casually refer to).  The dress code requested was red shirt and black trousers, exclusively for the ‘senior citizens’, I cajoled. Feigning anger to be slotted as a senior citizen and admonishing me for my ignorance about the legitimate age limits, he went away. 

I had almost forgotten about this, till next day when I actually saw him walking towards me wearing a pleasing red cotton shirt and a jet black trouser…!!!  Calling me over in his usual uncouth tone, he said, “My wife is angry with you for calling me a senior citizen…but here am I, honoring the dress code”.  I profusely apologized saying that it was just a joke and there is actually no such dress code imposed on anyone in the office….but he simply dismissed….   taking it all in the right spirit.

3^rd June 2011, when sir left office to get transferred to another by choice, even Mother Nature had shed unrestrained tears.  The training hall was packed beyond capacity to bid a modest farewell to him and welcome the new incumbent of the post.  With moist eyes and choked voices each one of his staff members shared experiences of working with him.  A collection of rare pictures of him in-and-off-office was presented to him.  Almost all of us had acknowledged how each one has been reprimanded for our blunders … but also how and what we have learnt from him. On the same day, the new boss took charge and sir had introduced one and all of his staff members....eigthy in all, by name and specific details about their roles and responsibilities.   

29^th June 2012, I met him again.  It was a hot humid night without the slightest hint of Varun, the Hindu God of Wind.  We had gone to attend the marriage party of my former colleague’s younger brother where sir had come with his wife.  After exchanging the pleasantries, he asked me about my current responsibilities at workplace.  I was as such excited about my new assignments in the field of participatory efforts in protection and promotion of natural resources. Presuming that sir should be alienated from the NGO world and may not be able to see the link between energy use and climate change, I began to elaborate on the issue.

Pat was his response….. ‘A**ey Sudeshna….cut short yaar….mujhe yeh sab pata hai….just tell me  ...…what exactly is your role in all this?’  But this time I was not ready to cow down.  I retorted, ‘sir, why can’t you be a little patient.  I am coming to the point.  You have not changed at all.’ 

He softened a bit and said, ‘Always remember one thing.  Be clear about what is being asked and what you are delivering.  People will be patient’.

I think I got the point, sir.

(Able uncorrupt leadership, sharp communication, clear thinking and humane touch in dealing with the human resources…..these are few of the qualities that are uncalled for in government departments, at least I thought so.  A myth it is).