GRATITUDE - Letters from a Grandfather to future generations.

PREAMBLE revisited

Having got through narrating the story of my work-life in the early years, a realization dawns that what I pen here should be of much interest to future generations. I address those of you in mid life  mid career now and others who are just embarking on their careers. You need to know that success in life is a function of one’s own effort aided and abetted by fair minded and generous people one befriends on one’s journey.  You need also to accept that a bigger force dictates many a turn in our life.  And, Be assured that good things happen to good people.  I do thrive on the interest that some of my friends in real life and Social Media are taking in my life’s story and I am encouraged by their response to carry on the task.

I am therefore redirecting my effort:

GRATITUDE – Letters from a Grandfather to future generations.

Chapter 11

My dear GenNext:

In this chapter I shall speak of a great friendship that I made in the course of my work. And how the Hand of God guided my progress.

During my assignment on Refinery Public Relations, I became very good friends with the well-known Industrial Photographer Mitter Bedi. Mama ji’s family knew the Bedi family well enough.  He turned out to be the Refinery’s official photographer. I learned the basics of photography from him. We became good family friends and he introduced me to the Advertising community. Unfortunately he passed away at a relatively early age. The business still stands in his name.

As the years progressed, the writing on the wall was very grim for the private oil companies. The State owned Indian Oil Corporation was growing at their cost.  Therefore within the Marketing Organization also there was a embargo on further recruitment. The company  launched on a novel internal recruitment drive to fill Supervisory vacancies.  Aptitude and other relevant tests were administered to all those who volunteered.  The qualifying office staff and operatives, were selected as Draftsmen, Depot Supervisors, Aviation Refuelling Supervisors and so on. From the Refinery, among others, Ramu had been selected for Aviation and Santosh Wadhwani for Depot Operations.   I had to bid au revoir to two good friends and colleagues. Not good bye; for Ramu and I remained in touch and I have recently revived contact with Santosh.

In course of time, I also got my own transfer orders.

After conclusion of the Long Term Settlement at the Refinery, I was transferred to HQO aka General Manager’s Office.

Now…..

Boys, girls! Tighten your seat belts.

It was an earth-shaking Day, 11^th Dec 1967. An earthquake of 6.5 magnitude hit the town of Koynanagar and caused much damage to life n property.  Its reverberations were felt in faraway Bombay. And that was the day I reported to GMO for my new assignment.

I was assigned as Position Analyst.  First off I was asked to formulate proposals for negotiations of Long Term Settlement in the GMO. That was familiar territory for me.  The core of my job, however, was to prepare job descriptions and evaluate jobs for classification.  Esso operated merit based system for Management Personnel without guaranteed periodic increases in salaries. I was also to draft salary review recommendations for Management personnel, based on their performance appraisal and Merit salary review policies. It was a valuable addition to my skill n knowledge set.

On the family front, as Mickey was growing up nicely, and years were going by, we started to think in terms of having another child. Our second son, Vicky was born on 12 July 1968.

Soon thereafter, Alwyn D’Souza and I were nominated to attend Compensation Workshop at Bangkok, conducted by the Compensation head in New York Office. It was my first overseas visit and I happily combined it with a visit to Malaysia, where a branch of our family was settled. They were the step-siblings of my Bhayya ji. They were prosperous Landowners and their offspring were Lawyers n Doctors. Two of their sons, got admitted to Khalsa College and got close to us. In later years, I got to know well enough Dr Ranjit Singh, n his wife Saro and we are in touch till this day. After Penang I visited Singapore, from where our family had repatriated to Quetta Baluchistan in the wake of WWII. I could even locate the Showroom of Nahar & Co. at Raffles Square where Papaji had worked. On later visits to Singapore in the 1980’s there was no sign of it and the landscape had completely changed.

Folks, let me retrace our Family’s journey through three quarter of Century n more. It has indeed been a very long journey and our Members have left global footprint:

Sialkot >Lahore>Singapore>Quetta Baluchistan>Peshawar<

Sialkot>Dehra Dun>Poona>Bombay/Assam/Delhi>

Saigon/KL/Dubai/BKK/Jakarta/Toronto/Philly>

Bangalore> Delhi> Bombay. I may have missed a stop or two.

My role in Management Compensation brought me in close contact with Senior Managers in the GMO and I learned the mores of operating at that level. I needed a combination of solid preparation, tact and willingness to learn and change in my future assignments at senior levels.

I shall write more about my work in Esso HQO in the next Chapter.  Meanwhile, please remember my motto:

Live n Learn. Don’t ever stop learning.

Our Gen Next Mickey, Vicky, Anu. Not in Pic Venus Sim n Hark
and a horde of in laws friends nephews n nieces

Our Gen Next Simran n Harkirat in their boyhood days
and a clan of grand/nephews n nieces n young friends in Twitter n FB

Mitter Bedi at our Wedding Reception
RIP my dear friend

with Bedi's n Sharma's 

Compensation workshop - 1968 Bangkok
Alwyn is standing 2nd from L

r-l Dr Ranjit with his cousin Baldev, a lawyer

another cousin Balbir

Penang in the 21st Century

Butterworth-Penang sea link 21st century

GRATITUDE - Chapter 10 Supplement

Balwant Singh ji at Mickey's baraat

Three Jeeja jis at Mickey-Venus' Reception
r-l Balwant Singh, Amrik Singh n Jagjit Singh

GRATITUDE - Tribute to those who helped me in my Career n Life

Chapter 10

JS Cama

SV Dange

GR Raote

Balwant Singh ji Dang

Note: I am writing of the times long gone by. Therefore I am taking the liberty of using ‘Bombay’ to describe my town in the days before its renaming as Mumbai in 1995. I mean no disrespect to my adopted home-town that has given me so much. I shall switch to Mumbai when I come to the relevant time frame.

Note:  I am writing in these Notes the story of my work n family life. Therefore all that is recorded here is my property and may not be quoted, reprinted by any one without my express permission in writing.

In this Chapter I shall cover the period 1962-67. The Chinese attack on  India not only dimmed the popular Republic Day illumination of big buildings in South Bombay but also diminished the aura of Jawaharlal Nehru. Physically n politically he never recovered and breathed his last in 1964. Another Indo Pak war ensued in 1965 in which India got the better of Pakistan and saw the diminutive Lal Bahadur Shastri emerge as India’s most beloved Prime Minister. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.

It was in these years that many big things happened in my Family and Work life. Our first son Mickey was born the year after our marriage. A few months later my grandfather, Bhayya Ji passed away at age 92. And then quite unexpectedly Sukhjit’s father S Pritam Singh ji had a set back in his health and did not recover. He death at an early age was a trauma for all of us.  The siblings all rallied forth and saw the family through some difficult years. Sukhjit joined Guru Nanak School where my Sister Jasbir was teaching and our younger siblings were  schooling  The School was to be an important feature in our family life.

Then our sister Jasbir had got married to  Balwant Singh ji Dang (aka Balma ji).  He was a good natured, family loving man. He was a great conversationalist too. He had a large extended Family of his own.  They came from a different part of Punjab, with an entirely different dialect. He made a mid life career change; did a course in Industrial Relations and spent many years in that profession.  Balwant Singh ji passed away in 2003. They have a son, Harinder aka Mintoo, working in Australia and daughter Harpreet aka Mini.

Our Family shifted to an apartment at Sion and began to enjoy the facilities of living in  town.   Mickey also shifted school.

It was quite satisfying working with the Jaydee and Jehangir S. Cama as Refinery Manager. I got much leeway in my role and thrived in that enabling environment. Whenever the Employee Relations Manager went on leave or outstation, I was appointed to officiate in his place. That gave me good opportunity to bond with his peers, the Heads of other Departments.

In time, Jaydee was also transferred to HO, and replaced by K Krishnamurty, who was Shift Superintendent. KK was a different kind of Manager, but not a stranger to me and so there were no hassles in working with him. He took keen interest and made meticulous notes, since he was new to the function. We shall see more of him later. By now I had many of my friends n benefactors in HQO.

With Madan’s transfer, I had got first hand experience of collective bargaining. I discovered that: the real negotiating is done outside the meeting rooms. My role in employee welfare activities had given me quite a bond with the worker leaders. They trusted me and we had many long meetings one on one informally.  The ‘outside’ leaders guiding the Union were decent upright social workers. There was, however, a splinter group that wanted more aggressive tactics to pressurise the management.

The negotiations had been very protracted.  The Union expected very high wage hike since the Company ‘can afford it”. Management wanted wide total flexibility in utilisation of manpower. It was a hard task to bridge the gap. So much so that adjudication proceedings had to be initiated.

The job flexibility issue was untangled by SV Dange the Mechanical Superintendent. He explained: what we need is a craftsman doing some other work which arises in the course of his own job but belongs to another craft. So that one worker need go to worksite rather than two.

One not-so-fine day, workers of the splinter group stormed the Refinery Manager’s Office and ‘gheraoed’ his office and did not allow him to come out. That was the first ever gherao in the Bombay industrial scene, though it was happening in the Eastern states. The Gherao lasted several hours before the workers dispersed unconditionally. The Management charge sheeted n dismissed the ring leader of the Gherao. Mr. GR Raote, Process Superintendent, the Equiry Officer was the ultimate in patience, good tactics and perspicacity.  He did such a thorough job that several legal attempts to upturn worker’s dismissal were in vain. Many years later, the  worker’s lawyer said: you did not leave us a toe-hold.

Despite the Gherao n adjudication I continued informal discussions with the union leaders. In these parleys, a worker leader gave me a cue: we need the top gainer to get a raise of certain amount. This cue and the flexibility shown by Management enabled fruitful negotiations. We could thus arrive at an important Long Term Settlement.

At that time little did I know that handling of this episode of the Gherao n the ensuing enquiry will establish me as a tough industrial relations Manager and ease my selection in two subsequent and crucial job changes. The Long Term Settlement signed in 1967 brought me to the notice of the HQO Employee Relations Team of Nalin Thakor and Ronnie Saldanha who got me transferred to HQO soon thereafter.  My benefactors, Madan n Jaydee,  must have have had a hand in this. Thank You.

That is another story and subject of the next chapter

I am grateful to the Union n Management leaders of the Refinery,  for giving me a few Keys which opened the gates of my future growth and progress in the Management Profession.

Harmohan n Narjit my Cousins
re Previous Chapter

Late S Pritam Singh

His sons l-r Gurbir Harjit Mohan

Balwant Singh ji with Jasbir n Mini

Mintoo their son

Dr. Jehangir S. Cama Refinery Manager

 

G.R. Raote Process Supdt

K.Krishnamurthy then ER Mgr

SV Dange Mech Supdt

Chapter 9

Jaydee Parekh

Madan Kamra

JS Cama

Our Families had agreed on a longish engagement and finally the marriage was set for 14 May 1961.  Papa ji and my friends Ramu n Mohan Paralkar left a few days earlier. The rest of the family boarded the Pathankot Express for the 50+ hours  journey to Gurdaspur. Papa ji gathered his relatives in Delhi and boarded the same train with us.

It was a leisurely affair. We had been put up in a local sarai not too far from the bride’s home in Chowk Rang Mahal. We had a whole next day to ourselves before the Reception of Barat the night before the wedding. My friends and I ventured out into the countryside and landed on the banks of the Canal. The Bombayites ordered a tall glass of Lassi from the resident Halvai. He duly served it up heavy and ice cold; thanks to the Canal’s ice cold water, which the Pump must have drawn. We were hard put to finish our glasses.

In the evening the Barat landed at the Bride’s house, what with Sehra, Ghori, Band, Baja et al. It was at their door step that my father in law to be whispered the good news into my ear that: he had got the result and I had passed MA Part II. Lavish dinner was set up in their courtyard. Next day Anand Karaj was held in their courtyard. A big lunch was set in the courtyard of the neighbour’s house.

Sukhjit and I went off to our first ‘honeymoon’ at Dalhousie. I say first, because we have made the journey to Dalhousie several times in subsequent years and even stayed in Mount View Hotel. After a brief stopover back in Gurdaspur, then Ludhiana where my Mama’s family lived, we landed in Karnal for the wedding of my first cousin Harmohan. We could not accompany the Barat for I was due to return to work shortly. The rest of the family proceeded with the wedding.  Sukhjit and I accompanied by our sister Jasbir landed back in Bombay and started our domestic life.

Harmohan had married Narjeet of Barnala where they he has now settled after retirement. They have daughters Veena n Neena and son Vicky. All of them are blessed with happy families of their own.  

After the family arrived back in Bombay, a reception for a few close relatives and friends was arranged in a Hall in Matunga just behind Mama ji’s residence.  By then Mama ji had passed away.  His family was there in full strength. His daughter, who was our contemporary but a Bhua in relationship had got married recently.

In the years that followed, our first son Mickey was born. Then my grandfather, Bhayya Ji passed away at age 92 or thereabouts. He was in good health, till he met with an accident and did not recover.

In those years too, I was promoted to Housing n Welfare Officer, a job held by Nana Chudasama, Prabh Singh Minhas and Alwyn D’souza. Alwyn was transferred to HQO n I inherited this portfolio. I had charge of the Canteen n Cafeteria and the two Housing Colonies.  I also headed the Cooperative Credit Society and established a Cooperative Consumer Society with a grocery store in the larger Housing Colony Esso Nagar West. The Company built a large Recreation Center at the same colony and we played badminton in the Hall and showed Indian Movies each week.

This job brought me very close to the work force and their leaders. This was hands-on training in human relations at the very front. Some of the activity was off hours but I don’t recall Sukhjit ever complaining about it. Some of the active workers would drop by at our home and were happily entertained. All along my Shivaji park friends were treated to Bibi ji’s and, after our marriage, to Sukhjit’s generous hospitality.  In recent years, when my friends were entertained at home, they said that nothing had changed.

 Somewhere around 1964, Madan Kamra was also transferred to the Head Quarters and I was promoted Employee Relations Assistant. I was then responsible for what little Recruitment took place in those days and more importantly relations with the Trade Union and collective bargaining.

Madan inducted me to the intricacies of labour negotiations. I got into detailed arithmetic of the Union demands and Management proposals. Those were the days when one did such detailed work by pencil n ruled column sheets with the help of huge machines, which served as Calculators. We roped in Comptometer operators to check out our calculations. I, who had very poor school record in Mathematics and Arithmetic became quite at home with Numbers. In later years, in Board Rooms, I would have the approximate numbers much faster that the Engineers with their slide rules or accountants with their pocket calculators. 

By this time, Jehangir S Cama was elevated as the first Indian Refinery Manager. I had got good exposure to him at several fora. Also I seem to have impressed him with my conceptualising and drafting skills. By then Indian Express had published two of my Center Page pieces and paid me Rs. Ten each. Also I had got a few things published in the ESSO India Magazine, published by HQO. John Cama (as he was popularly called) used my services extensively in the furious correspondence that ensured between him and the New York Head Office following a devastating fire in the Refinery in which several of our colleagues were burnt to death. Following that he let me start a Refinery Manager’s News Letter which I composed n published. I am sure Jaydee n Madan had his full backing in advancing my career. And I am grateful to them for my steady progress laying the foundation of my career.

Those were days of learning and building a career and a family side by side.

More of this in the next Chapter. 

Sehra Bandi with Ramdas Iyer

Anand Karaj

Sukhjit's Extended Family 

Our Family n neighbours

Harmohan and Bhabi ji at the marriage of Veena's daughter

GRATITUDE: Tribute to those who helped me in my Career and Life - STOP PRESS

Supplement to Chapter 7


NARAIN MAKHIJA: In Memoriam

I am very sorry to record that my very good friend of sixty years, Narain Makhija passed away on 13 February 2015.... just a few days before I mentioned our mutual friendship of 60 years in my blog of 18 February. I was abroad and did not receive the message sent by his son Lalit. (in the process I learnt the lesson: Keep your Whatsapp linked to your local cell phone number. The app permits that. Thanks Birender for advising me to change to Indian Cell and I found the message waiting for me. Another motto of mine: Live and Learn. )

Narain was 91 years and passed away 'peacefully". Lalit says that, towards the end,  his father would say: beta, I am tired; I want to go.

Narain was a staunch family man and honest as a rock. He was simple and hardworking. He would not brook fools nor make compromises in life, at least none that I know of.

He left behind son Lalit, a banker, grandson Herschel and daughter Kiran an Accupressure Practitioner. He has a younger brother Arjun. His mother passed away long ago and his wife a few years ago.

Rest in Peace my good friend. We had a ball in our times together.


In the b&w pic below to my left: Narain, his wife with son Lalit in arms at our wedding reception.
In the most recent color pic below: Narain with son Lalit and grandson Herschel an aviator.