Help Honest Fighters when Alive

We have a lot of honest people around fighting for justice not just to themselves but for their teams, organizations, country or even universe. They, most of the times fight alone. They find lot of admirers and supporters only when these honest people succumb to the strong and ruthless forces against the fight they do.We see lot of the people protesting in many forms, filling the blogs over web, lighting candles, marching on the road, refusing to pay tax till the justice and what not. Where are these people when there are many lone fighters for justice, living around them? There were painful experiences when dominant participants of all web forums need to understand

"Khaderao. The issue is not getting settled" Indra Sekhar came to me with lot of stress on his face.He came to my work place when I was just settling down after returning from a huge candle light protest made by my team against the unfortunate death of an honest Doctor. He was servicing the local poor people, free of cost and other corporate Doctors (allegedly) appointed some one to kill him. I was told by someone that he had been getting death threats in the last few weeks. My team was quoting it (Our Candle protest) as a huge success.

Before I asked Indra, he said "These guys came and again threatened me when I was alone having lunch in my Dog's House.".

Indra is a contractor who came all the way from AndhraPradesh to do one important commissioning piece of work for my Unit. My plant is under recommissioning and to accelerate the progress and to utilize the expertise in some areas we went for strategic outsourcing. My plant is in a state which is ruled by Communist Government. Most of the workers and executives belong to the ruling party. There are some local players with lot of muscle power who keep interfering and influencing our activities. The Plant management tried to pacify by offering jobs to locals and other facilities. But external contractors like Indra still face challenges.

When Indra came along with his team of engineers, Supervisors and Technicians to complete his engagements, he met the local dons on day one. Minu Bhai came and met Indra

"Nomaste Indra daa (Hello brother Indra), how are you? are you doing the Commissioning job 251 for our plant?"

"Yes Sir" Indra offered him to sit.

"No issue, my guys will come and do the job. Payment will be as per the rate card here" Minu offered the card.

Perplexed Indra told "Minu bhai, I am a small vendor and brought my team from Andhra. For this time, forgive me, my team will complete this job"

Minu laughed and said, "very good, thats much better. This means, my guys will get the money for free. Keep this rate card and pay every week."

Indra is completely confuzed and said "How can it be Minu? I need to pay my team also"

"thats your problem Indra daa, and I hope you will manage" Minu left that day.

Since than Indra was facing the challenge of convincing Minu. His leadership asked him to address the local issues without troubling them.

First time when Indra discussed about this, we both went to the Police Station and made a formal complaint. I met the IP Vashist as well to put more emphasis to the issue.

"Mr. Khaderao, these guys are poitically strong and I suggest you make some agreement with them."

I was furious and told "Mr. Vashist, this is not correct. Law & Order must take the control in this kind of situations. His men are coming to Indra's site everyday and making threats"

Looking at my anger, Vashist said, "Please you both carry on and I will follow you to handle them."

He didnt visit the site on that day at all.

The other time, I met my manager Dharmender and explained the issue.

Dharmender said "You dont understand the local scenarios. Please dont get there. After all Indra is a vendor. It is his problem to address. And these vendors keep facing these issues and let them manage"

"Dear Dharmender, the issue is not whether the problem is faced by Indra or someone, tomorrow Minu may ask us to hire some. We first need to get orders to ensure Minu and his men will never enter our site ......"

"Mr. Khaderao, I instruct you to focus on your deliverables. Please never come to me any more to discuss this topic"

I was upset but left the room. On the way, Varun Gujraati met me and asked what is the issue. Varun is Advisor of Dharmender.

I explained him.

"Varun, my Vendor is in trouble. His problem is genuine and needs support. On top of it, if he is not able to do my work my deliverable will also be impacted. I can penalize him for delay but that doesn't solve my delay"

When I explained, Varun told "Why dont you meet the General Manager? He can address the issue"

"Are you sure it will solve the issue? On other hand, what if Dharmender comes to know about this? He clearly asked me not to bother about Indra"

"Absolutely no issue. Simply speak to him. GM is very bold and will resolve. He will not discuss with Dharmendra once he is convinced"

I made a request for GM's appointment and went home. By the time I reached home, my wife came to me running and asked "Are you OK?"

"Why are you asking this?"

"today when I went to the market 6 people came and asked about your whereabouts. they checked when you will be back from office"

I was shocked and asked "Did they do anything offensive with you?"

"No. But they kept asking about you as if they have a plan"

This means, the guys got to know that me and Indra approached Police Station. I was really scared. About me and more than that about my family. How do I ensure my family will be safe?

I am in a township along with families of my colleagues. In the night I called most of them and explained the situation. When i was seeking support they are all silent.

"Boss, why did you get to all this mess? Now you created a situation where our families will be in trouble" Mohanty said.

"You wanted to be a Robinhood? Do whatever in another place. Dont try your heroics here" Muralidhar said.

"Seems you are concerned because Indra is from your state. Will you go to this extent for others? Please note that you are in Bengal, and try to live accordingly"

I was shocked, demoralized and disappointed about these responses.

Next day, when I went to the office, Dharmendra called me. On his table, my request for appointment with GM was lying.

"Mr. Khaderao, How can you bypass me and approach GM ? do you think I will not know this?I want you to look at other options. You can no longer work with me."

Dharmendra told clearly.

I just could not say anything for some time and then opened my mouth.

"Dear Dharmendra, I agree I bypassed you. But please note. I was not doing this for my promotion or other rewards. It is for helping a helpless person who was getting tortured for no mistake of his. I will quit any way"

I left the room.

I had a O&M Group meeting and before I was entering I was hearing the loud voice Ravi Parameswar.

"Never allow Khaderao to take up this portion of meeting. I can just not allow this"

"He is the Director and agreed in the last meeting that he would cover Risk Management ...." Another board member was trying to say.

Ravi shouted so loudly that Dharmendar will hear his emotional stand and understand his loyalty "No. Let him not be part of our meetings"

When I entered everyone was silent.

"I am still the Group member but dont want to waste my time here. Please carry one. I however have one task to complete." Saying this I left the room. I saw Varun running and reaching me in hurry. Is he the only person who is trying to support me?

"Khaderao, it is quite unfortunate...." Varun was breathing heavily as he ran that distance to speak to me.

"But now something unexpected happened. Please dont discuss with any one about what I advised you about going to GM"

Well! Thats a cause of worry. I smiled without expression. "It's OK Varun. I believe that I am responsible for anything bad that happened. No point of pointing fingers to others. As I said, I have on action item before leaving. Let me finish that"

I went to the GM office and sat in the visitor's place.

GM's PA came to me and asked whether I have any appointment.

"I dont have but need to talk to him today by all means"

"entire day is booked sir"

"Thats fine but I will wait. I just need 10 minutes"

Looking at my face, the PA didnt say anything. People kept meeting the GM. I didnt leave even for lunch. After a few hours the PA came to me 'There is one meeting delayed by 15 minutes. You can go inside and speak just for 10 minutes"

"Thanks a lot. I am really grateful to you" I quickly went inside.

It was a long table and GM was sitting on the other side. It was quite scary as I never met the GM. He is a Sardarjee and known for his boldness.

"Bolo Yaar Kya baat hai (tell me friend what is the matter)?" GM asked with heavy voice.

I quickly explained the matter.

"The Vendor works with small margins. He came from a long distance for his feeding him and his staff. He cant afford to pay hefty sum to local goons. And in principle this is not correct"

"What is your interest here?"

"Sir. My interest is justice. And my vendor's failure will be my failure"

GM said nothing. He pressed the bell and called his PA. He dictated a letter to be faced to the Chief Minister.

Some portion is clear and some not but I understood the gist "My leaders from other states are working here and contributing major share of Power to the state. If your party is creating such problems, we may have to shut the plant......"

What happened later was a great story to be heard by many generations.

• A lightening call to the IP Vashist from Chief Minister's office.
• Movement of all goons to Police Custody
• The goons paying respect to Indra and such vendors even after they were released from Jail

There are still some heroes like my GM.

But more often we see Ravi Someswars, Mohanties, Muralis and Varuns who are more harmful to the society than Minus and Dharmenders who survive because of this kind of cowards. All these weaklings however have time to light candles, pay homages, delivery emotional lectures when people like Indra (if) die.

I will be very happy if these guys surrounding the lone fighters, help the fighters when they are alive.

You may find other posts of Author here

Disclaimer: I have been writing the blogs in the style of story telling based on real incidents but with some fiction added to emphasize the message. Hence I request not to make any conclusions to derive facts based on the posts in these articles

Learning at Work- Part1: Participation led Management (Continued)

My relations with some colleagues like Supervisor Jha and Operators like Burman improved. It was a good progress as I started finding a few areas that were going smooth. But the issues with others continued. And with the team of about 15 Supervisors and 90 Technicians, I needed more effort to get the acceptance from majority of team.

Biggest disappointment and frustration was because some of the technicians are quite rude for no reason. I checked many times if my communication was sounding offensive but that cant be the case when there are a few people who were accepting me.

Most notorious among them, Jana made me change that was need of the hour.

When coke is burnt to generate steam, due to the poor quality of coal, unburnt portion forms in to hard mass called clinkers. These large items keep falling down and there is a passage with high pressure water to move the clinkers out on regular basis. Many times, the clinkers accumulate at a rate faster than the flow of clinkers to the distant pit. In such cases another booster pump is run to extract the clinkers fast.

One day, in such situation, I called the Operators room and asked the Operator to run the booster pump for an hour. Jana, the notorious among many, replied as usual "It cant happen"

Hearing this many times, I really got furious. Still trying to control I asked him "Why Jana jee?"

"You go down and check yourself"

I really got annoyed and thought this is time that I need to react. I kept the phone down and went to the Operator's room.

as usual there was a large group sitting and enjoying junk talks.

I asked "who is Jana here?"

I was not sure how I sounded but I saw Jana standing and replying "I am Jana. what do you want?"

"I asked you to run the Booster Pump. Why cant you do that?"

"It cant be done now"

"why?????"

Jana was scared a bit, moved a step back and said "Workers are yet to come to start the pump. We have to wait ...."

"What is your problem to tell the same when I called you over phone?"

"......"

"What is your issue to start the pump by yourself if workers didnt come? Have you seen the Clinker level? If you dont know tell me, I know how to do and will teach you"

None of the others spoke anything in support of Jana.

After a pause, I said "Let us go and start the Pump"

Jana followed me silently.

Pump was started and I checked a few parameters and waited for an hour to stop the Pump when the Clinker level dropped.

I went back along with Jana and told the team "I dont care how we work and how much knowledge we have. But the communications need to be smooth. No rude communication can be accepted"

Debashish opened his mouth and told me "Khaderao daa, do you know I am the union leader here? ....."

"Yes I know, as a Union leader you are supposed to ensure the decorum of your team. That is when "we" can fight for our rights and privileges"

I returned to my work place. The responses started improving but I know there will be a few who would be targeting me for mistakes.

A couple of days later I again went to the room in night shift. I found majority people sleeping while 3,4 guys playing a Dot Game.

I switched all the lights on and said 'Please dont sleep in the nights"

One of them looked at me seriously and asked "tell me if there is some work. we will do"

"The issue is I cant risk asking sleepy guys to work and end up in to accidents. I am concerned about the safety of you all."

'Thanks Khaderao daa. But what do we do when there is no work?"

Good point.

"Let us play the Dots game. I also love it"

Two of them lifted their heads and looked at me with surprise.

"Yes, I like Dots game. tomorrow I will bring Chess and Cards as well" I laughed.

Debashish asked me 'Yesterday you were talking about decorum. Will playing in work hours ok?"

"Debashish daa" (everyone noticed that I was addressing them as Daa (brother in Bengali))

"I still believe decorum is required. Sleeping in night shift is harmful more than the decorum. Let us have fun at work which can be OK as long as Work is not impacted"

I know the point is debatable but it didnt matter when the guys joined me playing dots.

I brought Chess and Cards the next day and asked Debashish to be custodian for these items.

I applied for additional expenses to bring a few more items like Carrom board.

(To Continue)

You may find other posts of Author here

Disclaimer: I have been writing the blogs in the style of story telling based on real incidents but with some fiction added to emphasize the message. Hence I request not to make any conclusions to derive facts based on the posts in these articles

Beginning of never ending Learning- My First Year of Work - Part 1

 

I was desperate to get a job after my father expired just 16 days before my exams. I started applying for jobs but in the mean time joined Post Graduation in IIT Kharagpur. Out of many applications I made earlier, when NTPC offered me the employment as part of their 250 engineering trainee recruitment, even-though I was in the middle of the thesis work, all my well wishers advised me to work. It was tough but clear decision when I ultimately joined NTPC after taking special permission to complete the Thesis work later.

I was deployed in Operations & Maintenance group in Farakka Super thermal Plant as Unit controller.

At the end of every shift, the Unit Controller calls each location to find some critical parameters like Centrifugal pump level, Boiler water level, HP Heater Outlet temperature etc. The plant is several acres wide and many interactions with the Supervisors and Operators happen over phone. One day Unit Controller asked me to get the status from the operators.

When I called the room I introduced myself and asked for the details. Mr NK Jha told me "I never know you so far, how can I give you these details? Please give the phone to the unit controller".

"I am a newly joined Engineer Jha jee. Please help me with the Status. The Unit controller asked me to help him"

"I am sorry, without knowing you, status will not be given" Mr. Jha disconnected the phone.

When I informed the same thing to my manager, he picked up the phone and collected the Status.

This incident made me a bit demoralized as my manager also didnt bother about positioning me properly. Similar incidents continued a number of times. Whenever I tried to get any updates, the responses remained same even after a couple of weeks. Being this a new job, and this being a routine task of my duty, the failure to get responses created many sleepless nights for me.

One day I decided to go down to the place where the Technicians and Supervisors sit. It was very scary when I went into the room. As many as 12 members were in the room chatting over some petty topics, laughing loudly and enjoying the discussions. I went to the table and wished all of them stating that I am a new joiner. Mr Jha was there and immediately understood who am I.

He received me and introduced to the technicians. Each person responded differently but common fact is that none of them showed any respect. One person folded hands with a wry smile on the face, another one laughing without reason while I wished him, one more loosely waiving the hand while I expected a hand shake. That created more awkward feeling but Mr. Jha took me to his work place and explained.

' Khaderao ji, we also work and we expect some respect. Someone who was unknown to me cant call and ask for updates. I am 20 years experienced here and all my colleagues are also more than 10-20 years experienced. They deserved some respect.'

I was surprised and explained him that there was no intention to disrespect. with that I thought the matter ends with a positive conclusion. But the resistance and refusal to respond continued. Me being new, it was quite difficult as I was unable to contribute at all. In addition the responses were quite rude.

One day I had to call one operator urgently as one specific Volve needed to be opened to allow additional flow of Oil. I called and asked the operator to do this urgently. 'It will not happen' Jana told me.

"Why Jana jee (respected Jana) ?"

"You come down and find out".

With that response I was scared and kept the phone down. I didnt know what to do. I went to the site and found another operator Mistri. I met him and requested him to open the Valve. He made a sinister smile and asked me to show where is the valve. If I showed him, he would do. It was quite insulting to me, but I actually dont know where was the valve. I told him the same but emphasized that opening that valve right now is very important.

He replied 'You Engineers know nothing and ask us to work. We are the people who are working with no recognition'.

"Mistriji (Respected Mistri) it is still your work right? We need to do this?"

"I am asking you to show the valve, I will open it"

I knew he is aware where is the valve but he would not do it. When I looked at the pipe lines there are several valves and I am not sure which valve is the one I needed to operate. I went back and clearly heard giggling of Mistri.

That day I took the entire schematic diagram and made my notes and pictures. I continued for the next shift and went to the site with the pictures I have. I started identifying each pipeline and marking with Chalk piece. Every valve I kept a tag with the Valve numbers. It took a few hours for me to complete the work. I was able to do this for Oil lines. I found a small Valve which has to be opened for my purpose. I opened it for an hour till I needed the required temperature at the outlet. Once I met my reading, I closed the valve and went back. I checked the parameters in the control room as well to ensure I did right.

I didnt stop there and continued to do the similar study for other lines of Boiler. By the time I completed it was time for the next shift. I was going in the bus back to my workplace. suddenly I felt dizzy and by the time I tried to realize, I lost my senses. after probably an hour, I wokeup but didnt open the eyes. I was hearing two people talking.

"I am putting these sand witches in the Hot pack near his bed. Prepare good tea my dear friend! You will keep this in the Flask beside the hot pack"

"His temperature is normal Jha jee, I think it is fatigue ..." I think it was Burman's voice.

I closed my eyes.

(To Continue)

You may find other posts of Author here

Disclaimer: I have been writing the blogs in the style of story telling based on real incidents but with some fiction added to emphasize the message. Hence I request not to make any conclusions to derive facts based on the posts in these articles

May all people be well (సర్వే జనః సుఖినో భవంతు)

24th June is my father's birthday. Recently there was something called father's day. Many of us remember and thank our parents on these days. I don't want to sound cynical, but I feel there is no day when we can forget the parents. And every moment we need to thank them. This soul and body were given by them, nurtured and molded by them. There is nothing which I can claim as mine and perhaps I don't exist without them and what is believed as "I" is also a form of my parents. 

My personality is 80% determined from the moment I was in the womb of my mother. There is little that can be changed significantly. The 20% that I can change is also dependent on the characteristics I acquired at the time of birth and based on that I can absorb what suits to me to change a little.  For example, what attracts me on the road while walking with my friends may not be the same as what each of my friends like. 

People talk about dynasty and ancestral property.They mean houses, lands and assets inherited from the family. But I got the kind of assets that are immortal. My father's wisdom and my mother's unconditional love  & affection extended to anyone and everyone;  are the assets I have today. From the point my father left me physically, I was experiencing him more. He was literally with me watching me, helping me, motivating me. In fact our interactions were quite minimum when he was with me. But all his good contributions to people with no expectations  were always behind me and shielded me. I got my first job, got the Support to execute Surety of 20000 Rs/- in 1989,  got Support when I was alone, always supported when I needed a break and what not. They were all very well addressed in timely manner,  when I came across some people who are also good and remembered the good deeds of my father. They never felt like repaying me, because they still had the gratitude towards my father. If I really look my life  so far,  I am not sure if I have earned even one such well-wisher.

Today I wanted to share a few things that I learnt from my father. My father wrote a story "జీవితం రెండర్థాల పాట" (The life is full of dual)  and he explained the gist of it in many discussions. He used to tell that the entire universe is balanced by the God and we never know what is the algorithm the god follows. I was too young and it was quite puzzling to me. I used to see one guy coming to our house every week, staying for entire day, completing Breakfast, lunch and dinner. He owed good amount of money to my father and would never return. In addition, he used to take the valuable time of father every week and he also used to cry with lot of grievances about everyone he met. I asked my father on how this account will be settled. He laughed and told the same thing - "జీవితం రెండర్థాల పాట". The god will balance everything and we need not get the account settled from the same person who borrows some thing from us. In the rest of my life I experienced the dual of life,  many times. There were many people who helped me without me being good to them. There were many others who tried to harm me irrespective of taking lot of help from me. If I look back, I feel everything is balanced. I also realized that the people who seemingly tried to hurt me, unknowingly did the biggest favors to me. For some of the readers what I say may still look ridiculous and funny but one needs to experience on own, to understand and appreciate.

My father and my elder brother also used to tell me that whatever I meticulously plan and expect the results were all materialistic (వ్యావహారికం). At the end what is destined will happen and the God is the only one whom we need to rely on. My brother told a simple truth that trust the god and do well. The results are on their way. If our fate is decided or changed it is the God who can do it. 

The best lesson I learnt from my father was about NOT earning more than what we need. He was a communist and shifted to practicing Maharshi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation. But he still practiced some good preaching of Karl Marx. The principle of socialism is that no one should earn more than what is needed and it is a sin if you do. And the reasons for all the extreme economies, unrest and crime are because of the imbalance of economy. Our ancestors told “సర్వే జనః సుఖినో భవంతు " (May all people be well)  before Karl Marx and whosoever talked about the above principle. My mother always ensured that my maids, milk man, laundry man, sweepers and all others (who serve us one way or other way), are all well treated. On a festival my maids get clothes and all special food items that we made on that day. Every year, my mother buys saris (Sari is an Indian outfit) and shirts for the maids. Whenever we are eating, she offered food to whoever visited at that time. People say this is all hospitality.  It may be true as well. But the real intent is that everyone must be happy and you alone cant think about being happy and enjoy every piece. In other words in this God gifted world, everyone has to have their share and have right to enjoy the God's offerings.

In support of my mother's philosophy, my father gave the examples. In a house where we stay we have rats, cats, ants, a dog and it's puppies, some caterpillars and many more. While we have a registered document for ownership of the property, all these creatures also believe the property belongs to them. And they too get kids, relatives, visitors, family life and deaths. When he gave this insight my mindset changed a lot. I never killed any creatures in my (???) house. Instead I tried to move them to a place where they are safe. I am glad more than me, my kid is quite concerned. He would not allow me to do any harm to any creature and instead he fights for their rights.  My daughter fought with me to bring up a Dog. When I said the dog is not disciplined and may spoil our rooms and other places, she said we will train her. On top of it, she questioned about how me and my wife trained her, when she too didnt know anything at the time of birth. I had to agree and after changing to this mindset, the kind of peace I had, can not be expressed in words. If I see the dog spoils my portico, I dont mind. When my kid was doing this, and when I can tolerate this, why cant I do the same for my (now it is my) dog? The life is much bigger than money, career and ego. It is all about feelings and emotions. If we have good emotions it keeps us peaceful. And when every one can be happy, the world is happy. No crime, no terrorists, no anti-socials and there is only happiness.

What a great lesson taught and practiced by my parents (and my kids)?