Gratitude

My face lit up, breaking into a broad smile.

Reconnecting my phone after a much-needed, internet-free holiday with my partner, I expected a deluge of work messages. What I didn't expect was the flood of congratulations. As I scrolled and read, the reason became clear: at his recent retirement farewell, a former colleague, Nagaraj, had publicly credited me with saving his life from depression and self-harm.

The memory jogged back immediately. Years ago, I was heading a different office when Nagaraj arrived, new and completely unreliable. Work was shoddy and absences were frequent. Instead of initiating disciplinary action, I asked to meet him. Nagaraj and his wife came in and revealed his severe depression, triggered by long periods of separation due to distant postings. I immediately promised them my full support, guaranteeing flexible leave and a transfer to a role where Nagaraj had once excelled, as indicated by his former colleagues. I saw to it that he had an empathetic manager, and I made a point of checking in on him myself occasionally, just to reassure him that he was safe in the office. Over time, Nagaraj’s attendance and quality of work visibly improved.

The case had faded into the background over the years and a few transfer, only briefly recalled when Nagaraj was one of three retiring officers who invited me to a joint farewell lunch just before my own beach vacation. Now, the overwhelming impact hit me.

Nagaraj’s wife had also reached out: "Grateful for the faith you reposed in him. He’s almost as good as he used to be.” 

I knew the power of that support. I had faced my own dark moments during unceremonious transfers, and I’d found solace and strength in the help of colleagues and strangers. I closed my phone. "What goes around comes around," I uttered aloud. My partner, who was observing me without a word, gave me a hug and said, “just like us”.

Back Home!

Okay! I already have posted one of my Office experiences after reaching Bangalore. However I have quite a few things to write on my last days in Bhutan and my arrival in Bangalore. I'm going backwards in recording them on my blog. May be just snippets.

I landed on Sunday, 16th September in Bangalore. JS had promised that he'd be coming to pick me up to the airport. I didn't find him. I found someone with a placard though - Anand, an office staffer. He took me to the guest house (an Army place, no AC in the suite). JS had not yet come back from Delhi. "I will be back on Tuesday Sudhir" he said when I called him.

I reported at work on 17th. Found the Office slightly intimidating as I went round meeting all the people who'd be working with me. Over 300 of them, including over 30 Officers. I've never worked with such a large office (I've worked in larger organisations but I had only a handful of people working under me). "I won't be able to manage these people. Who wants to head an office? Why did I EVER ask for Bangalore" were the thoughts for the next couple of days.

I'm relatively more at ease now. Yet to get a house. Shuttling largely from Kolar (to keep mom happy) and staying back at JS's place on some days. Still struggling with the levels of pollution (noise, dust et al), traffic and other factors of city life. There's a huge drama unfolding regarding the house I'm supposed to get. I don't want to take part in it though. My office is considered one of the best in its sphere of work. But I do see a lot of scope for improvement. The best part of being here is I have JS for company (right next door, he sits as the second-in-command at another office) AND I'm occupied. Even before I realise it's 6 in the evening.

The Office boasts of many relatives of stalwarts of Karnataka, including the daughter of KS Narasimha Swamy, the famed author of 'Mysore Mallige' and another, a relative of Shivamogga Subbanna, the first Kannada playback singer to win National Award. Culture curry?

Serendipity

My cell phone rang as JS and I almost reached the office. "Sir, Murthy here. We have this farewell function.." he trailed off. "I remember Mr. Murthy. I'm almost near the office. I'll be there in the next 10-15 minutes". Farewells at a large office like mine are frequent. Apart from a tea party attended by all the office-members, there'd be a tete-a-tete too with the outgoing staffer with the head of the office. "So she's Manjula right?" I asked Murthy as I eased into my chair, back at the office. "No Sir, she's Mary Mangala". "Oh I'm sorry". I am just 15 days old at this office and it's difficult to remember names, among other things. "We'll usher her in at 4PM Sir". "Fine with me". Soon Murthy placed a profile of Mangala on my table, to help me make a conversation. "She'd sufered some serious health problems sir. That's why she's going out on voluntary retirement" he added for my benefit.

The clock struck 4 and there was a knock on the door. The Accounts Officer ushered Ms Mary Mangala in. Soon the pleasantries were over. "Coffee or tea?" I asked the lady. "Tea Sir". I glanced at Mary Mangala's profile. Her qualification read, 'MSc Botany, Bangalore University, 1980'. I knew I had something to talk. "Ma'm it's nice to learn you've done MSc. Which college did you pass out from?" "Central College Sir". "Did you by any chance have a classmate named Saraswathi? My aunt - Saraswathi - too did her MSc Botany from Central College". "Sir, did she do research after her MSc?" "No". "Then I don't know Sir". I have to find a new thread to talk about, i thought. Suddenly through the conversation Mary Mangala jumped up and asked, 'Sir, had she done BEd before joining MSc?" "Yes that's right". "Is she...?" a few more questions about my aunt's looks etc came tumbling out, all answered in affirmative. "I know her Sir."

I picked up the phone, called my aunt and asked her, "Aunt, do you remember a classmate of yours from MSc..?" I could hear the chuckle before my aunt's response. "Yes, and we used to quarrel quite a lot". And, the two friends were talking to each other after 27 years. I was glad I'd brought an unexpected smile on to someone's face. Sure it's a small world.