Lecture of life..

As narrated.

“I joined my first job as JE (Junior Engineer) in Military Engineering Services (MES). I used to walk 3 kms to board the bus for office 30 kms away. It was the toughest phase of my life, yet I continued it for a while without regretting much. To reach Delhi cantonment 6 'o clock in chilled January mornings was an arduous task yet I let pass those silent cries unheard. It gave the toughest nut to crack and I tried my best not to give up ever. After six months, my steely determination doped out like the water running in a fast moving river. I quit my first love, my first job.

I joined PGCIL (Power Grid Corporation of INDIA) as JE again. My boss, trying to be smart with his queries asked me," Where you see yourself after 5 years or so?” Being a fresh graduate, I have the same aspirations as any other person of my age. I quickly rolled out the words," I would like to be a GM (General Manager) in next 5 years”. That amicable boss, he himself was the General Manager at that time. He was not so much convinced with my outspoken skills. I consoled my heart over the not-so-impressive first meet. In a month or so, I had got to know the real persona of GM. He was always late for his work, trying to pass on his work to his juniors. But I was on the other hand, had learnt those tough lessons of discipline at MES, was never late. Neither in reaching office, nor in completing my work. I guess my boss was unaware of my efficient work. He was always trying to put all his work upon me. It might be reading new documents or to gather information about some new project. He never bothered to even give a look to my project reports. I used to wonder who made him the GM of PGCIL.

Once he asked me to plan the next five year schedule for the purchase of Electricity from government. I was gripped with nervousness and panic. I had never presented any seminar even at my school level and now he was expecting me to present the next five year plan to the Indian Central Government. Somehow I gathered the courage, clubbed all the information sources. With the help of my colleagues I made it a day before the actual seminar. GM had to present it before government officials, so I handed it over to him a day before seminar. Next morning, he asked me to come over his home to give him the brief idea about the contents as he could not manage to go through the seminar report. Yes, it was very much expected from him. I went to his house next morning; he was getting ready for the top meeting. He told me to wait so that we could discuss it while going in the car. All through the journey he was busy on his phone with the chief secretary of PM. After reaching the premises of office, he told me to wait in the meeting hall so that he would ask me when introductory lecture would be going on. All I could mutter at these repulsive moments was," Sure sir ".

Here came the delegation team and I could see my GM escorting them to their seats. Went passed the introductory lecture, GM was still busy in his enchanting talks with delegation team. Soon his name was spoken out loud to send shivers down my spine. Haplessly, I glanced over him. He was still bemused in his talks. He pointed his finger first towards me and then towards that big stage. Was he trying to persuade me to give this seminar? Yes, these were his intentions. With my tumbling legs, I went to the stage. Narrated the five year execution plan in a stammering manner, the hall was taken over with thunderous applause. I was overwhelmed to speak my emotions at that instant. I came back to my seat. To my surprise, GM was sitting besides me shaping a generous smile. “I appoint you as the General Manager of Power Grid Corporation of India.”

And the rest remained the most beautiful moments of my life.... "