Dignity of labour - better explained

I was planning to write this one for long, but its finally now that I actually do.

I had known Sharma uncle only as Arun's father and Arun and me weren't best buddies, so naturally the interaction was limited to some general talk. It was only when Arun moved to Canada and asked me to run a few errands for his parents that I got to know this lovely personality. He doesn't read blogs, else would have whacked me for this one.

Sharma uncle was a Delhi based businessman and quite a amiable one too . I had helped him in a few market research presentations and thats how I got to know him better. He is horrible with the computer and he is what you would call a call center's 'NIGHTMARE'. I still remember his discussions with a poor call center executive over his newly bought and not working printer. He was fuming over the horrible 'piece of junk' the reputed company had dared to sell him for such a steep price. It hadn't been working and he was all set to sue them. I just happened to be there when his temper had reached a crescendo and he was all set to knock the poor call center executive's head through the phone. I happened to read the manual and realized that there was actually a switch that had to be turned on. When I did it for him he thought i was a genius and thats how it has always stayed. Naah!!! I didn't take efforts to change that either :D. And yes, he also apologised to the poor exceutive on the other end for his inexperience in handling the 21st century kids and gadgets. :))

He had opened a new office in Pune and it was fully functional for 3 months. However he hadn't yet visited the office so when he came down to Pune to do so he asked me if I would join him. I agreed and reach his office (very close to Magarpatta) just on time for he would have killed me if I would have been late. I met him getting out of his car and as we were about to enter the premises the guard stopped us. He asked us for our credentials to enter the building premises. I obviously didn't have any. I looked at Uncle and the look on his face told me that he didn't have any either. The guard refused to let us in. I tried to reason with him but he told me point blank - "Koi bhi aake kuch bhi bolega toh hum maan lenge kya?" (Do you think I am gonna listen to any tom dick and harry who walks in). As soon as he said that I thought there was gonna be something horrible happening, I mean the guard was stopping the owner of that god damed office. I looked at uncle apprehensively and he was cool as a cucumber...he didnt react at all and was infact smiling as I tried to talk to the guard(s).

After about 20-25 minutes there came another man who was the branch head and the guard promptly saluted him. Mr. Akhil (I dont rem his name..but lets christen him with that), the Pune office's head started shouting at the guard. He told him that Sharma uncle was the big boss and he had committed a crime. The guard's face lost its color and he stood meekly facing Uncle.

But you know what this Delhi based, owner of so many offices did? He patted him on his back and told him - "Sahi hain! acha laga yeh dekhke ki aap apna kaam sahi tarah se kar rahe ho. Aaage bhi aise hi kaam kaarna. Agar aap aaj humein andar jaane dete toh humein sochna padta ki guard ki zaroorat hain ya nahin humein." (I am glad that you didn't let me in else I would have second thoughts on having you as a guard to my office.)
Saying so he took out his wallet and handed over some money to him. The guard's face regained its color as he went back to his proud posture again. Mr. Akhil was dumbfounded by the change of events.

And me, I will never forget the lesson. The Pune branch has now been merged with the Mumbai one and is no longer operational. I haven't met uncle for many months but I often get mails about his company's announcements. I know why is he so successful at everything he does, he respects everyone and is so very honest to the term - dignity of labour

humming....

tujhe kya gam tera rishta,
gagan ki baasuri se hain,
pavan ki guftagu se hain,
suraj ki roshni se hain......


If you dont remember the lines you are not in sync with one of the most amazing music albums in recent times....its from Masakalee of Delhi-6
Sounds a lot like Gulzaar, but its not...its Prasoon Joshi