Transfer and Farewell – From Shimla to Srinagar
On Friday (19th July 2013) was given a farewell at Shimla. Now am in transit mode, mentally and physically, waiting for 23rd July to fly to Srinagar. Srinagar, the way things are panning out recently will be a challenge in all senses but that is a separate chapter. Right now I can reminiscence only about the slightly four plus years I passed at Shimla – the capital of a mountainous state at 7000 feet, the years have passed so swiftly . These have been happy engrossing years in which I have felt professionally enriched. It has been a pleasure to work with bankers and state government officers alike in HP, polite and very devoted and committed to their state even if perceptions may vary from us. One can learn how a State can develop on the social indices front by interacting with them. There were adventurous days also at times in these four years.
I remember one snowy day paying Rs 500/- to a local guy, to drive my car essentially 5-6 kms; I just could not control the car which kept slipping down a slope on frozen ice. Or driving on fresh snow with Ashwani to office, the snow falling swiftly in thick cotton sized flakes, feeling half excited and half afraid. Or driving through thick monsoon clouds with the windscreen fogging over consistently. Then those days in office when freezing conditions were such in which the fingers would not move in cold winter days until the heaters warmed you up. The ultimate remembrance, the young newly recruited officers, Amit, Nagendra, Pramod, Ajit, Sachin (I remember there were atleast 7 to 8 of them) standing excitedly and joyously in the falling snow, relishing it and all excited – at around 12 o clock in office hours. And a bemused lady official from a state government department nearby asking me what was all the fuss about !. For her it was normal and maybe a distraction or dislocation once the water pipes froze but the excitement on the faces of the young guys made me feel so youthful !. Once even the electricity failed for more than 24 hours in acute snowy conditions, but I am not letting that memory intrude here !!.
Ah the snow, my house had a slope towards the exit, one day I came out and slipped, I hung on for dear life to the gate which under my weight just swung wildly like a pendulum, while others watched in amazement, I hung on without any damage to my dignity !! Once I waited over an hour for the icicles to melt on a the slope towards my house as I did not want to fall after losing my balance.
The main and the essence I remember however are the guys who worked with me, the team players as it were - Lakshman – his first assignment in Corporate Planning, worked late hours in the cold. Then Bhupendra who would work 10 hours in 8 hours, Arun always calm and cool, then Suraj Bhan ji, he could pull up any official once I told him with the fullest confidence !. Nikhil in Micro Credit, a revelation in patience as we revised and revised a chapter. In Infrastructure, Poonam, what an excellent job in housekeeping and accounts, Prakash who did a wonderful job on workshops, specially on a Regional Meet. Then Shailendra and Amit, excellent in appraisal, picked up their work swiftly and surely and won the respect of the departments. Manavpreet and Anand, who within 15 days of their transfer were just raring to go in their assignments. Mostly young and well qualified, self confident, they sharpened my brain by their vigour and youthful energy. I can never forget them and never will. I must add Balwant here, always confident in any stress and handled all visitors from the districts with courtesy. We moved on as transfers occurred but they are a part of my memory. Guys, you don’t forget me and keep in touch and May God Bless you with all the best in life. It was a pleasure and joy to work with all of you, if I have forgotten any one, my sincere apologies.
Ofcourse one cannot forget all the bosses, unfailingly encouraging and always supportive and open minded. I worked with varying styles and learnt from all of them. Friendships were forged and shall remain, Ashwani, Dinesh Raina, Deepak Manchanda, Pasrija ji, Vinod Arya, AK Sood, Amla ji from UCO Bank, Shad ji and Chauhan ji from Planning Department of the State Government, its just too many to list here but it was a pleasure. The media guys who were always prompt and ran my stories are another sweet memory. I can only thank all who were at Shimla when I fell sick and literally helped me recover with their full support. The local staff at the office are individual gems, always ready to assist and help you through any problem, they are a support system for us on transfer. Saxena ji and Ravinder will have a lot to share when we meet up again. A fond good bye to all. Even the shopkeepers are unfailingly polite and service with a smile at Shimla, shall miss Hitesh specially.
Lastly, can I forget Rajesh, we were made to work consistently late on cold foggy days as a VIP visit was on the cards. One cold night Rajesh got up at 1030 pm and said “Kapila Sir, Yeh Dhara 144 to ja kar hatvao” (Request for this curfew order to be lifted). I really laughed out loud at his apt comment.
Its all I can state today, love you all and always will. Shall catch up in the next post. Bye.
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On Friday (19th July 2013) was given a farewell at Shimla. Now am in transit mode, mentally and physically, waiting for 23rd July to fly to Srinagar. Srinagar, the way things are panning out recently will be a challenge in all senses but that is a separate chapter. Right now I can reminiscence only about the slightly four plus years I passed at Shimla – the capital of a mountainous state at 7000 feet, the years have passed so swiftly . These have been happy engrossing years in which I have felt professionally enriched. It has been a pleasure to work with bankers and state government officers alike in HP, polite and very devoted and committed to their state even if perceptions may vary from us. One can learn how a State can develop on the social indices front by interacting with them. There were adventurous days also at times in these four years.
I remember one snowy day paying Rs 500/- to a local guy, to drive my car essentially 5-6 kms; I just could not control the car which kept slipping down a slope on frozen ice. Or driving on fresh snow with Ashwani to office, the snow falling swiftly in thick cotton sized flakes, feeling half excited and half afraid. Or driving through thick monsoon clouds with the windscreen fogging over consistently. Then those days in office when freezing conditions were such in which the fingers would not move in cold winter days until the heaters warmed you up. The ultimate remembrance, the young newly recruited officers, Amit, Nagendra, Pramod, Ajit, Sachin (I remember there were atleast 7 to 8 of them) standing excitedly and joyously in the falling snow, relishing it and all excited – at around 12 o clock in office hours. And a bemused lady official from a state government department nearby asking me what was all the fuss about !. For her it was normal and maybe a distraction or dislocation once the water pipes froze but the excitement on the faces of the young guys made me feel so youthful !. Once even the electricity failed for more than 24 hours in acute snowy conditions, but I am not letting that memory intrude here !!.
Ah the snow, my house had a slope towards the exit, one day I came out and slipped, I hung on for dear life to the gate which under my weight just swung wildly like a pendulum, while others watched in amazement, I hung on without any damage to my dignity !! Once I waited over an hour for the icicles to melt on a the slope towards my house as I did not want to fall after losing my balance.
The main and the essence I remember however are the guys who worked with me, the team players as it were - Lakshman – his first assignment in Corporate Planning, worked late hours in the cold. Then Bhupendra who would work 10 hours in 8 hours, Arun always calm and cool, then Suraj Bhan ji, he could pull up any official once I told him with the fullest confidence !. Nikhil in Micro Credit, a revelation in patience as we revised and revised a chapter. In Infrastructure, Poonam, what an excellent job in housekeeping and accounts, Prakash who did a wonderful job on workshops, specially on a Regional Meet. Then Shailendra and Amit, excellent in appraisal, picked up their work swiftly and surely and won the respect of the departments. Manavpreet and Anand, who within 15 days of their transfer were just raring to go in their assignments. Mostly young and well qualified, self confident, they sharpened my brain by their vigour and youthful energy. I can never forget them and never will. I must add Balwant here, always confident in any stress and handled all visitors from the districts with courtesy. We moved on as transfers occurred but they are a part of my memory. Guys, you don’t forget me and keep in touch and May God Bless you with all the best in life. It was a pleasure and joy to work with all of you, if I have forgotten any one, my sincere apologies.
Ofcourse one cannot forget all the bosses, unfailingly encouraging and always supportive and open minded. I worked with varying styles and learnt from all of them. Friendships were forged and shall remain, Ashwani, Dinesh Raina, Deepak Manchanda, Pasrija ji, Vinod Arya, AK Sood, Amla ji from UCO Bank, Shad ji and Chauhan ji from Planning Department of the State Government, its just too many to list here but it was a pleasure. The media guys who were always prompt and ran my stories are another sweet memory. I can only thank all who were at Shimla when I fell sick and literally helped me recover with their full support. The local staff at the office are individual gems, always ready to assist and help you through any problem, they are a support system for us on transfer. Saxena ji and Ravinder will have a lot to share when we meet up again. A fond good bye to all. Even the shopkeepers are unfailingly polite and service with a smile at Shimla, shall miss Hitesh specially.
Lastly, can I forget Rajesh, we were made to work consistently late on cold foggy days as a VIP visit was on the cards. One cold night Rajesh got up at 1030 pm and said “Kapila Sir, Yeh Dhara 144 to ja kar hatvao” (Request for this curfew order to be lifted). I really laughed out loud at his apt comment.
Its all I can state today, love you all and always will. Shall catch up in the next post. Bye.
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