Today as i sat in the first row of a business class seat, i reflect on my life which saw some of the most spectacular events in the last couple of months. though it sounds little cheap but then i am ordinary person from a very ordinary family who wants to do something in life. Who always wanted to experience things which his father, his family and clan could not have even imagined or even dreamt.
So let me write what i felt. First of all one fine day i was asked by my bosses to moderate a panel in leadership forum. And who were the panelist? some of the top men from some of the best known brands. I was tad nervous and it showed. I was stiff and blabbering in the beginning but regained control as things progressed. But on the whole it went well. I really felt a few good words from Arvind soothe my frayed nerves. I think i did well as that week Brand Equity gave me a quarter page coverage. Then came the 2nd opportunity when i was invited to become part of a panel discussion in a fairly large food forum. I felt kinda funny when people who didn't give me a damn few years ago were shaking my hand as if i were some log lost friend. Well that what i suppose this is what happens when you reach "there". Anyways, i had a great time. The best thing which happened was today. I spoke in front of a class of students in ISB!! yes the hallowed place where it takes 20+ lacs for one year to become part of an exclusive club of MBAs. I heard people come here to get big bucks and get into a network. Connections which will more than return the 20+ lacs spent here. I felt good and confident and carried off the presentation with ease. I guess I can speak i front of any audience now. A long way for a guy like me. Tomorrow I am being interviewed by a channel on green retail. Imagine Green retail!!
Now the best part, my wife and a great fighter of a woman, Amrita, slogged her butt off last few days on one presentation to top bosses. She worked all nights day after day. She wanted things to be just correct. Guess what they told her at the end of this?, "you are going to Mumbai"..to do what? to present her part to the board of directors. A Billion dollar plus company. Its a indeed a fantastic achievement for a woman who was not getting a job while in MBA institute. How many woman in HR gets a chance to stand in front of a team of crack directors and peak. All that in just about ten years!
I remember seeing her standing dejected against the corridor wall after one of those campus interviews. I remember her sad face and drooping shoulders. I remember i felt heart broken. I remember telling her not to lose hope. Today i dint have to tell anything to her. A cancer survivor and super honest hard worker, she will shine and get the accolades which she so well deserves.
