Hey YOU..DoN't B1OcK the BlOgGerZ

October 24, 2006

Problematic Phone

Filed under: IT in ME

My phone is having problem for the past few days emoticon. Can’t receive call or make call out but can send SMS. Problem started on the eve of deepavali.. may be the line got bugged down by the zillions of SMS that waving out. emoticon , i hope this will resolved soon by Digi or I need to upgrade the SIM card.

October 15, 2006

Frankie the King of the house

Filed under: Personal

Below is our pet puppi .. His name is Frankie aka "Pinky boy" , he is very cute adorable and smarty. He is king of the house.. he loves to eat mango and chicken but hate dog’s food..funny eh?  He has one brother and sister names Fei-chai and Moi to. Origin from pomeranian.. he is afraid of thunder emoticon

 

 

 

Keshav into Kumari

Filed under: Personal

Keshav is my cousin brother.. last semester break he came down to Ampang to spend his holidays. 3 of us Me,my sister vijayesh & hema planned to do something disasteroussss.. hahaha , we dragged him into our room and applied make-ups and yeahhhh…. below is the outcome.. we become devil of the day for him.. Anyway he was very supportive to our request and cute..dia boleh act cam pompuan pulak..

 

October 14, 2006

###### server enigma

Filed under: IT in ME

emoticon one of the Sun Server was down after patching, real killer. Stayed agile for almost 8 hours to solve the issue. Thank god, a angel from NL is helping else all of us will go crazy. Saturday night supposed to chiller but ended up becoming heater. emoticon, Some smart-ian has change mount command into a directory emoticon before tht the server not even booting up..anyway now coming almost to close shop.

October 8, 2006

My First Swimming lesson

Filed under: Personal

I had my first swimming lesson today at Cheras near Pantai Medical Center emoticon. The coach name is Major Kee, very nice and funny guy. Very cool. We was given briefing on the class schedules and our lesson packs. I didn;t manage to get goggles and swimming suit but need to before going for next class.emoticon  Basically this is just for Water survival. First started with breathing exercise in the pool, OMG never know such a thing exist..we need to perform it 50 times, not easy for new learners like me. Then we was taught of floating downwards.. yeh.. actually it took me few practices to be comfortable with. Well done emoticon! Next is floating upwards.. this want really slack lah.. terus tenggelam.. but need practise..need a lot of practise..emoticon , My sister and bf was also joining together so mmg fun-lah !

October 7, 2006

" Fate brought us together.. one day fate will unite us...""

Filed under: Personal

This story revolves Friendship,love, anger, hatred, miseries, tears and ?.. it is not another blockbuster of year like Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham neither no one could have imagine the story.This true story revolves Turkan (hero) and Liviu ( heroine) … The story remind me of Veer Zara, sacrifices of Veer Pratap Singh for Zara and vice versa.

Mid Year 1923-1925

Liviu need to leave her hometown to another state which is near to border of Germany. She was only 9 years old, she followed her mom and sister to Hamburg. Intially she didn;t like the place but got adjusted to the new environment. Everything seems to be new.. She was enrolled in new school, being educated from All Girls Catholic school, co-ed school seems to be very different to her. Her language teacher was very stern, Mrs.Krustek. She is very afraid of her but her life went on… as days passed and months, she started to like the school and environment. She loves the spiral candy that she always buy for $1. She is very timid, quiet and active girl.

She studied very hard for her exams. She always score high mark for her english beating the rest students in the class. But she is very weak in her mathematics, but it is OK. She continued performing very well and yes finally she made it.. She was announced the top scorer for her class. She broke the happy news to her parents , they encouraged her and congratulated her for her hard work. She is very deeply happy about her results. She didnt  even dreamt she could make it in Hamburg.

(First spike…)

Finally prize giving day arrives.. that is where she meet Turkan. A young thin, bespectacles guy , he was also one of the awardees . He is top student in his class. He looks very shy and ego.

Year 1926 ( First Commotion)

Liviu is in a different year and class, She had to leave her friends behind and joined the elite standard, Turkan was same class with her. He is very noisy and messy. He don;t even iron his uniform but he is the apple of eye of all the teacher’s , He is smart guy. I was appointed to be the class leader. One day as usual Turkan made noise in the class and caused disturbance to others. This made Liviu furious and reported to Mrs.Andrea, Mrs.Andrea punished Turkan to weed grass in the school’s farm. On the same day angrily Turkan ran over to me and warned me that he will take revenge on me, he will break my head after school…. She started having butterfly in my stomach.. drrrriiiiiinnnnggggg, school session is over but she think twice whether to leave the school compound, what if Turkan strike with a plank ?? What if the chatterbox rascal appear infront of her ?

To good to be true …But he didn’t…

( they completed their lower secondary and both went on to further their higher secondary in year 1927 , the same college, same class but both never spoke to each other, neither smiled or even acknowledges, Liviu still hates Turkan for his nasty behaviour. Turkan studied very hard and yes he is performing very well in his studies and become one of the top student in class and college. Where as Liviu still on Par with him but can never beat him in the studies because he has a brain of E=mc2 )

Year 1930

A new guy joined Liviu class ,His name is Chastelier, this guy had eye on her , he tries to follow her and would set his evil eye on her each time . Liviu hate every sight of him, he tries to impress her in each and every way including his masculinity. He soon become good friend of Turkan… Other guys in other standards do came showed their interest on her but she brushes them off. Not because she is self egoistic but she has her ambition.. she has her dream to be fulfilled. She has a trust from her parents that she needs to engrave a name .. a identity for the family. She behold that trust in her heart.

Year 1931

Chastelier gave hard time to Liviu after she rejected his love. He started self abusing him to get pittance from her, but he was wrong. Liviu didn;t bothered about him at all, although she felt bad but she ignored him. But day by day situation started worsening, Chastelier started consuming alcohols in the name for love and threathen Liviu that he might end his life if she didn;t give in. Liviu felt very disgusted at his cowardness to face a life without love. She approached Turkan ( chastelier’s best friend) and for the first time seeked his help to speak to Chastelier . He just nodded the head, although he didn;t seem to show any interest. But Turkan seems to be different now, not like the one that i know 5 years ago. He is much more sweeter and soft spoken. ……. Days went on .. Months pass but Liviu didn;t even bothered to speak to Chastelier anymore….

 Examination Hall ( First feelings)

"You know you love someone when you cannot put into words how they make you feel."

Both of them in their final year, the examination day arrives. Before entering the exam hall, Liviu with her girlfriends was discussing on exam topics, exchanging ideas and tips. However everyone took the chance to wish luck.. Liviu went over to Turkan to wish luck(shake hands), something happened that time.. without realising she was pressing agains Turkan’s finger nail .. although both their eyes met but nothing was sensed. Liviu felt something.. it is really something. But she ignored and entered the examination hall.

( Everyone sat for the final exam and end their High School life here…)

A week before Christmas ( Second Feelings)

Liviu wanted to send X’mas greetings to all her friends , she called up everyone for the address and so as Turkan. She called Turkan for the first time, as she dialled his number +031-30312274, the feeling that struck at exam hall brushed her heart slowly….Kring…Kring..Turkan answered the phone, "Hello , Can I speak to Turkan ?" Liviu asked gently , "Yes Turkan here" answered Turkan in his sweet Husky voice.. Liviu felt weak …the feeling is now greasing her mind strongly, Oh my I never been attracted to such a husky-musky sweet voice before.. She couldn;t believe a nasty guy like Turkan could have such a sweet everlasting voice. She felt something anew.. she felt very happy. Both of them had a conversation, they exchanged their address. Liviu hung up the phone.. She sat and tought to herself, "what is the new feeling that is spiking me, ? " "why only to Turkan ? " " Why must be him " , "What is so special about him ".. "Yes he is special because he is smart and intelligent but what else ".. "..He is simple guy "… but she is unable to make any judgement..something struck her mind which gush down electrifying signals through all her veins to her auditory impulse… "OH YES IT IS HIS VOICE" , "Am i entangled to his husky musky voice ??? " Thousands of questions lingered on Liviu’s mind… she is just so speechless and breathless unable to believe that she is simply attracted to his voice which is as sweet as honey.

Liviu sat and wrote the xmas card for Turkan , get it posted as well. Hoping it will reach him.
After that Liviu didn;t call him neither does he. Months passed by.. Chastelier called Liviu and bragged about himself and his divine love. He sends her a Birthday card but furious Liviu tore the card into pieces and flush it down the toilet. She is very unhappy receiving card from him, she just hated the sight of him. He turns deaf to all her advises and rejection.

( Liviu wanted to master on painting thus she enrolled herself with one of the most oldest Art school in Hamburg , Le’Iskule Du- arcts Center which is owned by the most famous Modern painter, Sir Guille lesres. Due to her undying commitments she became fellow student of Sir Guille. As usual She showed her positive attitude, remarkable performance and enthusiasm. )

One day while she was engrossed painting "4 seasons of Hamburg", her house phone rings.. dringggg…dring…she walked over and answered "Hello…", sshe heard a response and she recognised the husky-musky voice, It is TURKAN ! She quickly threw the painting brush aside and continued talking to him, she was very Happy to hear his voice,, there is a magic in his voice, she said to herself. Turkan announced the happy news that he has been offered a place to study Architectural Science at University of Paris in France. She was very happy for him, his hard work has been paid off..She knows that he deserves this. Turkan told her something that has increased the excitement, "I wanted to break the happy news to you first, my heart said that I should tell you first…", Liviu sarcastically but smilingly asked " Oh thanks, im glad but i tought you only share news with chastelier and not anyone else….." she lamented but Turkan cut off even before she could finish her sentence " but my heart says to said it to you first, and Im glad that I did it.

( Liviu was very happy for Turkan because he was the only guy that manage to make it to the Oldest University in Paris. Months passed by Liviu concerntrated on her arts , she completed her first level within 3 months, soon she would be mastering caligraphy and printing. She made friends and tought of Turkan never came to her mind. During her free time she gathered few young children and started teaching arts and craft to support her higher level of studies. Her parents had always encouraged her to perform well. Not only that she has grown to be very beautiful livelier young lady. Many young men approached her but she ignored all of them completely. She has never had any interest into gauge in love at this young age, she wanted to achieve so much in life.)

Divine Feeling
( After 3 months), her house phone rings.. kringggg…Kringggs, Liviu’s mom answered the phone and passed the phone to her. She was amazed to hear the same husky musky voice, it is none other than Turkan. "Hoi , Liviu how are you doing ?" Asked Turkan "Liviu was excited "I..m doing fine , i was shocked to hear your voice, I didn;t expect to receive call from you"… Turkan added "Haahahhaa, I just came back from University, Im on 2 months break but I have much preparation to do for my upcoming lesson. I will be going around Hamburg to capture and draw some of the buildings that we have, I need to make some research out of it" .. "Ehmm how is you class going on… I…I …I believe you must have grown into young beautiful lady, …u put on weight ? "Liviu jumped out of her chair " awwww.. no instead i have lost so much of weight, im busy with my caligraphy"..Turkan intervene " You must be looking very pretty now.. i feel i could " .. Liviu added "…could what ?" Turkan answered "Nothing.. Nothing" , They ended up laughing with each other.Turkan suggested both of them keep in touch with each other by sending telegram, Turkan gave his Paris address. Liviu stumbled upon his address, she sat by the chair and wondering again, what is the meaning of this feeling. Am I inlove with Turkan, but why him there are few guys approached me last time , some are even rich guy but i ignored them, and now im entangled like a spider in the web of Turkan’s voice. There is a magic in his voice, the magic that rush down my million veins, that arouse my mind and reminded me of my feminity.. the magic feeling that troubled my hormones .. it is so divine.

After 9 months…
I was offered to learn "chatan" under the tutelage of Sir Guilles , it is all due to my hardwork and ambitious notion that brought me the success. It is not easy to be choosen as one as Sir Guilles is very strict man and noble man. I went to see him before starting my new classes with him, he was filling tobbaco into his pipe, he offered me to sit , he started conversing with me while he called the maid to make Earl tea to both of us ( Sir Guille is very keen on drinking tea , especially earl tea) , while slurping hot tea , he asked me " Liviu , i wanted to go to Paris in month time for vacation , can you and Sir Zoireus conduct basic painting lesson to few of the students that are coming from King Edwards College , he asked sternly ? In a soft voice she muttered "…err rrr.. Sure Sir Guiile , I will " she said assuringly. Conversation went on…

As always  Liviu will look forward for Sundays because every Sunday night she will write telegram to Turkan, so does him. Now she has bookful of telegraph messages from Turkan , she realised that they share so much of similiarities with each other. They both liked blue color, they dislikes sweet stuff and has same ambition, to be in line with medical.

( The conversation in letter’s went on, they became closer each day, both started having feelings for each other…..)

24-09-1933 ( finally the day came, heart piercing feeling)

Liviu was amazed and was tears when she read few lines from Turkan’s letter ,Turkan wrote ".. I don;t know how to say this but I started having special feelings for you, I don;t want to be late else.. Please think it over, I have just completed my exam and I will call you tommorow night, I need to speak to you about the feelings that i have expressed, I know we have much barriers.. but pls " . Liviu was shivering, she didn;t expected Turkan to made a decision  very soon. Turkan knows well that other guy’s are also having interest with me..But what am i supposed to write ? Million’s on uncertainty hit her mind continuously. She is very stunned and also very much wanted to say the same to Turkan, but she can;t do that now. She felt very numb,sick and weak. "Oh my he is going to call me tommorow night, what should I tell him "..Why I’m so unfortunate, why can’t I express my love now , al though i very much wanted.(Liviu can;t never disclosed her secret love that she had for Turkan for many reason, keep on reading).

She waited anxiously for the night call, no one was at home. Her parents went for Winery celebration after grape harvesting in Fillabo , 20KM from Hamburg. She excused herself. She kept on counting the seconds ticks from the house clock. …Kringggggggggggggggggggg , she ran over to the phone and answered . It was him, her sweetheart with the same seducing voice, "Hi Liviu, …. so what you think about the proposal i made to you over the letter ? "  Asked Turkan, hearing his voice.. Liviu started crying profusely… "No.. I can;t..im helpless.. I can’t be in love with you, we belong to different society… My parents will never agree to this…" said Liviu sobbingly. "But.. please " said Turkan. "No matter what happens , I will wait for you, no matter how many years it could take".. pleaded turkan. Liviu Braveheartedly said " Will you give me 4 years to settle things , till then we can be good friend , but if in between of the 4 years..if you meet someone better than me, please settle down with her,We can still be good friend’s.. " said Liviu. Turkan sadly said "there is no one else than you in my life".. "I made this decision after seeing all the similiarities we have, our mindset, your speciality and your beauty had made me to fall in love for you dramatically".. said Turkan. All this words made Liviu to be even more sadder, she wanted to say the same.. the same magic words to Turkan and each time she wanted… she ended up swallowing her words. She is in pain and agony. The conversation ended.

Liviu ran to her room and cried the whole night quietly. She loved this man but she couldn;t say it , it is piercing her heart.Next day Liviu woke up.. she was tired and remembered that Turkan is coming down next week to visit her , but he didn;t mention when. Liviu was busy teaching her King Edward’s student , there was a Knock on the class door. Madame Angerias is on the door, "Madame Liviu, there is a gentleman waiting for you at the living room "…my heartbeat doubled, who could it be ? I don;t think Turkan would ever come here..but what if he did. "Why on the earth am i wearing this dress , will he like them ? " I could hear my troubled heart echoing ..As I walked i saw a tough, tall and good looking guy with mousetache. It is TURKAN !!Oh my guess is perfect!! His look ..melted my heart like butter. He walked closer to me, our eyes met for the first time, it spoke thousand of love words that only both of us could understand. I could feel chill breeze of thin air striking on my face..that brought his body scent closer and injected into my veins, Liviu felt very helpless.. she wanted to give a tight hug but she hold up everything within herself. We shook our hands.
I took him to my private room, ever since I become tutor, Sir Guilles has allocated a private room where I could coach the students and have special attention given. I was blessed today because of him. I served Turkan a cup of Arabic coffe, he seems to love it ( i could see from his face expression). I sat beside him, we exchanged words. Our eyes often met, at times we go speechless or silent and we will exchange smiles. Turkan again said the thing that he wrote in letter, which made her to sob again. This time Turkan hold her hands and promised that he will wait for her no matter how long it takes. "But Liviu, can you tell what ..what are your actual problems, what is stopping you from loving me, You don’t like me, you think I can’t  provide you with all the happiness ? ".. "Please , tell me, I want to hear them from you ".. pleaded Turkan. Liviu went silent another time.. she moved Turkan’s hand and started walking slowly towards the main door..

Liviu cried badly, she is holding the years of feeling innner her but it is just so difficult for her to express the same love she had for Turkan."please behold the family’s virtue, you must study hard and engrave a name for yourself. You must be independent and fight against all the challenges".. this are the wisdom words from her mom. Liviu is afraid if she express her love to Turkan she may not be able to uphold the family’s virtue and excellence. Besides that both of them belong to 2 different world, class of religion. It is not easy for Liviu to throw her religion for a man she just know for few years.

Years later..

They still kept in touch via letter, and was very happy in each others arm virtually,although Liviu holding her feelings but Turkan always confesses it openly to her, he will never forget to write those sweetie lovey words on each letter, wherelese Liviu kisses those words written by Turkan, hiding the boisterous love that she had for her man.

3 months later

After completion of his College, Turkan manage to secure a job in Steel Industry as a Administrator for liquid chemicals which was well known in Dusseldorf . He is also directly looking after skyscrapper that needed to be installed which was known as Lufthansa-Hochhaus ( Currently Headquarters of German Airline Lufthansa).

After a busy weekend, Turkan took the train back to home, the journey took him 3 hours..during that duration he was constantly dreaming of his beau…

Turkan was walking back home with joy to see his parents and beloved sister after long… as he stepped he could see both his parents was sitting ferociously at door step. They yelled, scolded, chided him with nasty words. He was stunned… his mom throw all the letters from Liviu on his face, to his amaze how did she manage to dig up all my well kept letters ??? Both of them took turn to scold him with nasty words, they are angry because Turkan their blue-eyed boy fallen in love with a girl from different religion !!

At the same time,

Liviu’s mom scolded and slapped her daugther continuously after Turkan’s mom called her home and chided her with hurtful words, "your daughter is a pro******* , ask her to sl*** with some other man, what she did to seduce my son "?? "You did’t teach good behaviour to your daughter, she is useless, my son performed badly in his studies because of tht bit** ! ,

(..story will be discontiunued temporarily as the writter has submerged into sorrowness)

Work ..work..WoRk

Filed under: IT in ME

Very tired working continuously for 14 days emoticon.. ever since come back from Miri didn;t have chance to get enough rest.. body aches..but not sleepy. Night work is real killer emoticon!! Waiting and anticipating to start my swimming class tommorow with my sister and loved one. So 3 of us gonna to become frog of the day… atlast my wish for diving is becoming reality..yahoooo !! emoticon Next tuesday got S.Lead workshop.. which will end atleast late evening. Ehmmm..waiting to go back and see my loving parents. I haven’t met them ever since i came back frm Miri.. feel very empty… oh calendar pls speed up !! Oh Clock please move faster…emoticon

The news i receive from Management on BPO is shocking emoticon..made me very sad. I spoke to Jas ( my guru) he pacified me and agreed to lunch on Monday with Siva & Jagdish.. they will surely make my day betteremoticon. Of course my lovey dovey knows about this.. he started praying hard for me.. but no one knows wat happens..emoticon Anyway he has been great support.. if i dun have money to pay for my car ..he will pay for them..hhehehehehehe emoticon

October 1, 2006

Sudha Murty - Who is she ?

Filed under: Personal

Sometime in life we may despise a person because of their status, needless to say One even willing to flush their love into drain just because the man is not rich enough to support the materialistic needs, forget about giving a fair chance. I believe true love can change everything in life including the person whom you love, you just need to lift their spirit and realise the magic one has, unstint support ,stay true and be a women behind their success. Like any other girl Sudha went through her bad phase in her life, dejection,rejection,diffidence..everything i could say ..but now..…the true story below justifies how a outgoing women like Sudha could be the wife of famous…. continue reading..

Have Passion!

It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies’ hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of Science.

I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US. I had not thought of taking up a job in India.

One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco (now Tata Motors). It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc.

At the bottom was a small line: "Lady candidates need not apply."

I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.

Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers. Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful.

After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco’s management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco.

I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company’s chairman then). I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote.

"The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India, such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives. They have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender."

I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco’s Pune facility at the company’s expense. I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs 30 each from everyone who wanted a sari. When I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip.

It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city.

To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways. As directed, I went to Telco’s Pimpri office for the interview.

There were six people on the panel and I realised then that this was serious business.

"This is the girl who wrote to JRD," I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realisation abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.

Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, "I hope this is only a technical interview."

They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude. The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them.

Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, "Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories."

I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place.

I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, "But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories."

Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married.

It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House (the Tata headquarters) when, suddenly JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw "appro JRD". Appro means "our" in Gujarati. This was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him.

I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, "Jeh (that’s what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate.

She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor." JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it).

Thankfully, he didn’t. Instead, he remarked. "It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?"

"When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir," I replied. "Now I am Sudha Murthy." He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room.

After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him.

One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realise JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me.

"Young lady, why are you here?" he asked. "Office time is over." I said, "Sir, I’m waiting for my husband to come and pick me up." JRD said, "It is getting dark and there’s no one in the corridor.

I’ll wait with you till your husband comes."

I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.

I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn’t any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, "Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee."

Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, "Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again." In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused.

Gently, he said, "So what are you doing, Mrs Kulkarni?" (That was the way he always addressed me.) "Sir, I am leaving Telco."

"Where are you going?" he asked. "Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I’m shifting to Pune."

"Oh! And what will you do when you are successful."

"Sir, I don’t know whether we will be successful." "Never start with diffidence," he advised me. "Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. I wish you all the best."

Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive. Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay House, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, "It was nice hearing about Jeh from you. The sad part is that he’s not alive to see you today."

I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters everyday. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn’t do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever.

Close to 50 per cent of the students in today’s engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

My love and respect for the House of Tata remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and magnificence.

(Sudha Murthy is a widely published writer and chairperson of the Infosys Foundation involved in a number of social development initiatives. Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.)

Article sourced from: Lasting Legacies (Tata Review- Special Commemorative Issue 2004), brought out by the house of Tatas to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of JRD Tata on July 29, 2004.






















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