A big lesson from a small incident
Posted by on October 29, 2009
The whole day was bad. I was convinced of it. I was a wannabe software engineer. I had 4 years of experience in various IT related fields. I had been a trainer, a project guide, a developer, and even a video editor in these 4 years. But all that had been “Once upon a time in Goa”. This was Bangalore and I still had to prove my worth to this electronic city.
That day I had an appointment with CEO of a company. I wasn’t very keen on this job, but had agreed for the appointment when the HR person had called me. I didn’t think I would get many chances and whatever came my way, I had decided to go for it. During the 1 hr journey from Sheshadripuram to Airport Road, I talked myself into making a good impression, into using the chance even if it meant only to sustain out here. I knew only too well the reluctance of my parents to let me be on my own in this big city. Another 2 weeks and they would start asking me to come back. The thought of going back empty handed provided all the incentive (?!) needed to work hard over here.
Finally, I saw the familiar-by-now, Leela Palace and got down from the bus. Walking towards the office I said a silent prayer and asked God Almighty to give me what was best for everyone. Then there was a blur of activities and I found myself at the reception asking for the CEO, enquiring about my appointment with him. I was asked to take a seat, which I did and waited patiently. Minutes ticked by. My patience began wearing out.
After whole of 2 Hours, I saw a guy approach me. He asked, “What is the matter? Are you waiting for someone?” I answered, collecting all my sanity, begging myself to keep a cool head, “I have come to meet Mr. Shah. HR person has fixed our appointment. This is regarding the interview I have cleared and my posting in this organization.” Enquiring eyes almost mocked me as he said, “I am Shah, the CEO of this company. But I don’t remember anything about this appointment. Let me see…” With that he did a 180-degree turn and walked out. I hoped at least now I can speak to him and be done with it. I gathered my papers and almost perched at the edge of the sofa, ready to go. My surprise on knowing he was the CEO had saved me from bursting out at him, which, ironically, was to my advantage.
Another 5 minutes followed and then I was met by a young guy. He smiled at me, I smiled back. Almost hearing before he spoke, what I wanted to hear, “You may go in…” But no, that wasn’t what he was saying. He told me, “Sorry Ma’m. Sir is busy and cannot see you today. Our HR person will get in touch with you and let you know.” He couldn’t have cared less.
I thought of myself sitting nervously, worried about another interview which I had had to postpone because of this one. I thought of these people playing with someone else’s time, effort. That was the last straw. Something snapped inside me and I spoke in clear ringing voice, “How could you do that? It was Your HR person who asked me to come here, today. I was here before time, canceling other things for this one and now after so long you tell me to go away. Is this fair?” Futile words were exchanged and I walked back.
I felt all burnt out, cheated, betrayed and God-knows-what. I kept fretting over things, boiling blood while going over the same scenes again and again. I didn’t realize when I reached Shivajinagar and took another bus to my place. Crowded bus added to my dismay.
And then, something changed. A group of school kids entered the bus. People accommodated them. I guessed they were regulars on this bus. The driver seemed quite pally with them and some passengers too. I lost myself in their activities. So much that I almost forgot to notice that these were special kids. Challenged. Unable to communicate with language and words like us normal people. As this realization hit home, I was ashamed. Here was I: a healthy capable person, gifted by all the faculties and natural abilities. I could talk, communicate, reach out. Easily. And here were these kids: nature had cast them aside in many ways, normal things like speech which I took for granted, was a hurdle that lay in their path every moment of their life. They would be facing various types of treatments from other people, sympathy from grown-ups, ridicule from their healthy peers, may be even hate and contempt from some insensitive souls. But they had a gift of laughter about them, a survival kit of sunshine which they spread liberally.
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More than anything any interview or the preparation there of has ever taught me, I learnt something that day. From these young ones. A line I had read somewhere flashed to my mind. “Be a sun beam. There are many people who are in need of one!!!”
With a smile on my sweating face, I vowed to pursue this mission. |
Note: This post was earlier posted on my old blog, “A mused mind”.
