Birthday Musings-hits &misses

BIRTHDAY MUSINGS-HITS &MISSES

I have experienced 87 winters and 87 summers. As I prepare to face the 88th winter, I cannot help but reflect on my past, reliving some of the experiences that have shaped me. Being the eldest of ten children, with an equal number of brothers and sisters, adulthood was tough. My father, who began his career as a schoolteacher, rose to the position of Superintendent of a Borstal school for juvenile delinquents. He was a man of impeccable character and unquestionable integrity.

I began my career as an analytical assistant in a laboratory after graduation. Observing that career growth was painfully slow, I transitioned to the private sector. Due to family responsibilities, I got married at the age of 33 and was blessed with two daughters soon after. “Manaivi amaivadhellam Iraivan alitha varam” (A good wife is a gift from God). Mythili truly embodied this adage, sacrificing many comforts for the sake of our family. She managed the household excellently, allowing me to focus on my official responsibilities with ease and diligence. I eventually rose to the position of VP Commercial in a leading K.K. Birla Group company and became a member of the leadership team. When I felt a sense of diminishing utility I opted for retirement in 1997 much to the displeasure of my management.

To my surprise, I was inundated with consultancy offers, which provided a satisfying experience, particularly in navigating unfamiliar territories and finding solutions. One thrilling incident that comes to mind is traveling in a press car to catch a flight from Bangalore to Ahmedabad during the time actor Rajkumar was abducted by the notorious sandalwood smuggler, Veerappan. This was to keep an appointment with the top echelon of an organization. I've faced life-threatening situations, including resisting pressure to appoint locals and traveling through Punjab during the height of the terrorist movement.

Accomplishments I’ll Carry to the Grave:

• Planting 150,000 trees in our factory complex (spanning 1,200 acres) as part of our greenbelt initiative and creating a man-made forest on 25 acres with native trees that thrive on hillocks. I have, in this way, left my footprint in the sands of time.
• As a member of the working group constituted by GOI I prepared the report on the Dos and Dont for PSU fertiliser sector companies.
• Training over 1,000 marketing personnel as a core faculty member in both national and international programs.
• Assisting the governments of Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Tanzania in developing SOPs and strategic plans for fertilizer consumption and marketing, first as a consultant for FAO, FADNAP under the United Nations, and later for the World Bank.
• Building the first house in an unapproved 25-acre layout on East Coast Road in Chennai, just 600 meters from the sea. Today, the layout boasts over 500 houses. I even share a compound wall with empty plots owned by actor Rajinikanth. Initially, the street was named after me, but it was later changed at my mother's request.
• I cared for Mythili during her illness, tending to her like a child. In her own words, I was her best friend, philosopher, and guide.

Regrets:

• I was unable to pursue my ambition of sitting for the civil services exam.
• In my efforts to help others, I lost some good friends.
• Two marriages in the family (not my daughters') failed—one due to parental interference, and the other due to a gross mis judgment of the boy’s character. One girl has settled very well, while the other is on the rise professionally.
• God snatched away a wonderful soul at the age of 64 left me crippled for the rest of my life.
• Casual smoking, which escalated to an unacceptable level during extreme stress in 1992-1993 when handling the public issue. This involved travel to twenty Indian cities and seven countries to address investors, stock brokers, NRIs and press meets. I almost fell down unconscious in Jakarta but my ego did not allow me to listen to the warning signals from the body and I continued. This led to a massive heart attack in 1995 and subsequent open-heart surgery.

Though I experience bouts of illness, I remain in full possession of my faculties and take care of my personal needs. I now require occasional oxygen support during sleep (due to sleep apnea) and use a wheelchair when going out, as a measure of abundant caution. The heart attack was a blessing in disguise as I stopped smoking and am leading a regimental life, Here I am with my kindred souls in IL exchanging titbits and engaging in lively banter .For how long is a mystery which no one can unravel.

 

Dear Harilakera,
Thanks for your good wishes and profound words of wisdom.Contrary to the general practice I review my balance sheet on my birthday.Mithilas premature departure has left a void and to some extent Ilites have become a part of my family and hence I chose to "unbosom my heart".We used to discuss -who will go first.Mithila used to say " i am a sensitive person whereas you will survive under any situation and therefore I would like to go first.But under no circumstances take any " nonsense" from your daughters.She made this statement in the presence of my daughters.My daughter bought an expensive saree and after wearing twice she thought it would suit mithila better.When she offered it to her Mithila said " as your mother I will accept it but not as SLNs wife" You can construe
any meaning out of this.As a part of the IL family I venture to share my thoughts without restraint.
Regards
SLN

 

Dear Rama,
Thanks for your good wishes.My date of birth is 6-10-1937 though officially it is 9th. In a lighter vein I share the year of birth with Saddam Hussein as Mithila used to remind me whenever we had an argument.IL relaxes you and therefore take some time off now and then.
Regards SLN

 

Thanks Syamala for your wishes.Life is like a rainbow which appears when it rains as well as shines .
Regards SLN

 

What a lovely poem immortalising the person.As I always say the Flower has withered but the fragrance lingers.