Full Circle!

The applause was reverberating through the corridors of the headquarters. It was a sort of thing the ageing structure, built during the British rule in India, hadn’t seen in recent times. And certainly not what you’d expect during working hours of a Public Sector Bank.

The entire office rallied voluntarily to be part of the event, most people cheering for their favourite leader, mentor and guide. A few onlookers and customers’ joined in for what they thought was a celebration.  It was indeed a celebration! Vishal Seth, who had run the banking business was retiring and just finished his farewell address to the company, where he’d spent almost all of his adult life thus far.

Vishal Seth was known in the bank, and in the banking circles, for his integrity, forthrightness and honesty. He wouldn’t buckle under pressure from wily Politicians asking for unsecured loans to their kin or sway to the temptation offered in abundance, by the lobbying Corporates for out-of-turn favours. And yet miraculously, he not just managed to survive but grow in the organization as well.

Vishal’s journey from being a clerk to managing the bank’s entire retail business was legendary and would proudly be mentioned to the new probationers, as part of their induction.

That afternoon, when Vishal returned home, his entire family was present to receive him – his wife, son, daughter-in-law and their 10-year-old, grandson Vinay. Vinay had even made a greeting for his grandpa wishing him a great retired life, not knowing what that would really mean. Vishal was happy and rightfully proud; after all, this was the only real possession he could muster along these years of service – great family values.

Not being the one who could stay out of action for long, Vishal began reviewing a few plans he’d prepared over the last few months on how he’d spend his retired life. Joining an NGO as an administrator for a few years was definitely high on the cards. As was helping his old friend in his business, where he had the chance of making more money in a month than he’d have earned in a year at the bank.

That evening when the whole family gathered for dinner, in what was a daily ritual, Vinay visibly excited that his grandpa could now spend more time with him, was coming up with suggestions on the games they could play together. Vinay sure did have a great time beating his grandfather at Scrabble, while the old man wouldn’t mind one bit.

In the midst of the special spread the family was having for dinner, Vishal Seth casually enquired on what his grandchild wanted to become when he grew up and came a reply immediately – “A pilot”. Vinay was very impressed by his uncle who wore a great uniform and got him a lot of gifts from his international trips.

Vishal was instantly reminded about the conversation he had with his own father several decades ago, and yet distinctly remembered it like it happened yesterday.

“What do you want to be when you grow up son?” Asked the father.

“I’d like to grow up to be a teacher,” said the son innocently, but with a lot of enthusiasm. He could picture himself in a classroom full of students. He’d think about the respect he’d command and attention he’d get every time he would step into the classroom. He would always imagine students applauding his effort, he’d seen all good teachers getting felicitated.

With childlike innocence and enthusiasm, Vishal left for his study to make a fresh plan for his future and Vinay’s. That night he slept the best.

– Article by Niranjan Rao