WFH – a different narrative

When we had severe drought at our native, a remote part in India, only option we had was to migrate to a bigger town, leaving our house and land.

My parents were not highly educated, and they had been working in farmland all these years and we were not sure how we will survive in the city with less education but the confidence we had was on our hard work, sincerity and willpower.

When we moved into this city, Bengaluru, all of us in family were shocked for few days on the size of the city and bustling crowd. We were confident of finding some way of livelihood here and started looking for options.

One of the most recommended was to search for jobs in and around IT parks.

With that, my journey around IT parks started several yeas ago. It’s a world which is not observed by many, including those who work inside it.

This is not only journey of mine but lakhs of people who made the IT parks as their source of living.

Whenever a new company starts its office in city it’s not only gives direct labor and indirect supply chain of people and logistics but also there are other economic developments sprouted around it.

I am not sure if you have observed, there are several tiny eateries, mostly serving meals of various forms – North Karnataka Rotti , Andhra Meals, Kerala Paratha or simple Rice & Sambar etc. We also started one such small hotel which was extension of our home. We were cooking in our kitchen, converted the living room for serving purpose and thus lead to good earning to take care of our basic needs.

We had several professionals visiting our hotel for lunch. Many of them would like to have change from   routine office canteen or their home food and they wanted to taste different food. We were good in preparing it and thus, it was mutual benefit.

I was always curious to know what work they do inside the IT parks, a forbidden place for people like me. I was overhearing their conversations and understood, they work on some “projects”, they work with some clients and all of them have some managers.

Like me there were several places surviving on such IT people having their food, snacks. There were many homes which were demolished near such parks and converted to PG’s and service apartments, thus creating more employment for people like us.

We also had, many cab drivers from my native depending for their livelihood and so as pubs and restaurants which was a Friday must for the many workers inside IT parks.

When everything was going well, we heard news about a new fever which spreads like wildfire. Though initially it didn’t bother much, eventually it hit general public and government announced several measures to control the spread of virus.

All those professionals in the IT parks were asked to work from their homes. Thousands migrated to their natives with their systems to work and the ever-bustling IT parks got deserted.

Within span of few months, most of the rented premises, especially the hotels got vacated due to rent   and lack of business.

My eatery was extended home, and I was in need to survive without business. For days I was jobless and survived on the donations received from various organizations.

Whenever I saw videos and images of people enjoying their work from home, I was thinking about me, struggling here, to work for home.

It’s been eighteen months now and with the possibility of the normalcy sets in and hope of people coming back to office, If you happen to visit such IT parks, do checkout the surrounding areas. You will for sure find to-let boards, locked shops, broken glass panels.

I can’t blame anyone here, it’s their life and fortune they are able to survive this onslaught working from wherever they want and its our fate, to keep waiting for the offices to reopen so that we can do some business for our basic livelihood.

While you may still look for work from home, I am here waiting along with all others like me, depending on the IT Park, to work for home….!!

 Disclaimer:  this is an attempt to write a soliloquy of an imaginary character and any resemblance to any person, place or incident is coincidence.

The Great Exodus of 2021

In one of my blogs, written in 2020, “Indian Workforce Management - Challenges and Opportunities” (https://sharathgkashyap.blogspot.com/2020/06/  Also can refer in Archive Section – June 2020)  one of the key challenges foreseen for organizations in the new working norm was talent retention and attrition.

Now in 2021, we are witnessing a major shift of people across spectrum. Most of the industries have got impacted and implementing counter measures to tackle it. Nevertheless, what lead to this situation, which we can call it as Great Exodus of 2021, will it be remembered in future like other similar historical events?

2020 also saw larger number of appeals and requests from job seekers. Open the social networking sites and it was very common to find “comment for better reach”, it was a scene which we never witnessed till then, people supporting each other to find jobs and flow of empathy.

While such posts have waned now, in contrast, 2021 is seeing job posts been made viral with “comment for better reach “. There are large number of job openings and employers are sharing it all over asking people to join them.

So what led to this drastic change, which is also making headlines in many Medias?

Remember, large number of changes among people in any organization, can also lead to fundamental changes in its culture, market perception, knowledge bank which can impact in long run.

Here is a snapshot of possible reasons leading to this high attrition, collated from different sources across different segments of industry.

Backlog of Resignations, exploding now: Its normal every year for people to exit and every company had its own % of attrition. In 2020 there was a dip in % of exits due to various reasons. People who wanted to quit had held back their resignations and now resigning. Thus in 2021, the previous year’s pending cases + the current year exit % has created double impact.

Peer Influence and References: one of the biggest influencers for individuals is their friends and colleagues. When they see their peers resigning for better reasons, it’s natural to get influenced and also they can get referred by their friends in new companies. Even those passive job seekers are getting pulled away.

How I was treated Vs Other Company treated them: did employees feel connected to the organization? Did they perceive they were treated with fairness? How was company promoted in the world of business network? What are the differential factors of the people management between their company and competitors? What are the benefits and perks given, all such factors of 2020 are bearing fruits now and may stimulus the thought process.

Change in Priority of People: Covid has influenced people in various ways. We can see change in priorities in their life. It’s not only job anymore. While some have moved spiritual way, few have opted to change their work domain and many relocated to their native villages / towns to be with family. Nevertheless there is big set of people who are also inclined towards making more money   and opting for such opportunities. All this changed perception, post pandemic is fueling exits.

War for Talent: working from any part of the country as given the flexibility for companies to attract talent, virtually. Companies are doing everything to ensure they have best resources since the order booking of their projects and business are full and need to ensure on time delivery of projects and services. This spike in demand has benefited the candidates to shop multiple offers and counter offers.  If a candidate is having three offers that means in two companies there will be increase in offer decline % as candidate can finally opt one.

If all, why not me: it’s also a psychological impact, like mass hysteria when everyone surrounding is trying something new, why not me. This emotion is also leading the passive / inactive employees to try on what is there in market.

 Like every wave, even this will subside, however what impact this exodus will be making on the organizations is something time to reveal, which will lead to a new article, for some other day.

 Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussions in various industry forums, talking to people in different domains,  reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain.

Memoir of a Masala Dosa

As you enter the premises, you find a big arena for people to stand and sip their coffees or spend time with friends. Though the actual sitting area is deep inside, the aroma of the masala dosa hits your nostrils along with bustling sounds of cups and tumblers been tossed around to serve pooris, pakodas, and coffee to the never-ending crowd of customers and occasional brass bell rings, to remind people who have not collected their second order yet.

While you are busy buying the food tokens or waiting for your turn to be served, it was a normal thing to find so many known faces in the restaurant. Your teachers, local shop owners, neighbors, classmates and their family members, budding politicians, all busy, in relishing their reddish colored dosa, with a smile at you, which says yeah, even I am here …!!

There was no mobile phone craze yet and a symbol of that, there were boards all over – Please do not read newspaper here (indirectly asking people to vacate the place once done, allowing others to sit)

Now, if you can close your eyes for a second and recall this scenes, you can imagine a normal hotel with crowd being served with good food, however if you are from the old Bengaluru, like me, mostly you will end up in your imagination in Malabar restaurant, in Balepete area for sure.  

While watching numerous food vlogs in social media and while being locked up inside, famished for some different foods, memory took back to this nostalgic era which is difficult to put in words, but let me try – this is about a restaurant which had become a part of life in various occasions .

In early years of my memory, I can recall a tiny hotel, with Mangalore red tiles roof, self-serving, south Indian food and occasions of visiting it with family and later it got transformed to a proper restaurant, yet without losing the attraction.

Those who have lived in Bengaluru from many decades will recall the charm of the city, its people, traffic less roads and the relationship we had built with numerous people and iconic places.

This is one such place which served as multiple reasons.

This was not only a place for serving food, but also meeting for many friends for morning coffee, youngsters to exchange ideas, shoppers to fill their hungry stomach after walking around in the bustling roads of chickpet.  It was also a place where many shop owners take their visiting friends or loyal customers for lunch or snacks.

The cashier at counter had become a familiar persona, we used to have instant smile seeing him. He enquires about elders at home and convey his wishes, which is the bonding of interacting for years with generations of same family. Same goes with people serving food at counters.

When you enter the serving area (it was self-service mode – take your food, find your place) it was a sure bet to see at least one or two familiar faces and it was never an -eat alone situation.

Though they had various food items, the reddish color roasted crispy Masala Dosa embedded with red garlic chutney inside, along with potato stuffing and married to green chutney was the most selling food item and a must have. The uniqueness was the distinctive combination of its look, taste and aroma, which I am not trying to explain, since can’t find words matching it.

There were numerous sign boards indirectly asking people to relish the food and not to overspend time. I used to wonder how they can instruct customers like this, but it did serve a purpose - Eat & let others eat.. !!

Whenever we had close relatives visiting Bengaluru, it was on their personal agenda to ensure to visit this place at least once before going back and same with all those friends to have lunch after busy shopping in chickpet and avenue road.

This is not only a story of a dosa or malabar hotel, but how a place had woven the entire neighborhood as a common reason.  

After serving for 73 years, this good old eatery was closed few years ago, yet another iconic place we lost.

Sitting at home in this new era which is forcing people to go on isolation and learning new norms called social distancing, imagining this past glory brings back those golden days memoir which created social friendliness, recording it in this blog, treasuring for future.

Closing Note:  for some of the readers, from the old Bengaluru neighborhood, in place of Malabar, you can replace with Udupi Krishna Bhavan, Megha Darshini, Ramakrishna Lunch Room, Gokul etc.,  I am sure the story may remain same, and thankfully some have survived still.

Samosa Treat

 Part 1

Obviously, I will not miss this time…!! This Saturday is my treat for sure, I declared with confidence. Every week it was a practice we had followed – one of us will treat the gang with samosa and everyone will take turns to sponsor it.

In 90’s , this is what the high school kids could afford when the pocket money (normally in single digit) was considered as luxury.

As we were ending our tenth grade, it was a practice we had adopted to make our school life memorable (and to get some free food in that context). For many weeks I had enjoyed this free samosa from our school canteen shop and this week It was my turn to spend and treat others.

Afterall It was testing time to ensure I adhere to the commitment, otherwise friends would have tagged me, since I had ensured to enjoy free food without fail from all. I was also considered one who does not spend money but ensured to join for free food, every time, hence I wanted to avoid that comment again. 

With aim of Saturday treat, I started collecting all my available savings (normally,coins given away as tip when brought household materials) and had fallen short of another 20 rupees. It was matter of prestige since I had already declared and did not want to be teased by friends.

Any middle-class boy would have felt his heart while asking for money and it was considered big culpability to put burden on parents for such things however, I didn’t have option hence ended up pleading parents asking for 20 rupees.

With great beseeching, somehow, I got it and was overwhelmed with the fact that I will ensure to keep my commitment with friends.

 

Part 2

Saturday early morning, in the winter, I started towards school, ensuring I have kept the money and felt richer. Since I did not have cycle to pedal, it was routine to walk down in the neighborhoods and reach school.

As I was walking down, found this young student, residing few streets away, sitting in a park shivering in cold. I had seen this jovial, ever smiling boy whenever crossed paths, however today I felt he had not slept previous night and was looking worried. With concern and curious to know, enquired him what happened. He was uncomfortable to speak to me, however I persuaded him.

I am in trouble, he said. Since my parents could not afford for my schooling, I was admitted to a Government Hostel in neighboring district which provides free education and accommodation. I was supposed to be there by today, but I am still here wondering what to do.

I did not understand the context, asked him what is the issue? With tears in his eyes, he said – my parents are daily coolies and in lot of financial debt, that is why they have put me in free hostel.  I was given 50 rupees to reach that place and I know even for that; they took loan from a neighbor.

Unfortunately, when I reached bus stand, someone pick-pocketed it and now I am not sure what to do. I feel guilt to go back home and put them under more debts. I will also get beaten up surely, but I do not have options. I had walked back from bus stand and stayed in this park, wondering what next.

I felt remorse for his situation, felt empathic for him and did not know what to say, realizing I had 50 rupees in my pocket. I knew this money can give him lot of comfort but same time If do not treat, friends will make fun of me.  With great dilemma, I gave away that money and asked him to reach his hostel on time and continue his studies.

When I reached my friends, I told them I had given away the money for a good purpose without revealing the details of that neighborhood kid. However, most of them felt I was lying to avoid spending money on them. Though few appreciated, others mocked me, called names, and asked not to enjoy free food always. I was humiliated, hence reacted, words led to severe arguments and my relationship with them ended thereafter since I could not treat them with a humble samosa.

Life moved on…..

 

Part 3

 

In 2020, I was working as supervisor in a resort, leading a simple life with family. As the hospitality industry went down, due to the pandemic, I lost job.

I tried approaching all my contacts, friends but it was difficult time for all. When reached some old contacts, they didn’t even pick calls. I also uploaded my resume in social media and spending days searching and updating my status which was liked by many and commented for better reach, yet no luck. 

On a fruitful day, I got a call to attend an interview in online mode. I was not able to recall the application for this company nor aware of any contacts working.

As I joined the video call, a bright young executive spoke to me. He asked basic details and checked if I am interested to work in his company’s guest relation wing as Head. I was surprised, though I am from hospitality industry, offering Head position in this tough time, could not believe my luck.

I instantly agreed to it and next few days I was back in job with handsome salary and life was on track. However, I was always curious to know what made this company to select me for this salary and job and was waiting for the opportunity to clear the doubts.

In months, the situation was normal, and we resumed our work in office premises. Met many people and the young executive who took my interview. After initial pleasantries and work updates, I dared to check – Sir, may I know how you decided I am in suitable for this job, although I do not recall applying in this company...?

He had a laugh and continued with a smile – when you have helped me in the crucial phase on my life, without knowing me, I knew I can trust you, when I know you.

This puzzled me further, he clarified – I am the boy whom you helped to reach hostel to continue my education. Just because you gave those 50 rupees, I joined on time and completed my education through those free hostels and scholarships, got into a company, and eventually became an entrepreneur.

When your profile was shared in social media for better reach, I could recognize you and felt this is the opportunity for me to say - Thank You!!

Life is not a white paper allowing YOU to canvas it, as you wish. It is always associated with people painting it with different emotions, feelings, and colors, mostly treating us in unexpected time and circumstances . isn’t it?

 

Disclaimer – all characters & situations in this story are imaginary and if any resemblance, it is just coincidence.

 

Destiny

This is such a fertile land, why do you want to spoil this, agreed you need money, but this idea of yours is not right, think again, friends advised Thrupta.

Being from agricultural family, he owned two acres of land, came to him from ancestors. His father was a well known farmer, for making use of innovative techniques and growing variety of crops. He had high hopes of his son also leading his path and serve mother earth. This village has fertile land, is famous for fruits which had good demand in market. 

The fast growth of a nearby IT city had fueled the demand for real estate in outskirts and was fast approaching this hamlet, though most natives were reluctant to give away their properties and still wanted to pursue the traditional work they loved, farming.

Thrupta, initially had lot of interest in developing his farm, and invested his time and efforts. It had variety of fruits and trees in additional to the main crops. A banyan tree, may be hundreds of years now, had become home to numerous birds which had made it has shelter for generations.

As time elapsed, he heard of news on how the demand for land has gone up and people are making quick money. Though his village was still far away to get into the real-estate swirl, his eagerness to make quick money fueled by ambitions to lead luxury life made him to search for suitable opportunity for his land.

There were heated debates in family. None of them agreed to this idea of giving away land for another purpose. There was emotional attachment to the land, trees, and soil which had fed them for generation but Thrupta was reluctant and wanted to explore the options. He fought and made everyone silent.

He had many friends working in different professions in city but still retained their land in village. Even they advised him not to do such things and instead can try their method if wanted to make additional money but couldn’t convince him.

Finally, Thrupta found a developer, not very well known but had good project plans. The deal was made to develop the property into an apartment building on joint venture basis. The builder convinced him that people will be interested to buy such properties, as it is in outskirts of the bustling city, had serene environment of farmlands in surrounding.

Neighbouring farmers tried convincing Thrupta not to sell. They tried explaining various schemes introduced by Government for agriculture sector which he can make use for higher income, which they had succeeded. However, he was inspired by the big amount the builder had shown on the paper, by selling the flats how much money they both can make.

By taking a minimum token advance, he finally allowed machines to enter the property. The agreement was to sell flats in joint venture and landowner will get good share of that. Hence, he didn’t get big amount as advance.

Family members were in tears when the land excavation started, tearing the fertile land in to dump of soil.  The big banyan tree, which had tested times for decades, finally got grounded. Hundreds of birds screamed for help as the little ones got crushed along with their nests.

Next few weeks went fast, the earth mover machines mined the land, digging and later filling it with cement debris to make foundation.

By than the news of a new type of virus intruding humans became a major issue across the world. Countries were sealed down, and employees could work wherever they are. This led to mass exodus of individuals to their natives and the IT city lost its charm.

Hundreds of properties became available for rent in city and new bookings got cancelled. As per new study, lakhs of people had decided not to return to this big city and rather will settle in their natives or smaller towns to lead peaceful life.

With this, the builder of Thrupta property went bankrupt and dumped the project. Though he promised to restart the project later date, there was no hope of it, thus leaving a land full of cement debris and dust, with no trace of the fertile soil it had, once. It was irrecoverable change. 

His friends, working in city returned to village and started cultivation as full time. They were happy of being safe with family and having something to work on during lockdown. Luckily, the monsoon was good, and crops grew well.

There was a big regret, in everyone for the destiny Thrupta got in to but it was too late.

Today, resting in hospital bed, in an isolation ward, after being infected with new virus waves,  Thrupta is thinking was it right thoughts to lose land or wrong decisions to make money, or why he lost both. Is it the curse of mother earth?

Was the decisions of Thrupta lead to the destiny or the destiny made him to take decisions...

These thoughts were disturbed when his phone beeped with message from family - His friends from neighbouring farmlands have arranged money for his medical treatment….  Do not worry and Take Care.

Pigeon, Cat and Perceptions

Part 1:

On a summer day, while playing cricket, found this pigeon lying on ground, getting intruded by ants. It had fallen from a tower nearby and injured a wing, looking terrified on what next.

Feeling sad for its state and did not want it to get feasted by other animals and insects, got it home, applied turmeric to the injured part and kept in a temporary shelf.

It took some time for the bird to get adjusted in the new nest. Not sure what to feed, attempted with millets and rice, it worked. Every day used to feed with these, and bird started recovering from its injury though it could not fly.

It got adopted to the home, responding to our calls, walking around in balcony and terrace. Whenever left alone in terrace, other pigeons used to visit this peculiar friend, can’t fly but staying with humans.

After few weeks, it seemed to have forgotten it is a bird and always running or walking around (may be due to internal injury or broken wings did not support to fly)

In between got two more pigeons (thanks to friends who called whenever they found them in distress), got it treated and It flew away, but this one stayed back.

Several months later, observed a cat roaming around residence and had to safeguard this bird from it.

We were always careful of not allowing bird to venture into balcony or terrace alone and used to chase the cat away whenever found nearby.

However, on an unfortunate day, it barged inside and took this bird away by grabbing in neck. Hearing the commotions, rushed to the scene, only to find few feathers and a cat running away with a pigeon in distance.

It was such a heartbreaking moment, after saving it from ants and seeing it got killed by cat.

Thus, the dislike towards cats started. Whenever found one used to chase it away, even if it’s sleeping peacefully in some shade …….!!

Part 2:

It was many years, after the above incident happened, one evening, a guest walked inside the house from open door without any fear. Surprised at its gutsy nature, tried to chase it away, but it stood grounded and did not bother to run like a Tom from the famous Tom and Jerry series...!! Yes, we had a cat at home…!!

This cat was very well used to human nature. Though had aversion towards the animal due to the earlier experience, the level of hatred had reduced due to the time lapsed.

It made some space in the compound as its shelter and depended on us for food. Out of kind started feeding and it became a habit. It used to walk in by breakfast time, gets its part of food, roam around and in the evening back on time for dinner. It became friendly, playful, and eventually became a pet for all of us and we took great care of it due to its adorable nature with us.

After several years, at usual morning time it did not turn up. We felt it must have ventured somewhere and will return in a while. However, the tragedy struck when a neighbor informed, he saw a dead cat in next street, and it was looking like ours.

Holding back the tears, hoping it will be untrue, rushed to the spot, just to see the animal lying there, with bites at neck.  For some odd reasons it had ventured out of the safe compound and had got attacked by street dogs.

It took several days for all of us to let go the mood of losing a pet animal in a tragic way which it did not deserve. An animal which was hated few years ago and chased away, had pushed us to upsetting feelings.

Part 3

It is interesting to observe on how our perception changes towards various incidents in life. Either our likes or dislikes continues, till the feeling drifts away in memory and gets replaced with different experience.

You can replace the pigeon and cat in this story with anything in life – animal, place, people, or thing, we will have several such stories within us to recall and reflect.

Life is all about the perception we develop, to like or dislike, isn’t it…?!!

Calendar 2020

When I was being sold in a busy traffic junction in Bengaluru, little I knew that I will be witnessing one of the most historic moments in recent timeline.

Yes, I am calendar 2020, a year which many generations will remember, for whatsoever reason.

The number 2020 was always an inquisitiveness from many decades. I know people use to plan their life, career around it. Lot of dreams on how the year will be, what we would’ve achieved etc, mostly due to the attractive numerical it was.

While I was getting printed also, people at press were talking about their new year plans, Olympic Games at Tokyo, various crisis across world and possible solutions for it and was exciting for me as well.

When I landed up on this wall in this middle class family living room, I became part of their everyday celebrations and chaos. Saw their planning, joy, sorrow, celebrations, trying to adopt to the evolving lifestyle etc.

It was a small family, planning everything, saving for future, spending within budget, with weekend chats and inching towards assumed progressiveness.  The head of family was working in MNC, with little time for home, trying to manage few friends, occasionally.

In month of February and later in March beginning I was watching news from my wall in living room and the word Covid / Corona became a repeated as day passed. Initially I use to hear in international bulletin and then it became a global news, before becoming headlines in India.

The crisis hit us by March and the lock-down was announced.

Initial few days I was confused with all these new words – lock-down, seal down, quarantine, but later got adjusted to it as if I had lived with it all these years.

I also saw the way this family evolved, from initial anxiety to sprouting with new outlook for life.

During the lock-down period from March to May, these people were completely sealed inside their house. While he was busy in his laptop as Work from Home, rest were watching news channels, which were showing the cases like cricket scores..!!

Than the normalcy set in. They started watching long forgotten marriage CD’s, family function photos. Installed all types of apps to connect with family and friends through net.

Online classes gained popularity, from hobbies to yoga to spiritual, many unexplored areas were tried. I had never imagined this virtual world, family get-togethers, multiple batches of friends connecting through video calls , from school  to college to ex-colleagues , varieties of recipes been tried and photos of it getting shared all over.

Reading habit was back and not to forget literature on various Ayurveda based immunity boosters..!!

I also saw kids (and elders) enjoying the good old Doordarshan serials and parents explaining their versions of watching TV, 30 years ago.

Many people also got impacted, lost their jobs, shops were closed, and people relocated back to their towns and villages.

Pollution was all time low, wild animals started venturing to city and dolphins were back in Ganga..!! A glimpse on what will happen if men vanished from earth.   

It also had the humanitarian side - volunteers helping the needy, giving hopes of humanity, still exist (or relived).

From June onwards, people started venturing out, with masks, gloves and getting essential things to home. But I also heard numerous stories of people getting affected due to virus and some loosing life.

Than things went fast, people started to resume business, factories. New business possibilities came across with encouragement for Self-Resilient India. Agriculture gained as thousands of acres under-cultivated lands was back to life, thanks to people migrated to natives.

People celebrated their festivals, participated in elections, and started long drives with street food … life has moved on.

This year has taught great lessons to these humans, on being connected and need of isolation, introspection of self to the care for the world, need to be present in real world and importance of virtual. The usage of modern technologies without losing the cultural heritage.

As I am ending my journey in a day, the most important observation is the spirited mankind, which keeps moving irrespective of any catastrophic eventualities.  This is the sprit which has kept this species alive from thousands of years.

While I welcome my Successor to this wall … I am 2020, a year not to forget, soon….!!