Saud Bahwan Group - Feel Good Factors

1. The Saud Bahwan Group is known to be the best employer in the middle east. It employs nearly 11,000 people and the annual turnover is around 5 billion US dollars. It is a trading company dealing with a lot of brands, all of which are market leaders. These are Toyota, Ford, Kia, Man, Hino, Komatsu and Thermoking to name a few. The company buys, stocks and sells products belonging to these brands. It has a very strong service and spares backup owing to which it has 50 % of the market share in passenger vehicle sales. It has 63 branches all over Oman with the aim of having a branch within the reach of every Omani resident. The sales, service and spares in each vehicle category are distinct profit centres. The company has well established and tested systems and procedures. It lays great emphasis on customer as well as employee satisfaction.

2. I have completed a week at the Saud Bahwan Group and am enumerating some feel good factors which I have experienced :

(a) An officer from the HR department along with a vehicle was

present at the airport to receive me. This is done for every new appointee.

(b) I was taken straight to my flat which had brand new furniture and furnishings. The caretaker was there to explain the functioning of various gadgets and to hand over the keys.

(c) The following items were kept in the kitchen which did not form part of the inventory :

(i) Tea rations viz : Sugar, tea leaves and milk pkts.
(ii) Two bottles of mineral water.
(iii) A can of ‘Mountain Dew’
(iv) A packet of biscuits.
(v) One steel ‘thali’, two ‘katoris’ and a glass.

(d) Home delivery of packed food (all three meals) for one week from

the nearest single officers mess (there are kitchens catering to nearly 4000 single guys)

(e) Assistance in paperwork related to obtaining the civil card, opening of Bank account etc.

(e) Provision of advance of salary in cash on the first working day.

(f) A structured and well organised induction programme.

3. That’s it for now. Will post more experiences in due course.

Muscat Musings II

Positives

1. Neat & clean environment (voted second cleanest city after Singapore).
2. Well planned city with excellent roads and lot of greenery.
3. No flies or mosquitoes.
4. No power cuts.
5. Clean drinking water round the clock.
6. No traffic jams.
7. No stray dogs (or any other quadrupeds !!)
8. No beggars.
9. ‘Feel’ of India – 80% expats of which most are Indians.
10. Strict implementation of rules and regulations.
11. Incorruptible officials in public life.
12. Strong economy – hardly any effect of recession.

Negatives

1. Some items prohibitively expensive if converted to rupee terms.
2. Telephone calls very expensive – a 3 Rial mobile card gives only 10 minutes of talk time (ie for nearly Rs 400/-)
3. If you don’t have a car – you are dead ! Public transport system not good as everyone is rich and has a car.
4. Driving classes expensive (4 – 5 Rials per hour ) and getting a driving licence is a pain. If you fail in the first attempt (which is a likely scenario) the next date allotted may be only after a month.
5. Crossing of the road (any road) can be fatal as vehicles regularly ply at speeds in excess of 100 km per hour.

Muscat - First Impressions

1. I have started the ‘fourth innings’ of my career with the Saud Bahwan Group on 15 December 2008. I have not been able to catch up with my pending mails and I know that a lot of you guys must be wondering what’s up with me ! Well, the company has an induction programme which they conduct in right earnest and I am in the thick of it till 24th December after which I will be posted to my department. In addition to this, me and some other new appointees have been busy with a series of medicals - (company medical and then the all important ‘Ministry Medical’) After the report is found OK we will be required to get our fingerprints registered with the Ministry and then we get the ‘Civil Card’. This is the most important document without which one is NOT eligible to get even a telephone connection. The Govt here maintains a database of all the nationals as well as the expatriates. Commit a misdemeanour or a breach and one can be traced in no time and then it is cooling time in the clinker – no questions asked. Added to all this was the mandatory filling up of various forms etc. I am now ‘Code No. 21217’ in the company records.

2. With all this happening at a furious pace, I would say it is too early for me to form an opinion about this place. The one thing which struck me first was the fantastic condition of the roads lined with greenery and flowers and the speed at which vehicles ply on them. Despite the official limit of 100 kmph (and 120 kmph on some roads) everyone meticulously follows the rules of the road and is very disciplined. No honking and no overtaking – just follow the guy in front and make liberal use of ‘flashers’. Otherwise there would be a pileup at every crossing.

More later !!

Parting Shot

Folks,

Today is my last day of service in the Bank and I am being relieved 'at close of business hours' !! Being a vehement proponent of the fact that Security Officers should only be doing 'Security Management', particularly in these 'terrible' times, I have penned a couple of lines on this occasion :

" कह चले हम अलविदा RBI को सथियो ,
अब तुम्हारे हवाले 'झाडू-पोचा' और 'trolley' साथियो "

PS : To be sung to the tune of the famous song from the movie "Haqeeeqat"
PPS : My friends who believe that we should take on whatever additional tasks are dished out to us may find this post 'offensive'. My apologies !!

Lungar Gupp L

This happens to be the 50th (and also the last !) post in the ' Lungar Gupp' series. I feel that it would be inappropriate for me to 'Gupp' further as I will cease to be a part of the 'Lungar' soon.

1. Faux Pas. I was in Delhi recently when I happened to read an unflattering article in the HT supplement 'Lutyen's Delhi' dated 29 Nov 2008 (Saturday) regarding the hassles of the common man in getting soiled notes exchanged for clean ones at RBI. The last para was particularly startling. Click on the article to enlarge it :

2. Promotion Fever. It seems that the ball is in motion as regards the promotion interviews for Grade 'B' to 'C' in our cadre is concerned. Capt Sudershan just told me that his particulars have also been called for. Looks like we may have 6 new AGMs (in case the vacancy created by my leaving is also taken into account !). This was the general topic under discussion when I visited the P&S Cell at New Delhi - Col Roy (who was a bit under the weather) was in command.

3. Posting - Lady Officer. A newly recruited lady security officer who was posted to New Delhi has achieved the 'impossible' - she now stands posted to Bangalore and is likely to report on 15 Dec 2008. She managed to convince the powers that be (either you convince me or I will convince you !!) that she should be posted to Bangalore.

Lungar Gupp - RIP !!!

New Management Theory - MBI

Move over all ye ‘Business Schools’ and ‘Management Gurus’ – a brand new management theory is being propounded right here !!

1. Charles Sennewald in his book ‘Effective Security Management’ has mentioned some ‘Jackass Management Traits’ (which have nothing to do with Security Management) at the end of the book. They are hilarious scenarios of typical traits of ‘mismanagement’ exhibited by the top managers in various organizations. These traits cover most of the ‘idiosyncratic’ oddities displayed by managers in any organization. Well, the new management theory that I am going to describe does not even fit into the ‘Jackass Traits’. And remember, this is not even remotely akin to ‘MBO’, which we all know is ‘Management by Objectives’.

2. MBI stands for ‘Management by Idiots’. I am sure you all must have come across this scenario at some point of time in your careers. If you are lucky enough NOT to have endured these traits in your bosses – wait awhile – your time will come ! In MBI, the top boss deliberately and knowingly installs ‘Idiots’ on important chairs. These ‘dumb characters’ are grossly unfit for the appointments which they hold and as a consequence chaos reigns supreme in all facets of office life. Why would a top boss commit such a folly, one may ask ? Well, this is done to ensure that there is absolutely no resistance from any quarter, to the ‘whims and fancies’ of the boss. His writ thus runs large and ‘thy will be done’ – Amen! All the idiots are ‘Yes Men’ of the highest order.

3. Bosses who resort to the MBI style of management have some typical traits. They are professional nincompoops who suffer from a massive sense of insecurity. They are mortally scared of the fact that people may NOT do their bidding which, of course, is a totally unfounded fear. They are suspicious of everyone else and trust nobody except for members of the ‘dumb inner circle’. They encourage ‘back-biting’ by lending a patient ear to the tales that the ‘idiots’ carry. They will not tolerate even a mild suggestion from anyone unless it has been duly endorsed by one of the ‘idiots’. In fact everyone is told to route everything through these ‘dumbos’. A façade of ‘every thing is in order’ is carefully maintained. Complaints are promptly bounced back from where they originate and all cases of impropriety/indiscipline are brushed under the carpet. The boss is just not willing to listen to any voice which is raised against the incompetence of any idiot. In fact he eulogises the non-existent achievements of these dumb characters. Such bosses, more often than not, have double standards and do NOT practice what they preach. They only do the preaching – practicing is for others !

4. The ‘idiots’ also have some peculiar traits – chief among them being the ability to sing paens about the boss at the drop of a hat. They will leave no opportunity in singing thus, openly, much to the embarrassment of the people at large. The boss’s magnanimity (of which only they are the recipients !), large-heartedness, vision, professional expertise (which is visible to only a select few !), and transparency are often the topics of praise. This blatant flattery is evident at all gatherings (be it official forums or private audiences), leaving everyone else fidgeting on their seats. Another trait is their fantastic ability to ‘lay eggs’ over any case which lands up on their desks. Procrastination is the name of the game and they believe that if a case can be delayed long enough then there is no need to do anything about it !! Yet another trait is the constant game of one-upmanship which they play against one another. In their efforts to earn ‘brownie’ points from the boss all other work takes a backseat. In case one espies a sullen visage on one of them, it means that some other idiot has beaten him to the punch in scoring points with the boss – leaving him to ponder what HE must do the next day.

5. So how do you like the ‘MBI’ theory ? Have you come across such a scenario in your professional life ? Count yourself lucky in case you haven’t. This reminds me of an Urdu couplet :

“ हर शाख पे उल्लू बैठा है,

अंजामें गुलिस्तान क्या होगा ?"

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in the Paltan

My paltan (6/8 GR) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee of raising at Dehradun from 02 to 05 November 2008. It coincided with the Battle Honour (Naghun) day which fell on 04 November. I visited the paltan after 21 years and met a lot of officers with whom I had served at various locations. It was a memorable event made possible by the present lot of officers under the able leadership of Col. Ganapathy. It felt like home-coming and all of us were transported back in time. It was fun to watch old timers behave like kids with everyone pulling each others' leg. I am glad that I decided to make the trip to Dehradun for this event with my better half. In retrospect, all I can say is that I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. The following pics will tell the story better :

(click on any photo to enlarge it )

Self and Maj DB with the Diamond Jubilee Trophy

Entry in the old visitors' book dated 09 July 1978 -

reporting for the first time.

My Record of Service in the paltan !
At the 'Bar'
Maj DB, Col A.K.Mehta, Col Naithani
and self in the mess

Col Chow, self and Maj DB at the 'Barakhana'

A group photo of the old gang (Khanabal)

Jaiwant, Naithani, Brig Mehta, Col Bones,

self and Maj DB

Signing the 'book' at the Quarterguard !

Chow, Anil, self, Ashwini and Jaiwant at the QG.

A group photo with the Officers & JCOs

Special Sainik Sammelan.

Col V.Ganapathy, the present 'old man' !!

(Full marks to him and his team for the excellent show !)

Lungar Gupp XXXXIX

1. Interviews for AGMs. It is understood that the much awaited interviews for promotion from Grade 'B' to 'C' may be happening soon. Nobody is willing to hazard a guess as to when they will actually take place. I think it may happen towards the end of December or even in the New Year. This is MY guess !!

2. Cab Woes ! For those of you who go to Delhi and are in need of a taxi - never, ever go for the newly introduced Call Taxi service (tele 43434343 ). I nearly missed my flight to Guwahati on 06 Nov thanks to this so called 'high tech' service. The cab never turned up and on complaining the driver had the audacity to tell me that my 'servant' had cancelled the service. Of all the lame excuses this one surely takes the cake.

3. Varying VOFs. Visiting Officers Flats at various places evoke different reactions every time one visits them. The New Delhi VOF at Sarojininagar now has AMs manning the reception round the clock. The same place was in a pathetic condition less than a year ago. The VOF at Guwahati has an attendant who is related to Houdini - always performing the disappearing act and not to be seen when required. At Kolkata everything is fine as regards the decor and facilities are concerned, however be prepared to ignore the hygiene aspect. Moreover, there is no market anywhere nearby so one is at the mercy of the culinary expertise of the staff posted thereat.

4. Update !! I just got a mail from Sumit Upreti. He seems to be doing pretty well for himself. He is the Head of Security for an MNC emerald mine at Zambia and is enjoying the challenging assignment.

5. CPP & PSP Exam. The said exams were held on 01 Nov 2008 at USI Club, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi. A good number of participants turned up for the exam. I managed to reach the venue just as the test was about to begin. Capt Khan from RBI, Kolkata was there taking the test for PSP and a surprise participant was S.S. Raman (wonder how many more certifications he is aspiring for ?). Well, here's wishing both of them all the best !!

Dont Write Me Off - Yet !!

An interesting event occured yesterday ( I am on leave from today till the 9th of Nov - enjoying my last LFC trip) while gossipping in the office. A colleague of mine asked me if I would be meeting mutual friends/acquaintances at Delhi ( I am planning to stop over for a day over there). I remarked that I would make all efforts to meet as many guys I know as possible as I dont when I will get the next opportunity to do so. Then I said that I was looking forward to the forthcoming Security Managers' Conference at Mumbai where I would get to meet all our friends from the cadre. Whereupon my friend interjected with alacrity that why should I be attending the said conference as I was about to leave the Bank. For a moment I was nonplussed at this line of thought - I still have more than a month to go ( 12 Dec 2008 to be precise) - and my friends have already written me off and are busy making their own plans. Well, so much for unity of the cadre, brotherhood, so called friendship. camaraderie etc, etc, et all.

I had to rudely remind my friend that I have not retired as yet and the option to reconsider my decision is STILL open ( I have already received feelers to that effect !)

Who needs enemies when one has such fair weather friends ??

Strive for Balance in your Life ....

An insightful extract from a speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola)

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four Balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.

You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life........."

HAPPY DIWALI !

This is to acknowledge the best wishes of all my friends who have sent me SMSs and e-mails on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. You feelings are heartily reciprocated. May the festival of lights bring happiness, prosperity and peace to you and all your loved ones. Happy Diwali !!

Lungar Gupp XXXXVIII

1. Reporting after Leave. I have reported for duty today after being away for 22 days. Most of this time was spent at Dehradun with a small trip to Delhi included. I had gone to take one of the papers I had missed for my MA (Previous) exam which was scheduled for 29 Sep 08. After that I fell sick (sic !!) and am now at Bangalore being 'fit' to resume duty.

2. Newer Climes. I have been receiving frantic calls from all my friends and colleagues as to where I am going after leaving the Bank. Well, this is to inform all you curious busybodies that I am joining the automotive division of SB Group at Oman and will be based at Muscat. I am planning to join them by mid December.

3. New Recruits. I am told that only four newly recruited Security Officers have joined the Bank as of today. While I was on leave I got a call from a lady officer who wanted to report to Bangalore office instead of New Delhi where she has been posted owing to domestic reasons. Lets hope she succeeds in her endeavour though I have serious doubts about this issue judging by past experience.

4. AGM's Posts. It is believed that out of the five posts of AGMs which have been recently sanctioned the breakup would be as : SC -1, ST-1, Gen-3. As per the grapevine interviews may be held next month.

5. Footnote. One positive fallout of my leaving the Bank is that one vacancy in the post of AGM in our cadre will accrue on 31 Dec 2008. As per the panel year 'funda' some old horses may run again in Jan/Feb 2009 . Best of luck guys !!

Nostalgia !!

I had gone to Delhi for a couple of days (02 and 03 Oct 2008) to meet some old friends and associates. On 2nd I met Mr David Cresswell at the Hotel Crowne Plaza, Gurgoan where he was busy conducting the second Security Management Stage I course for Security Professionals from Cairn India. It was a pleasure meeting him after more than six years. On the 3rd I met a lot of colleagues at RBI, New Delhi and a dear old friend from my school days. Mr Rohit Varma, who is a VP in an apparel company at New Jersey was in Delhi for a business trip. I met him after nearly 30 years and it was a nostalgia trip catching up on all that we have been through in our respective lives.

Rohit and myself at Moti Mahal Restuarant, Malcha Marg, New Delhi

Rohit Varma - as dapper as ever !

David is busy checking up his e-mails at TGI, Gurgaon.

Lungar Gupp XXXXVII

1. The Phone Has Not Stopped Ringing...... Since yesterday I am at my wits' end responding to queries regarding my putting up my papers. Most of them have been regarding where I am going next. Well, I have some good offers in hand and am likely to zero in to one of them in the next month or so. I was pleasantly surprised to get calls from even guys whom I have never met. The other query has been 'WHY'. To this I must elaborate that I am not happy with our job content in the Bank. Since Maintenance and Protocol form part of our jobs, these aspects are used as a flogging stick, more often than not, in order to put one down and our core function which is Security Management takes a backseat. In the present security scenario prevailing all over the country where we are literally having to 'live' with terrorism, I feel we should be focussing only on Security Management !! However, as opinion is divided on this topic even within the cadre, I dont see any radical changes being brought about in this direction. So that is why I am bidding 'adieu'.

2. The Young Turks are Coming ! We are about to get one of the newly recruited Security Officers. Maj Dinesh Sharma is reporting to RBI, Bangalore on 22 Sep 2008. A mail regarding his arrival on Sunday the 21st Sep by Rajdhani Express had details about his coach and berth numbers. So we have arranged to receive him at the Railway Station lest he gets disappointed on day one in the new environs. He will also be 'dined' in at my place in the evening.

3. Welcome Kit. A welcome kit for newly recruited Security Officers has been received from the Central Office containing two annexures, one spelling out the 'Duties of Security Officers' and the other detailing some 'Do's and Dont's'. I was asked by my office to add anything I felt was necessary to the already heavy dose of literature which I declined.

4. 'Et Tu Brute' ! I am told that some more resignations are in the offing in our cadre. Some youngsters have landed good jobs in MNCs I am told. To them I say "भाग ले बेटे " before you start getting second thoughts or succumb to peer/family pressure.

Calling it a DAY !!

This may come as a bit of surprise for those who do not know me well ! I have put in my papers for voluntary retirement from the Bank's service today. It is no secret that I am not happy with our job content and I feel that I have had enough now. Since I cannot change the system - leaving it is the next best thing rather than developing stress related diseases (which, mercifully, I am free from). I have requested the Bank to relieve me from my duties on 15 December 2008. Watch this space for what I do next. For the time being there is a pile of personal adm to attend to !!

Kottayam & Kochi Trip - Some more pics !!

Click on any photo to enlarge !!

Cheers to those who cheer for us !

And ....... to those who dont.
The eco-friendly loo at the Windsor Castle.
The shower section was an open air affair.
Took some getting used to !
Living with nature !! Windsor Castle.

The GM (Security) giving me a mouthful.

Sunset over KottayamAnchoring ! This is one of the four anchors of the

dredger 'Lord Willingdon' which was brought

from Scotland in 1938. She sank in an accident

in 1979 in the Arabian Sea. This anchor is at

Fort Kochi.

Programme on Security Management for Security Officers of Banks & Financial Instutions

CAB, Pune conducted the subject training programme from 03 to 05 Sep 2008 at the 'Windsor Castle Resort', Kodimatha, Kottayam, Kerela. Most of the participants were from Commercial Banks and RBI was represented by just three officers (Moudgil, Shailendranath and Dharmendra). The setting was 'out-of-this-world' in the sylvan surroundings at Kottayam. I had the opportunity to handle a session on Security Risk Management and Security Audit at this programme on 04 Sep. This programme was very well taken by all the participants. Shashi Nair and Alok Chaturvedi were instrumental in giving shape to this event. Following are some photos taken during the training programme :

A technical 'glitch' before the start of my session !
Maj Alok Chaturvedi performing the introduction.

Introducing the presentation !!

Relaxing with Alok and Nair after the session.

Kochi Trip

On my way to Kottayam, Kerela, where I was supposed to handle a session in a training programme conducted by CAB, Pune (more about that later !), I took a couple of days off to see the sights around Kochi. This was my first ever trip to Kerela and it was an amazing experience. It is rightly called 'God's Own Country'. Two days were enough to make me fall in love with that part of the country and I am definitely going to see more of it whenever I have the opportunity. It is a state full of lush greenery, exotic flora and fauna, neat and clean environment and is inhabited by polite and helpful locals. During the three days I spent at Kochi and Kottayam I did not see a single stray dog in the streets ! Even in the countryside where the highway has houses on either side for most part of the way one could see the blend of modernity and traditional ethos. No garbage piles were seen anywhere and it was remarkable NOT to see the sight of people relieving themselves unashamedly in the open. A high literacy level coupled with economic strength, in my opinion, are contributory factors to this state of bliss.

Kochi is the biggest city of Kerela and is the state's commercial capital. It consists of the mainland Ernakulam and the islands of Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Willingdon, Vypeen and Bolghatty. From ancient times this place has been an important hub for seafarers. Chinese, Arab, Dutch, Portugese and British seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi and left their imprints on the town. Various historical monuments enrich the heritage of Kochi. It is also called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' and is still the hub of trade in spices, oil, coffee and other cash crops.

Following are some photos which I clicked during the trip. Enjoy !!

The 'main land' skyline. A view from one of the islands.

A view of one of the islands from Ernakulam - the main land.

One tip of the man made Willingdon island which

is situated between the main land and Mattancherry.

The HQ Southern Naval Command is located here in

addition to other important government offices.

Fort Kochi beach.

Chinese Fishing Net at Fort Kochi. Such nets dot the

sea front and are a semi-mechanical means of

catching fish. This method is said to be brought to

India from China by traders of Kublai Khan's court.

They are used at high tide.

The Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD

is situated on the narrow Bolghatty island. Later

it was the seat of the British resident and is now a

hotel run by KTDC.

The clock outside theJewish Synagogue circa 1760 AD.

The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry island was

built in 1568 AD. It contains the great scrolls of the

Old Testament, the copper plates in which grants of

privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded,

hand painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. 'Sarah's Hand Embroidery' - a must visit for

exquisitely embroidered clothes and accessories.

And this is 'Aunty' Sarah - still busy with

her embroidery.

Jew Street near the Synagogue in Mattancherry.

It is full of shops selling artefacts and antiques.

The Dutch Cemetary near Fort Kochi. It is

maintained by the Church of South India (CSI).

Directions ?? It is best to go around the islands

on foot and enjoy the peaceful laidback feel.

The old world charm is evident in the foreign

influenced architecture of the buildings.

A war memorial dedicated to those who died in

the World War I outside St Francis Church.

This is where Vasco da Gama was initially buried.

'Fort Kochi' is now the residence of the Collector.

Many such tablets dedicated to ancient Dutch

soldiers and travellers are preserved at the

St Francis Church.

The famous voyager Vasco da Gama was initially

buried at the St Francis Church but his mortal

remains were taken to Lisbon, Portugal,

14 years later by his son.

The interiors of the famous St Francis Church.

This Protestant church was built by the Portugese

in 1510 AD and is said to be the oldest church

built by Europeans in India.

Local fishermen trying their luck in the backwaters !

The'anchor' near the beach at Fort Kochi

A ship (dredger) near the mouth of the Arabian Sea
Ferry service between the main land (Ernakulam)

and the islands which from part of Kochi. The

islands are connected to the mainland/other islands

by bridges also. This is a convenient and cheap mode

of transport. A trip from the mainland to Mattancherry

costs Rs 3.00 and lasts 15 minutes.

The Kochi Port Trust Office on Willingdon Island

(a man made island created from the material

dredged while deepening Kochi port).