Today’s CV incidence reminded me of the first time my company sent me to Thailand. That was to be the first time I was to travel outside India.
One fine morning when I walked into the office, at the gate itself I was told that the big boss wanted to meet me immediately. Very nervously I walked into his office straight away. He told me that I need going to Bangkok tomorrow and so I need getting my visa. He handed me the forms and asked me to fill it immediately. I did so. He then told me to go the Thai Consulate near South Point School. He explained the route and I nodded my head that I understood. He told me that I should tell the Consulate to give the visa today itself. I fully understood.
I took a taxi and reached the Thai Consulate. I submitted the form. After they accepted my form, I enquired about when I could get the visa. I was informed that it would take at least 3 days. So, I got into my absolute request mode and explained that I needed travelling tomorrow. The person at the counter was an elderly gentleman by the name of Mr. Ganguly. He told me that he would do his best. So, I came back to my office and straight went and explained the conversation to my big boss. He told me to go back to the Consulate and tell them it was very important for the company and thus they should give the visa today evening. He explained to me a number of techniques for convincing the Thai Consulate. I tried to memorize everything as anyway I have a serious challenge in learning something new.
I went back to the Consulate and met Mr. Ganguly and tried as many of the tricks I could remember as I was taught. Mr. Ganguly handled me very patiently for about 20 minutes. Ultimately, he told me something that I will never forget. He told me to go back to my office and tell my office that the Thai Consulate did not work for our company and thus would work according to their rules and regulations.
I got my visa on the third day in the afternoon. As the next possible Indian Airlines flight was on the next morning at 8:00AM, I was booked on that flight. I got my insurance papers and foreign exchange at around 8PM in the evening. I reached Jadavpur at about 9:30PM and on the way purchased a lot of vegetables and fish and chicken and Lactogen and whatever I could think of from the Jadavpur market. I had to leave Deepshree and Riya (who was about 3 months old) in Calcutta to fend for themselves for the period I was enjoying in Thailand.
Subhas Chandra Bose as the leader of INA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
CV INCIDENCE
One guy is in trouble and needs a job. I told him that I will send his CV to everyone I know who can try to help him. He said that he only wants a job in our company and thus needs my help. I told him that I have no such ability. However, he told me that I am very powerful. I thought there was a spelling mistake and he actually wanted to write “power fool”. So, I explained myself to him.
He has now written me a huge email with quotations from Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose explaining how Bengalis never help other Bengalis.
It is very difficult for me to find a well in Riyadh where I could go and drown myself. Also, I have to think that I have 2 daughters who still depend on me. So, I have forwarded his CV to people who could help.
Experiences of Partha Majumdar 