5th September 2003 – a throw back
It was a pleasant evening, the clock was rolling fast and we were in the 'German Hall' in Kodambakkam almost filled to its full capacity. I was 'super excited' for two reasons. First, for, I was through with my 'Executives Workshop on Motivation' and two for the felicitation function of our batch. A ‘Trophy’ for the outstanding students and a few medals for the best performers were earmarked. I was 100% sure that the ‘trophy’ will be grabbed by my brother since he did extra-ordinarily well and outshined other participants in all aspects of the course. Secondly, after so many months I was feeling 'happy', 'contented' and 'satisfied for acquiring something 'good' and was eagerly waiting to watch the grand show.
It was almost 7 months after resigning my job from NIFT and was searching a job all over Chennai. I kept going with the famous probability formula of '1 hit for 100 searches', so you can guess how many places I might have visited in search of a job. One good take away was, I got to know the entire Chennai city so well and knowledge about various industries and the different varieties of job that was available in the market then, except the fact that, I wasn't able to get a job for me. I used to attend many many lengthy...day-long....week-long interviews, cross all levels of scrunity but somehow I couldn't crack the last rounds and make it to the final 'successful candidate list'. While being a positive person, I managed to keep my hopes alive and believed that 'something good is going to happen', at the same time, I was reflecting on why I was not able to get through in the final rounds of the interviews. My financial position too was moving from 'comfort zone' to 'critical zone' and I must get a job in couple of months to get back on track. I always wish to offer a big 'thank you' to those 'wonderful' ‘R’ people in our lives, who constantly criticize us, about our status and keep giving us unsolicited advices and 'put us down' with all negative comments. In those days specially if you are not an Engineer or Doctor that is the end of the world. I used to hear, "Hey, you are not professionally qualified still you left the Central Government job? Why you quit your job? How are you going to get a job? That too in Chennai?”……. I was terrified.... scared of hearing these dialogues hitting me again and again and hence started avoiding all ‘R’s….(hope by now you know what stands for ‘R’ if you're not able to guess do message me I will love to reply :) So, I was desperately hoping for a ray of hope, a new start, a positive sign in life.
The program started and all of our 'batch mates' were seated close to the dais. There were a few introductory speeches and the chief guest's speech and then came the most exciting part, the ‘Awards and Rewards’. Never I had aimed for any awards or rewards till that time but being in that predicament---with a 'job-less' status---I was longing for a recognition of my intellectual ability, just one note of appreciation, one medal.
There were many medal winners, many of my batch mates were called up on to the stage and were rewarded with medals under various categories, and, I was still waiting in anticipation below the dias, then came the announcement from the Coordinator, ’all the medals meant for the day are distributed and now it is time to announce the trophy winner'. By hearing this I got so upset and started analysing things in my head whether I went wrong anywhere in my participation but remembered giving my best and being an active participant in every challenging activity. Immediately within seconds I gathered myself and told to myself that 'it is fine if I am not getting an award since I had the satisfaction of 'being a part of something very good' and to get associated with such a great institution. Now, I was ready to hear my brother’s name to be announced as a Trophy winner --- The course coordinator again started after a pause……this is the first time in MAX Academy we are awarding two 'Trophy Winners' and the best thing is both the Trophies are going to the same house…. To the brother and sister…..’ Oh god it’s me! I was feeling out of the world. It was the first time in my life I heard my name as a ‘Winner’ and my blood raced fast when I climbed those few stairs of the stage and received it with full pride and happiness.
This post is not about me getting a trophy but about the person who thought I deserve it, it's none other than our beloved Dr. J.N. Reddy. That stage, the approval in his eyes and the trophy for the Best Performer that I received, boosted my confidence exponentially, which even he was not aware of. I felt fully charged up and felt highly motivated at that moment. That was the day I felt that, 'come-what-may', I can never 'fail' in my life and all that stops me from achieving success are mere 'challenges', which I can face and overcome. We always need 'that' one 'appreciation moment'; you can even call it a 'magical pat' to get back the lost confidence. Not only the trophy, eventually, Dr. Reddy even gave me a job in his institution to start with my second innings. From there, it was never a look back, I bagged a job in a most reputed International Bank and never had an iota of doubt about my 'strengths'. He had always been my source of motivation and I always have a great regard for him. I am sure, it is not just me, but many of my fellow 'maxions' is as well surely touched by his sweet gestures. He practice what he preach and I am proud to be associated with such a wonderful person who always inspires and motivates everyone.
After a long gap, again I am back to a job to try my third innings with full of zeal and enthusiasm. I am still in that state of mind that I had while receiving my trophy. “I can always give my best anywhere and in anything that I take up”. It is not always required to give awards and rewards to recognise someone’s potential, a simple word of appreciation---even the assurance and acceptance we extend towards someone---can boost their morale. Let’s all be the kind of person who appreciates others and never criticise. Life matters more and we can be someone’s support to keep their spirits high. Let's make a positive impact in someone's life through our positive words and actions!
Stay positive!! Be a change-agent!!
- Suganthi Sankaran
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