Asked to Leave

  I tried to ignore your sarcasm many times and I was successful so far. In the mean time, I used to curse myself for not speaking up. Now I have another success of speaking up. I am complaining about all that had happened yesterday. I am asking the world to speak up for corporate justice. It’s time for all the assets of companies to gather together and let the higher management realise that they are getting degraded and insulted by lower management which higher management is not aware of.

  So, never come in my imaginations, and never come in my dreams to make my days and night a nightmare. It’s a request which I don’t think you will accept, since you’ve decided to screw my happiness. You know what; I know when, how and why it had started. So let me remind you that early morning of June 21st, 2015 when I had appreciated your Manager, the Vice President of IndiaHouses.com as he had showed care by asking me about my health when I was recovering from fever. I had appreciated him, not degraded you, but I had realised the moment when you took it in a wrong sense, I was even not aware of the fact that you are 6 years elder to the Vice President, whom you were reporting to, else I would not have said that. And there was nothing bad to appreciate someone for a good reason, and I feel proud when I feel that he was the head of the department, but in the mean time the proud becomes shame when I think of your sarcasm and terror.

  You kept an eye on me when I was coming back from the bio-break and lunch break; You asked me to take flight in reply to the application of extension of leave for 2 more days. I doubt that the Airport Authority would be building the airport runway by digging the mountain overnight, and ask the aviation sector to provide services from the next day onwards for those who’ve been asked to take flights to go home and come back to save their managers’ ego. I also doubt the solution that you provided was justifying your skills and responsibility; but it didn’t make any sense to me. However, let me put this in front of the world and see how it responds to this humiliation, egoistic and threatening culture of management towards the entry level employees.

  This is the time, thousands of Ravans are playing with life of millions of Rams, but now I am awakened and decided to fight for justice, fight for labour rights.

  You are not my enemy; it’s actually your approach, your way of situation handling, and the way you see the junior colleagues. You think they are slaves; and don’t have any other platforms apart from your organisation. But the CEO of the organisation says that we, junior employees, who interact with customers are assets, because we generate revenue for the company which feeds you and your children as well.

  It’s not you who drives the world of the organisation Ravan, it’s me. So now, be ready for the change. You have a choice to wait and see; at least you are fortunately blessed to see the renaissance, the corporate revolution.

  Thank you very much for all good things that you have said, you have done and thought (if any by your mistake).

  And good bye (not forever as you will see me protecting the rights of millions of wor in the near future).

  Sincerely Yours,

  Ram.

  Executive - Sales

  Department of Recorded Calls Selling.

  I went through it and read it. I was confused if I should send it to Ravan or not, because I thought, if I do that, the burning idea for revolution will die. It was yet to be seen as gold in the form of liquid, so I need some more fire from him. So, I decided to share the idea of revolution with one of the HR representatives in the company, who was my friend as well.

  When I had started writing in favour of labours and employees for their rights, I found myself a victim of humiliation. Was that because of my writing, or was I writing because it had started happening with me, I was confused. I think it was as mysterious as the question of the sequence of coming of an egg or chicken. Since, I was no more a slave; I had full time for fighting for the rights of employees and labours, who were going home with half of their salaries, who were being asked to leave; who were getting behaved the way I was in the second last day of my last slavery.

  “I think we should start counselling people who are finding themselves humiliated and getting their blood sucked by their employers.” I unexpectedly asked this question to Devika.

  I quit. I quit the job of making plethora of calls; making most of the customers irate and unhappy, frustrated,, angry and abusive.

  ***

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The Painful Parting

  9th July, 2016, AIIMS, New Delhi.

  The nature had become extremely unpleasant that evening; heavy rainfall had turned out to hailing; hundreds of birds were in danger. Butterflies; that were roaming around the street light couple of hours ago were getting into a big trouble; some of them were weltering. Some of the fireflies were appealing to open the window in front of Devika’s ward. Dozens of fireflies rushed inside the ward in such a way that they also needed to be admitted and healed their wounds; likewise, accompanied by my three wonderful daughters, I was there with Devika.

  “Thank you Ram!” Suddenly Devika held my hand; looked towards the fireflies and added,” You are an amazing mankind.”

  “How are you feeling now, Devika?” I tried to know her condition.

  “I am fine. Dear, I want to see all of them.” Devika asked me to call daughters.

  “Alright! I will bring them along.” I assured her and ran towards the ‘future’. With that race, I didn’t realise that I was leaving my ‘present’ behind.

  After requesting hard, I had arranged a bed for my daughters; I reached in minutes and called them.

  “Mini! Mini!” I called her.

  “Yes Papa!” Mini came out with her sisters.

  “Let’s go! Mom is calling you.” As soon as I said that, they ran towards the ward to see her mom, I followed both of them holding Davinah sticking her close to chest. After requesting a bit, security guard let all of us to get in and see our beloved.

  Perhaps, Devika’s family was there for the last time, as she looked to all of us.

  “Mini! Take care of yourself and your sisters too.” That edifying act of Devika had shook me badly as it was the gesticulation of losing battle with life. I was still standing there, holding Davinah tight.

  “Give her to me please.” Devika asked for her youngest daughter, who was born after caesarean delivery. This time Devika’s throat sounded deep grief.

  Devika’s weird behaviour rang the bell of ‘unpredictable dream’ and it was natural for me to become nervous.

  “Ram! I think it’s over. I don’t think I will be able to survive anymore. Please promise me one thing.” She said.

  “Please don’t tell this, you will be alright.” I was not sure if my wish would come true.

  “I am serious dear. Please understand this.” She took my hand into her hands, I found her palm as soft as I felt for the first time; very next moment I saw tears in her eyes.

  “Let me call the doctor.” I tried to go out.

  “Please don’t feel yourself alone after my ‘going’, whenever you think of me, you would find me around, I am there in your heart; spirit and soul; everywhere. You know, these 5-6 years we spent together are more than 500 years of your company. I enjoyed my life within these years, you made me forget that I was suffering from cancer. But today, I can only say ‘Goodbye’ and relax if you promise to get married for one more time; for the rest of your life; so that she can take care of you and my daughters.” She struggled to complete the last few words.

  “OK. Whatever you say; my love. Should I call the doctor please?” I found her pulling me towards her, it was for the last time, and she was actively touching me,

  “No; please let me spend these a few moments with my family.” As soon as she said that she became unconscious.

  “Doctor-sister!” I screamed rushing out towards the staff-room, my daughters followed me, their weeping followed to my screaming, we were running in
the ground, while our sound was flying in the sky. Doctors came, asked all of us to wait outside. My shoulders were wet by the tears of both elder daughters, who were surviving the pain of cloud burst on the heads of Devika’s family.

  “Sorry, we could not save her.” After fighting with the ‘nature’ of the nature, doctors came out and taking a deep breath; spoke the unwanted word ‘sorry’.

  I went back to the place, where they kept her; arranged for the ambulance to take her home. It was still raining outside, the window was still open, and other windows were also open with falling tears, Devika was tied in the red shroud, speechless and motionless. She went away leaving her 3 gifts in my secure hands. The journey which she had started was highway, the skyway, but just the one way.

  “You are the illumination of my soul which would never blow out, long live in my heart my love, I love you forever.” Those were the farewell words spelled out of my mouth.

  Don’t you worry Ram! I am going to contribute to fulfil that promise. How did you hold up yourself and family?

  After 13 days; at home, Gurgaon.

  “Papa! Where’s mom gone?” Davinah had asked that question for more than 50 times since Devika left us here alone.

  It made me to recall her words, ‘you are emotional; be stronger…’ It helped me to put a pause on my crying; I returned to room, where Mini was feeding cerelac to her sister.

  Mom had called us home. We packed our stuff and were ready for the travel. That home coming was like shelter-search for all four people, and undoubtedly; mom’s cottage was the best place for all of us to save our heads from hails of fate.

  “Devika’s separation hurts, mom.” She held my hand as soon as I said it.

  “I know where you are coming from my son. She was adorable; understanding; awesome. Look at me son, your father left me behind when he was 67, I chose to take care of myself and family with his memories. My time is over son, may be 5-6 years more and that’s it.” She said.

  “Mom! Now you please don’t say that. Am I strong enough to bear loses like this? You know it; my father; my best friend had gone his home 6 years ago; this time Devika left us behind….. And now you talk about this…..Please mom…” I was still a kid in front of her; as a result I started crying.

  “Hey! I am going to live for 30 more years. Now be quiet.” Mom was the best to pull be back from the world of grief; I felt myself energetic, full of positivity; she gave me the power of accept the truth; the truth of death.

  “Papa, where’s the mom gone?” Davinah asked again.

  “Mini would answer your question, sweetheart.” I was confused between the role of a good father and a good widower.

  “Mom is gone for very important work, she would be back soon. Next time, when you ask this question, please ask me, don’t ask Papa. Okay?” Mini gave me a reason to feel good by showing how quickly she had started becoming matured.

  It was a new experience to live with daughters and mother; people used to bother me by repeatedly asking about Devika; it was like a habit to keep on thinking of her and I was not able to stop my emotions when memorising those moments from the first day I had seen in D*KSH cafeteria to the last moments which she shared with me in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

  ***

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  After A Few Months;

  Creating The Better Platform For People Globally

  I had to fulfil the promise made to Devika. So, I left my kids to Mom and went back to Delhi, the place where I had spent about 10 years; as lovely as motherland. I started the journey to discover the better corporate world, where an employee is treated the way one deserves.

  “After reading your book ‘THE SPARK OF REVOLUTION’, I thought I could fulfil the promise.” Ram kept on letting her know.

  “Oh! You read that one? I had written it after my Hong Kong visit last year. How did you proceed further?” Sherry asked.

  “We should build a website and gather people.” I thought.

  I asked for suggestions to Rahul, who is one of my close friends; we sat together and decided to build the website.

  I, along with some of my colleagues started a Non-Profit Organisation ‘thebetterplanet.world’ and built the website www.askedtoleave.org with an objective of collecting ideas from people to make workplaces better.

  “Wow Ram! Many people have hitting the website; thanks to social media, the plan is working and mission is no more a dream.” He gave me the reason to become happier.

  Very quickly, people who were unsatisfied with their employers had started sending ideas and we redirected those ideas back to the world.

  We got to know that the number of unsatisfied people had crossed a million within a month of our initiative.

  “Ram bhai! The website has made the world record.” Rahul showed me his happiness.

  “Think about ‘how’ to fix those issues of people?” I asked him.

  “Let’s suggest the world go on strike. Let’s pass on the message to the world through social media for social revolution.” He said.

  “Are you mad or what? Do you know what a disaster it would bring? Entire corporate sector will be unbalanced. Many people would lose their jobs. I don’t think we should do it.” I was shocked and warned him.

  “Ram bhai, you tell it a disaster. However, in my perception, it is ‘the revolution’.” He tried to convince me.

  “No brother, I don’t want anyone to suffer because of this. I know people would count on us and would do whatever we say. So, please tell me something else.” I was still not ready.

  “The world who is suffering is with us today, inside this website. People want revolution; they want change, they desperately need justice, they want the labour rights secured globally and internationally.” This time he was more assertive.

  “Let’s do it Rahul, let’s go for it.” I said as suddenly I recalled the day when suffering from cancer; Devika was waiting for me to come home, and my Ravan manager didn’t allow me to go home.

  The Next Day, The Worldwide Strike Of Labours And Workers,

  It used to be full of traffic; however the delicacy was slightly adverse than normal days. After the weekend, all the managers, employers and bosses were waiting for their workers to go to the office. Time passed by, the supervisors all over the world started calling up their teammates, thousands of languages were asking the same questions; where are you? When are you coming?

  We had announced the strike and world had gone for vacation. More than 50% mobile phones got switched off. It was the power of unity; power of a will to change.

  Everyone enjoyed their day with their family that day.

  History had to repeat, the other day was better than the day one.

  We were keeping an eye on social and economical activities; we saw the Equity and commodity share market sinking. New York, London, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Frankfurt, Zurich, Sidney and Johannesburg…..people were outcrying everywhere. Employers were sending messages and threatening to terminate them from the services.

  “Hi, my name is John Berry; I am the secretary of World Trade Organisation. We have found that people have gone for strike and it’s because of your idea. I would request you to get the needful done, so that we have balanced economy in the world. I, on behalf of all member countries and their spokespersons, assure you that the dispute related to workers’ rights would be addressed and resolved. Please revert what are the demands of people those who contacted your Non-Profit Organisation thebetterplanet.world.

  We are writing you, seeking the resolution as WTO is responsible for global economical stability, and without workers comeback to business, nobody can fill in the blanks.

  Regards;

  John Berry,

  WTO Headquarters, Geneva

  I was surprised to see the email from WTO in the inbox.

&nb
sp; “Ram! Mr. Taylor is willing to speak to you over the phone.” Rahul passed on the phone.

  “Hello there.” I greeted the head of International Labour Organisation.

  “Hi Mr. Ram Kumar. My name is Mr. Guy Taylor. I appreciate you have taken this initiative of revolution, I wish I could lead this strike; but I am happy about it. Our fellow workers, assets to their respective organisations would be benefited. We have the mega-meeting with fortune 500 CEOs in Kathmandu next month. The US president and UN Secretary had noticed this revolution and wanted your appearance in that meeting.” He kept on speaking as if it was a recorded tape-cassette.

  “Thank you very much for calling and understanding workers’ issues and standing next to us Mr. Taylor. I want workers to go back to work from tomorrow, so what can you assure to protect their rights? Have you got any scheme for labours?” I asked him as he had stopped for breathing.

  “Yes. We will note the issues received on your NGO website, please make it public. Also, you may let me know what else you think the workers’ get from the employers.” He consulted.

  “Well, I would make a notice as conditions of workers’ in the website by next hour. Basically, they need to be dealt with respect, appropriate wages, over time, incentives, medical care, insurance for children education of the workers etc.; and in case of any medical or financial emergency, the employer should be the ray of hope to assist employee; there should be proper care of the workers’. In addition, the employer should send the worker on leave which he/she is entitled to; or pay for the leave balance, instead of lapsing those earned leave after a span of time, that’s all they want. These are the people who are 90% in population, who have merely 10% of funds globally; are driven by 10% rich people who have got the 90% of money in their bank accounts. That gap should not be there. People have rights to live a better life; at least they should get basic and fundamental rights; that would only happen once those rich people take the black money out of their secret bank accounts.” I told him all I wanted as that was the chance given to a common man; courtesy the strike idea of Rahul.