She entered the room with flowing hair, subtle make up and a
smile to say it all. A charmer that she is, you would dare to miss one her
accessories be it her ‘star bucks’ coffee mug or her color coordinated bellies.
I always wondered how she managed to look so fresh even after such a tiring
travel which starts early morning. But that day I got the secret out…
I was along with her
on one of the routine obsessed Monday’s at her office. The moment she entered people
just got up from their seat and one of them said,”Shikha Mataji is here”.
Confused I looked at her thinking why my mom not introduced me to this goddess.
Just reading my face she gave the most casual look and said very softly,
“That’s me. They call me Shikha Mataji here”. “What??”…I couldn’t match her
pace and almost shouted. “Shhhh”..She said, “You might disturb them, it’s ok, I
am used too and now I don’t mind after all it’s the culture here. You know we
are a religious NGO”. I looked at her from top to bottom then imagined her in goddess
attire sitting on a lion which said “I am the HR of the company reporting Krishna”.
This time it was hard to hold back my smile. So true….
Awesome ventures run on plugHR!!
It’s commendable how plugHR
succeeds in managing and running such organizations were HR department never
existed in first place.
I spent some time with her discussing the further action
plan when suddenly someone came serving us breakfast. I again gave her a look
as too why so much formality. She said, “Its ok, they serve breakfast and lunch
also for free”. Well what else would you expect from an organization who serves
‘mid day meal’ to children across country. Now before I could even react the
peon asked me, “Mataji, aap kuch lengi”.I just ignored and tried hard to hide
my embarrassment by simply nodding and keeping myself out of any further
discussion on the dignified salutation. Now I am open to be called ‘Mommy’ by a
2 year old but a 20 year old can definitely can be a challenge.
As we were about to call it a day around 5pm, the office boy
came and handed over a big bag of puffed rice to ‘Mataji’ alias Shikha and
before I could wonder much Shikha replied, “ This is my Friday baggage back
home. They make it in-house for distribution and I am plain lucky to enjoy
fringe benefits with difference.
“Hey,so now I know what makes you work for this company
though you travel for two hours in bus and then not to miss the work load all
to be done in two days, for its anyway a two day accounts”,I said. “Yes, you
are right but wrong too.I enjoy working here for I get to do what my heart says
and it’s not just the free lunch but the overall feel of the place. I enjoy the
trust they show in me and the way I can nurture my stuff here. Having worked in
large enterprises I have never been myself as much as I am now. I know when
they call me Mataji its out of respect and frankly I love it now.The word holds
a weight and now I exactly know why they call me that.This has changed me from
inside and I am now doing it for Krishna.”
I was amazed to see her changing so much from the first time
met her at our company induction. Was it plugHR or Krishna , I yet have to
understand ,but this definitely was a fight where job content won over
environment.
Jai Mataji!!
