Bosses, rue

Bosses, rue

From pre- seventies
to post- nineties
of the twentieth century
one’s monthly salary
was hundreds, a few
that per month one drew
inadequate for a family's need
adding to it, men’s growing greed
instigated by the world outside
the longing for status and pride
Vying with the man, next door
it was shameful to show, poor
Thus income, extra being a temptation
one was trapped in a web of corruption
major or minor scoring over conscience
silencing it with the logic of his omniscience
Some were the tour bill manipulation
one’s illegal logic, one could not shun
also, it may be of a major or minor category
intellect lost to greed to aid the salary
coming late, insincerity in assigned duty,
Defiance to safeguarding company property
all these coming under activity nefarious.
All these as per scriptures, deeds dexterous.

At this ripe age I must tell my story
luckily I had two bosses, exemplary
A decade under each boss I served
in my heart gratitude is preserved
for both of them for life and life after
their practices in me will ever harbor.
The first boss initiated to my career
his honesty, dedication, nothing could deter.
Despite his simple living, habits, sound
prematurely left us, heaven bound
Most attribute it to his dedication to the industry
His love but his administration salutes ,I, bent knee.
Exposed you my falsehood to my inner eye
Hey Boss!, Before I realized you stopped to sigh
Despite his younger age and being a manager junior
he couuld handle regions, insider and outsider.

Next decade when I was in a senior ladder
a second boss refrained me to err later.
by his deeds honest and admin illustrious
injecting fear, administrating well without fuss
ten years with him opened up my intellect
a little honesty and sincerity were the effect.

Reveal I must
kissing his walk -path dust
his treats and traits with joyous tears
with a prayer, to his life to add years
unique, wonderful are his administration
the sound culture of Nalco is his initiation
Having private enterprise experience behind
the best blend with the public sector I could find
A suggestion for a study by management schools
to illustrate for leaders to use as management tools
Thus run my narrations in a novice way
sequencing it as my emotions say
as it taught me to life add values
Gratitude from my core cannot pay the dues.
From job and career were separated we
three decades, a separation was painful to me.
Around ninety my boss now I tell with a tear
came he thrice to wish me to my life, add years
when I was too much ill to recover
in hospital bed with sighs going thinner
true love for a subordinate from the heart
is it not a divine management art?
that made me indebted to him for eternity
pray I to be his subordinate in my earthly entity.

initially under him, noticed, I, to my wonder
to assess the subordinates’ character
he scrutinized each TA bill
disposing of all files early with awful skill
not depending on any assistance
to take his decision without influence

our head office has a connection
by train and air to plant, by his instruction
to save working hours we traveled by train
overnight journey after dutywas a strain
Sleeps, he coolly on the platform floor
waiting for the train, with a snore
without pride of his position
putting upward his companion.
occasions many, I witnessed and heard
He argued with the ticket collector, erred
with no answer to his queries in a fleet
he flees giving him the ticket for his seat
lying vacant with many seats
 corrupt ticket collector needed treats.
His handling of gheraos by workers irate
deserves case studies for managers to illustrate
In his office they rush, him to condemn
after listening for seconds or so to them
he takes over with magnetic conversation s
silencing them in his hours-long sermons
forcing one by one to leave out of boredom
the unions are handled by such wisdom
in the club in the evening he remained mum.
With chaotic demands, unions stopped entry
blocking at the main gate with some plea
he used to lead all managers together to enter
that dispersed the nob mesmerizing every leader
as with his group to each, there was a pet boss
and to him to block and mob him, they were at loss.
From conception to the operation of the factory
He was the boss supreme, made it blemish free.
The factory saved plenty because of his attitude
people call him a miser but at the end bow with gratitude.
The club witnessed in evening his awesome shuttle game
Ensured. he there managers and workers are the same
Lucky I am to partner with him many evenings
but failed to find whether his hair had coatings
as his hair was thick lush black- spite to all
I was given the task “The mystery behind” to haul.
Once on a special day I heard his sermons
with a calculator in hand to a site in charge in person
who had already given us gifts on the new year,
with thanks and sweets as a courtesy to endear.

Two decades, one decade at lower rung of the ladder
first boss Mr. Ain day lifted me holding my finger.
The next decade at position senior taught me ethics
a boss bossing my heart as management basics
He is Mohanty sir nearing ninety with a divine frame
revealing his divine habits in life with fame
Bow I to both of my bosses, bent knee
For divine pleasure to them, the prayer from me.

P K Routray
in the service of the Lord

(N > B Late Mr P N Aindley was my boss wef 1972 to 1982 at Bokaro Stell plant. Mr N Mohanty was my boss wef 1982 to 1991 at National Aluminium Company Ltd.)