The bard sang that “parting can be a bittersweet experience”. How true! On January 31, 2019, I retired from a state-run bank after clocking an incredible 39 years of service, and the passaging time felt surreal. The bank was like a second home, where I spent most of my waking hours. It provided me with my daily bread and butter and gave me a sense of belonging and esteem in society. During my nearly four-decade banking trek, I encountered a few remarkable people, traversed some of the most secluded spots, including a ‘difficult centre’ posting, and established fresh bonds and connections.
Some unforgettable memories unfolded as my associates and co-workers gave me a splendid farewell, with one individual after another extolling my virtues. I elucidate them here.
My initiation into the bank on June 2, 1980, had an iota of drama. My colleagues and I approached the main branch of the SBI with our appointment orders, after which the Agent (Branch head) and his assistant greeted us warmly. The bank authorities typically set the appointments in stone. Following the welcome ceremony and introductions to the branch staff, the bank officials directed me to fork Rs 500 -a considerable sum in those days- as a refundable ‘security deposit’.
I was perplexed that I had to pay upfront to begin my innings with the bank as a cashier, as nothing of this sort was stated in the appointment letter. My initial wage (which would appear outlandish to the younger generation) was about Rs 500, more than enough to maintain the family and even place some aside as a nest egg. Having no one to lean on, I quickly sought permission to wheel back home on my bicycle and get the desired amount. Upon being informed of my plight, my mother, Padmakumari, pawned her gold trinkets with a loan shark, equipped me with the essential amount, and enabled my initiation into SBI.
In the days gone by, I had a flirtation for the movies and rarely skipped the release of a new English film. One day I yearned to watch a movie on its release day. After computing the cash and presenting the bound notes to the head cashier, I furtively escaped. In the flurry and enthusiasm, I forgot to hand over the hand balance (loose notes and coins) housed in the drawer.
The blunder caused the team to toil extra hours to identify the discrepancy. Finally, the branch officials gave instructions to trace me. However, having skedaddled to the movies, I remained undetectable.
Word had already gone around that I had decamped to the movies the previous day. A trusted colleague to whom I had disclosed my intention had leaked the news. So when I presented myself for work the following day, the chief cashier glowered at me and gave me a piece of his mind. He warned of dire consequences if I had the nerve to leave without permission, including an extended probation period.
The other employees were delighted; my blunder enabled them to earn additional overtime wages. But the chief cashier’s stern reprimand caused me to quake with fear and transformed me into a responsible team player.
