Tuesday 20 August 2013

How I got my job and career at Radiosai Global Harmony (Part 4 of 4 of my career story)

This is Part 4 of the story of how Bhagawan Baba helped me make my career choice.

If you have arrived straight here, please take a few minutes to read the first few parts to ensure continuity and better understanding. Part 1 is posted here.

Part 2 is posted here.

Part 3 is posted here.
How God changed my disappointment into appointment.



This is the concluding Part 4
A message from the Lord can come in many ways...

Tryst with Divinity


For the second time in 3 days, the three of us went into the bhajan hall and took seats in the front. There was no ‘emergency’ as such but ever since we had received that encouraging nod from Swami, Bhagawan Baba, on 31st March, things had changed for us. We were given the front seats without any problems. We waited for the Veda chanting to begin and usher into the Sai Kulwant Hall that beautiful orange-robed form. That happened within a few minutes.


Even as I waited, I picked up an inspirational book of short stories that one of the students was reading. Suddenly, my mind said,
“Seek a message.”
It is a habit among many to randomly open a book and seek a message. I too am part of that ‘message seeking’ mass! So, I closed my eyes and opened the book. The short story that came in front of my eyes was - The meeting that was not to be.


Immediately, I did not feel so good. And the Veda chanting began, signaling Swami’s arrival for darshan. Within ten minutes, the darshan was completed and Swami came towards the interview room. As He was entering the interview room, He cast a cursory glance into the bhajan hall. His face seemed to contort in irritation (that is what I thought). It seemed to ask,
“What are these boys doing here?”
Then He went in.


I did not want to confide my fears to the other two boys. I opened the book again and went to that story which seemed to have negatively sealed my fate. As I read the story, I saw a happy ending (naturally it had to be good because it was an inspirational book). In the end, the ‘meeting’ actually took place in the story and gave me the same hope for my story too.


Swami came out within a few minutes and stopped near the bhajan hall entrance. He beckoned to us and we three moved to the wheelchair that He was seated on.
“Swami, the vice-chancellor met us...”, I began.
“The vice-chancellor met me too. He showed me the photos of you three as well”, He replied with a smile.
He then looked at Dhananjay, the other boy and asked,
“What does your mother say about this?”
“Swami, my mother is very happy. She told me to do whatever you say and be with you always...”
It was such a touching moment. Dhananjay’s story has been one filled with love and grace. (Hear Dhananjay’s interview by downloading the Morning Glory audio file.) After losing his father at a young age, Dhananjay has had Swami stand by him like a father, taking important decisions. But Swami, on His part, never goes against the words of one’s parents. He ensures that whatever the child does is in sync with his/her parents’ wishes.


“Mother is the first God. Father is the second God. A teacher is the third God. Then comes God”, He says.


He did not ask me or the other boy about what our parents feel because He already knew the answers. To take the conversation further, I started,
“Swami, the vice-chancellor gave us a choice. He told us to choose...”
“Ay”, Swami cut me midway, “if you want to make Swami happy, go make that Venkatraman (Prof.G.V) happy.”


That was it. Final! All the three of us fell at His feet and told Him that we would go and join Radiosai immediately. Swami said,
“What is the hurry? It is your vacation now. Go for your holidays. You can join after the vacation.”


The brief but fruitful meeting was complete. We were all very happy and touched. It is amazing how Swami thinks of the little things in such a perfect manner. Though I was very keen to get a ‘job’ at Prasanthi, it was definitely true that I was desperately in need of a break after a hectic examination schedule.


Doubt is a real demon


The reader would have surely concluded that by now, I was the happiest man around. I wasn’t! There was this lurking fear in my mind that I should not count my chickens till they hatch. Swami had promised to give me a job no doubt, but the job was not yet mine. So, I didn’t leave for vacation. I stayed on at Puttaparthi, regularly attending darshan and bhajan sessions. In the meanwhile, I also started going to Radiosai studios in the free time to learn photo-editing and video-editing softwares. Days turned into weeks in this manner.


Then, news arrived that Swami would be leaving for Kodaikanal in the summer. As always, He would be taking a few students along. My hopes were raised. I was hoping to be a part of the group selected by the Lord to travel with the Lord. That was not meant to be and so, I felt, I would have to take my vacation as Swami had said. But then, Dhananjay was picked by Swami to accompany Him to Kodaikanal. I felt very happy for him. At the same time, this fed the demon of doubt in me.


Why only Dhananjay and not the other two of us? Does this mean that he is in and we two are not?


I had no answers and had troubled thoughts. I was thinking,
“Tomorrow, Swami will leave. Will He remember to give me a job when He returns? I am sure Dhananjay will get through, but what about us two?”
I did not want to bank on being a tag-along to Dhananjay because of my previous experience during MSc days (as mentioned in Part 1 of this article). What was I to do?


I decided that I would make myself as ‘visible’ as possible to Swami so that He doesn't forget!


The vacation


Armed with my camera, I moved towards the Sri Sathya Sai Airport to bid goodbye to Swami who would be flying to Madurai and then going to Kodaikanal. Soon, His car arrived and I started firing away at the shutter release button. In the process of taking pictures, I even boarded the aircraft (without a boarding pass)! Swami sat in the first seat along the aisle in the aircraft. I took a picture of Him and He smiled. Then, I took a picture of His feet which were covered in beautiful sandals. He again smiled and granted padanamaskar to both me and Sai Prakash who was on the video camera. Then, we ‘shooters’ alighted from the aircraft, craning our necks to catch a last glimpse of Swami through the window.


The plane taxied on the runway and took off. A day later, I too took off to Mumbai, to spend the vacation with my parents. Before leaving, I told Sai Prakash,
“The minute you receive news that Swami is returning to Puttaparthi, please let me know. I will rush back. I was the last person whose face Swami saw when He took off. Mine should be the first face He sees when He lands back in Puttaparthi.”


My body went to Mumbai no doubt, but my heart and mind were left behind with Swami. All my focus was on when Swami would return I hoped that in Kodaikanal, Dhananjay would ‘remind’ Swami once or twice about the pending appointments. As a family, we took a vacation to Ganapatipule in Maharashtra. One day, as I was swimming in the resort there, I got a call. It was from Sai Prakash.
“Swami is coming back the day after”, he said, “Are you planning a return?”


That was the end of my vacation. I pleaded with my father to get me a flight ticket back to Bangalore ASAP. We left Ganapatipule the same day and were back in Mumbai. The way things panned out, I would be flying back the same day that Swami would be flying back to Puttaparthi. I was in the taxi from Bangalore airport to Puttaparthi, when I got another call from Sai Prakash.
“Swami is due to land in about an hour’s time. I am going to the airport now.”
“Please bring along my camera kit too”, I told him desperately.


Now, I turned to the driver.
“How fast can you take me to Puttaparthi from here?”
“It takes about an hour sir. But I can do it in 45 minutes...”
“My life is at stake here. Please do it as fast as you can.”
He nodded and stepped on the gas. I opened my suitcase and began to rummage through it for my whites. In the speeding taxi, I changed from my T-shirt and jeans into whites. I wet my hair and combed it in place and then applied the vibhuti dot on my forehead.


It was the 17th of May 2007 and my heart raced faster than even the speeding taxi.


Welcome and anti-climax


I made it in time! And just as I had thought, mine was indeed among the first few faces (if not the first one) that Swami saw as He descended from the aircraft. I was there again, taking photographs of the rousing welcome that Swami was given as He returned to Puttaparthi. My body united with my mind and soul and thus, it felt very welcome to me too!


From the next day onwards, it was back to waiting for me. I asked Dhananjay whether Swami had made any references to our appointments during the dozen or so days of the Kodaikanal trip. He said that on one occasion, Swami had asked him where he would work and he had replied,
“Swami, in Venkatraman sir’s studio...”
Swami had then looked at Prof.G.V and had said,
“So, it has now become your studio is it?”
Dhananjay continued,
“Sir came to me after that session and told me that I should never make that stupid mistake of calling the studio as his studio. Everything is Swami’s alone and all were just custodians.”


That, I felt, was an important point to remember for all. Whatever we have been given do not belong to us. They belong to God and we are just custodians.


Dhananjay and I decided to contact the third boy, Raju, to tell him to come over. However, we received some shocking news. Raju would not be returning to Puttaparthi. Many personal pressures had forced him to look out for a job elsewhere. Amid tears he said that he would not be able to come to Puttaparthi. We were taken aback. This was definitely a setback. For the first time, Swami had been a little ‘lax’ and ‘easy’ with taking others’ advice for appointments and here was a dropout even before the appointment! We were told that it could be detrimental for our appointments too. I feared for mine because I felt Dhananjay was through already. I continued with my prayers and daily sitting in the front.





The D-Day


The 30th of May arrived. I longingly looked at my ‘Student’ badge. It said, ‘Valid till: 31/05/2007’. I knew that this would be the second-last day for my student privileges. The same was the case with Dhananjay and Swami had not told him anything too. We decided to foray once again to the front lines of the bhajan hall. The emergency now was - no deliverance for us even after the arrival of the due date!


Swami came into the bhajan hall a few minutes before bhajans. He saw Dhananjay and me right up in the front.
“Now what?”, He saked, “You have come again?”
“Swami, we are ready to join for the job”, I said.
“Job? Where?”
Dhananjay got up on his knees, “Swami in Venkat...”
He was cut mid-sentence by the sharp pinch I gave his leg.
“Swami, in your studio...” I completed.
“Hmm”, said Swami, “What work will you do?”
“Swami, I will do photography, video-shooting, video-editing, writing articles and radio programmes...”
“Ah! That is a lot of work... And you?”
“Swami, I will do audio-recording, audio-editing and audio-mastering”, replied Dhananjay.
“Very nice... very happy.”
We immediately bent and took padanamaskar. Now, I felt, we had finally clinched it. But a little surprise packet had still been reserved by Swami.


“Don’t join now”, He said and I had surprise written all over my face. But that soon transformed into a smile as He continued,
“Join tomorrow. It is a good day.”
He gave us padanamaskar for a second time. We had feared that He would ask about the third boy. He didn’t. He knows everything right?

And so, on the 31st of May, 2007, the day my ‘Student’ badge expired, a Thursday which is Swami’s special day, I was officially a staff member of Radiosai Global Harmony. The next day, I was issued my ‘Staff’ badge and I happily ‘retired’ the ‘Student’ badge. Indeed, Swami had ensured that I would not be a ‘waiting boy’ for even a single day. The transition from ‘student’ to ‘staff’ happened for me like night transitions into day and we were the first two students from our batch to be placed in our careers.
This truly became my 'official' home page... www.radiosai.org... 



For all readers:
(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com. You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".


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Friday 16 August 2013

How God changed my disappointment into appointment (Part 3 of 4 of my career story)

Adapted from Francis Thompson's Hound of Heaven.
This is Part 3 of the story of how Bhagawan Baba helped me make my career choice.

If you have arrived straight here, please take a few minutes to read the first part to ensure continuity and better understanding. Part 1 is posted here.


Part 2 is posted here.


This is part 3 now...

Emergency Excuse


The 31st of March, 2007 dawned along with trepidation in my heart. It was the final of my MBA final exams. But the trepidation was not because of the exam. It was in anticipation of what would happen once I was done with my MBA. In the meanwhile, Sai Prakash had assured me that if Swami (Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) asked him about new recruits for Radiosai, he would surely suggest our names (the three of us whom he had met on the lawns during that ‘famous’ shooting star episode). I also got to know that Prof.G.V had told Swami about us; that we would be ideal to be recruited for Radiosai Global Harmony.

This was something that was happening almost for the first time - Swami giving the task of recruiting to somebody else. However, I was sure, the final decision would be made by Swami himself. And apparently, that had not happened as of yet. After writing the exam and exiting the hall, my tension grew. I was lost in thought as to what should be the plan of action. I had exactly 2 more months after which my ‘Student’ badge would lose validity. Before that, I had to get my job or face the prospects of being a ‘waiting boy’.

I met the other two and, soon, the next plan was brewing and ready. We decided to use the ‘emergency’ excuse to get a chance to seek what our hearts yearned from Swami Himself. What exactly is this ‘emergency’ excuse that am referring to?

There is a silent understanding among all the staff and students that if anyone is in any kind of emergency - medical, physical, mental or psychological - he will be given priority to sit in the front in the mandir. This was to ensure that he would be able to get proximity to Swami to share his problems and worries. Thus it was, whether the news was good or bad, the ‘emergency’ cases were given priority as far as seating was concerned.

In 2007, such ‘emergency’ cases were being given an opportunity to sit in the front in the bhajan hall where Swami would arrive for bhajans and be seated just a few feet away from them. The three of us decided to make use of this opportunity to ask Swami himself about our jobs. But there was a small catch. What would be the ‘emergency’ that we would cite in order to sit front? Not having a job was hardly an emergency in a place where students have waited for seven years. It was hardly an emergency on the same day that one has written his final examination! In fact, the University is against the policy of campus-placements. Swami has discouraged it because He wants students to concentrate on just being students while in the Institute. What were we to tell?


That was when we made use of tact. We definitely went ahead and stated that we had an ‘emergency’ and so we wanted to sit in front. When asked about it, we just replied,
“Sir! It is too personal. It is for Swami’s ears only...”
Even as we said that, we waited in bated breath. The explanation was accepted and we were made to sit in the front!


Appointment or Disappointment?


Swami was in the interview room after the darshan rounds in Sai Kulwant Hall. The three of us seated in the bhajan hall hoped that Swami would come in early so that we would have some time before the bhajans to present our case. I kept recollecting Swami’s words to me during that beautiful Ramzan interview when He had assured me that I would always be at puttaparthi. I was heavily banking on those words coming to my aid today.


Swami did not disappoint in terms of coming early into the bhajan hall. He came in at about 4:50pm, when there were ten minutes still left for bhajans to begin. He immediately noticed three ‘non-singers’ in the first row and asked,
“Why are you here?”
“MBA Swami...”, I stammered.
“What about MBA?” He asked.
“Swami, we have completed our MBA degree. Swami promised me that I would be in Parthi. Please give us a job Swami...”


Swami immediately told us to sit down. He sent us back to our places. That was it! We sat and continued to wait. Swami spoke to a few other students and teachers. Soon, it was time for bhajans. As the sounds of the Aumkaar filled the hall, Swami looked at the three of us and motioned us to move. We were blocking His view of the singers!


My heart sank immediately as we moved ahead, closer to His chair so that we didn’t block His view of the singers and the singers’ view of Him. I felt so neglected and dejected. There had been such a build-up for this moment and Swami had treated it like any other thing! What was to happen to us, me especially? There was no way I would get another chance to sit in the front based on the ‘emergency’ excuse because now, everyone knew what my ‘emergency’ was. They would not be able to understand and appreciate why it was an ‘emergency’ for me. How could they when apparently Swami Himself did not understand it? These thoughts formed a whirlpool in my head and I was caught floundering in it.


A matter of perspective


Swami had once told Prof Anil Kumar,
“These devotees keep trying to thrust their letters into my hands. I don’t know why they do that?”
Acting as an advocate for the devotees (which he often did with great success and the great amusement of Swami), Prof. Anil Kumar said,
“Swami, they may be in some emergency situation...”
“Ay!Once they have come to me, what emergency can even come in their life?”, Swami said, indicating that everything was absolutely under His control.


This is the Truth that I often forget and, thus, feel sad and disappointed. For example, in the case above, I was feeling rejected and sad instead of celebrating the fact that Swami had actually called me closer to His chair! How many times do I forget this fact that in times of sorrow, Swami is actually getting me closer to Him? Isn’t that the reason why the mother of the Pandavas, Kunti, prayed to Lord Krishna thus,
“Lord! Fill my life with troubles for those are the times I think of you...”


I was foolish then; I am foolish now. But I do hope to change this trend!


The bhajan concluded and Aarthi began. This was the time that Swami would rise from the chair and walk to the car with support. Strangely, today, He did not rise from His chair at all. He sat there for the complete Aarthi. After that, He sent word for the vice chancellor, Sri.A.V.Gokak. The vice chancellor came into the bhajan hall, to Swami’s chair. What Swami told him in my mother tongue, Kannada, took my breath away (Gokak sir’s mother tongue is also Kannada)
“You see those three boys there? Talk to them and give them jobs.”


That was it - simple and straight. Then He turned to look towards us. He moved His head and blinked His eyes to say that it was done. Then, He got up from the chair and walked to the car. Within minutes, He was gone and we were standing in front of the vice chancellor of the University.


“What did you tell Swami? He told me to give you jobs. Where should I post you boys?”
In my wildest dreams I had not thought that on the 31st of March, the vice chancellor would be asking me where I wanted to work!
“Sir, we requested Swami for jobs. Wherever He places us, we are happy to work...”
He thought for a while and then said,
“When I meet Swami during dinner, I shall seek further clarification. Meet me at my office in the morning.”
“Tomorrow morning, sir?” we asked.
“No! Tomorrow is All Fool’s Day and I don’t want such important communication happening with a sliver of doubt! Meet me on the morning of the 2nd”, he said with his characteristic laugh and nod. Then, he too walked away.


We were simply thrilled. It slowly dawned to me that when Swami told us to move so that we would not block the singers, it was not as if He had cast aside our case files. He had already solved them! And because I didn’t realize that, I felt sad and let down.


The meeting which scheduled a second meeting


On the 1st of April, when I saw the vice-chancellor, I could not contain myself. I walked to him, folded my hands in ‘Sairam’ and asked,
“Sir, could you obtain any clarification?”
He understood my eagerness and anxiety.
“Don’t worry. Meet me tomorrow in my office and all will be well.”
That was all the answer I got. I conveyed it to the other two as well. We were just waiting for the next day.

The University Administrative Block where we had to go and meet the vice-chancellor. 

The 2nd of April found the three of us sitting at the vice chancellor’s office by 9am. I was the first to be called in.
“So, Mr.Aravind”, Gokak sir began,”you have decided to stay and serve here is it?”
“Yes sir. I would consider it an honor to get that opportunity.”
“I sought clarification from Swami. He has advised me to ask you where is it that you would like to work? He wants you to be employed where you will enjoy working.”
I was so touched by Swami’s attention to detail. Though I was waiting here to work somehow or the other for Him, He wanted to find out my preferences. My heart’s desire sprouted.
“Sir, I would love to either teach at the University or enhance my skill and hobby of photography by joining Radiosai.”
“Okay. Which among the two would you prefer?”
“I am equally amenable for both sir. Whatever Swami picks from among the two, I would be delighted to do...”
“Tell me, if you had to vote, which among the two would be 51% and which would be 49%.”
He was trying his best to see which side I had leanings towards.
“Sir, honestly it is 50-50 each. I think I will be equally happy in either.”
“What if there is a need for students at Radiosai? Would you be ready to go and work there?”
I thought that Gokak sir must have been present when Prof.G.V had asked Swami about us. I was happy to note that but I replied,
“Sir, I am ready to do whatever Swami says.”
“Okay. I shall convey the same to Swami and get back to you. You may go. All the best.”


Soon, the other two also finished their interviews with the vice-chancellor. Their interviews too had gone along similar lines. As we three walked down the Vidyagiri Hill from the Administrative Block, we discussed the road ahead.
“Let us sit in the front again. This time, we can say that the vice chancellor has conveyed Swami’s message to us and we have to state our decision to Swami.”


We all agreed on that as we prepared for the second meeting of the day. And we knew that this was the more important meeting!


to be concluded in the fourth part entitled:

How I got my job and career at Radiosai Global Harmony

For all readers:
(If you enjoyed this and wish to subscribe to this blog, please go to the right hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Another blog which I maintain with more than 200 articles on it is at http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com. You may visit that at your leisure. If you wish to be added to my mailing list, please email me via this page with the subject "ADD ME TO MAILING LIST".

Also, use the Tweet and FB buttons below here liberally to share with your friends and family! Thank you)

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