This story reflects some of the unique anecdotes of my life which I had to encounter during my official tenure at Srinagar city after migration of our community from Kashmir. It was only in late nineties when I was transferred to Jawahar Nagar Srinagar Branch of my Bank from Pathankot and was posted there as Manager operations . Due to militancy all the outside staff was required to stay in a pooled accommodation in Banks Guest House located near Badami Bagh cantonment . There was also a proper mess and transport facility provided to us . Banks hired vehicles available would take us to different branches in the morning and bring us back to Guest house in the evening . We were much skeptikle about our posting because of much hostile atmosphere around. Only after our first night stay at the Guest House , we heard about the gruesome massacre of Wandhama in which twenty six members of our community were murdered . This incident laid a deep impact on our minds and we felt more concerned about our security . However, in due course of time we became accustomed to the circumstances and could discharge our duties in a quite congenial way . The evenings were mostly spent in the company of our colleagues playing indoor games , discussing current affairs or sharing day to day branch experiences with each other .
In the mean time I developed friendship with one of my colleagues who was senior to me and was staying in Guest House much earlier than my arrival thereat. His actual name was Mohan Kadalbuju , but he was usually addressed as Buju sahab . He used to stay alone in one room while all other rooms were shared by two persons normally . After office hours he usually confined himself to his room and was noticed always busy with his books . He was a voracious reader. He used to read books on every subject on earth . Recently he had developed Interest in Kashmiri Shivism . I visited his room sometimes to listen to his lectures . He also gave me counseling occasionally , whenever I faced any problem at the branch. He had a very good knowledge and experience of Banking . His advise always helped me . He was having only one bad habit that he was not a good listener. He could lecture on any subject and keep his audience spell bound for hours together , but if somebody from audience wanted to express his views he would immediately find some excuse to leave the meeting to the astonishment of all. Only the habit of not listening to others had made him unpopular among his colleagues .
After some time I was transferred as Branch Manger to Rainawari Branch , which was shifted from its actual location Rainawari and was working from Zonal office Srinagar since long , due to explosion of various bombs at its original venue. Some time after taking the charge of Branch by me, management of our Bank decided to shift the Branch to its original location which was really an ordeal for me.
The premises for Branch could not be found at its original location .But a very spacious branch premises was identified near Saida kadal one and a half Kms away from Kathi Darwaza. Lease deed was signed by me and the landlord in Srinagar High court and Within shortest possible time all the cabins and counters were installed in the premises and Branch was shifted there. Here it will be worthwhile to mention the name of a casual labourer ' Irfan 'who used to work for us at shifted premises for some small renumeration . He helped us relentlessly in shifting of the Branch along with other permanent Bank staff.
Once during these days, Buju sahab said to me, " you have now discretion of appointing a Canteen Boy for the branch."
At once name of Irfan came into my mind. Yes Irfan will be best for the post.He is already familiar with us, I thought.
"What are you thinking about? said Buju sahab .
"I was thinking about appointment of canteen Boy"' I retorted back.
" You have not to worry about that, I know one person, you can send his recommendation . You have to do this job for me."
" But what about Irfan?He is much hopeful. Moreover, he deserves it," said I.
"No you have to recommend my Man , I have made a comment ment to him. You have to do it anyhow".
Next morning , while I was working at the branch, Regional Secretary of staff Association along with his team arrived at the branch and requested me to appoint one 'Akram' as Canteen Boy as we have made commitment with him. Please do us a favour, they implored upon me.
My staff was intrested in appointing ' Irfan 'as Canteen Boy. I thought over it for some time and decided to go with the choice of Staff Association as I could not afford to confront Staff Association in such already hostile atmosphere.
Then I send recommendations for appointment of 'Akram ' as Canteen boy annoying my staff as well as Buju sahab . One of my Staff members confided to me that this boy 'Akram 'was an ex-militant and he has been already imprisoned for exploding a Bomb at some other branch of the Bank. I told him straight away that nothing can be done now as I have already send my recommendation and approval of which may be received by us within a day or two.
After few days 'Akram ' joined the branch. Prima facie ,he apperead to me much arrogant and rude ,perhaps because of my already biased outlook against him and I regretted my decision . But within a short span of time he became indispensable for branch. He was so polite , helpful and hardworking that every staff member of branch began to like him.
One day in order to satisfy my curiosity , I asked him about the allegation of Bomb explosion against him.
He replied to me, " Sir, a permanent employee of that Branch was actually involved in Bomb explosion . If he had been apprehended by police , he could have lost his job. I being a temporary employee was made the scapegoat and Association told me to accept the crime . They made a comment ment with me that after my release from Jail , I will be again appointed as Canteen Boy in some other Branch .
The polite behaviour of 'AKRAM' which I had noticed myself while working with him and all other circumstances related with his appointment left me with out any reason not to beleive his statement.
In the mean time I developed friendship with one of my colleagues who was senior to me and was staying in Guest House much earlier than my arrival thereat. His actual name was Mohan Kadalbuju , but he was usually addressed as Buju sahab . He used to stay alone in one room while all other rooms were shared by two persons normally . After office hours he usually confined himself to his room and was noticed always busy with his books . He was a voracious reader. He used to read books on every subject on earth . Recently he had developed Interest in Kashmiri Shivism . I visited his room sometimes to listen to his lectures . He also gave me counseling occasionally , whenever I faced any problem at the branch. He had a very good knowledge and experience of Banking . His advise always helped me . He was having only one bad habit that he was not a good listener. He could lecture on any subject and keep his audience spell bound for hours together , but if somebody from audience wanted to express his views he would immediately find some excuse to leave the meeting to the astonishment of all. Only the habit of not listening to others had made him unpopular among his colleagues .
After some time I was transferred as Branch Manger to Rainawari Branch , which was shifted from its actual location Rainawari and was working from Zonal office Srinagar since long , due to explosion of various bombs at its original venue. Some time after taking the charge of Branch by me, management of our Bank decided to shift the Branch to its original location which was really an ordeal for me.
The premises for Branch could not be found at its original location .But a very spacious branch premises was identified near Saida kadal one and a half Kms away from Kathi Darwaza. Lease deed was signed by me and the landlord in Srinagar High court and Within shortest possible time all the cabins and counters were installed in the premises and Branch was shifted there. Here it will be worthwhile to mention the name of a casual labourer ' Irfan 'who used to work for us at shifted premises for some small renumeration . He helped us relentlessly in shifting of the Branch along with other permanent Bank staff.
Once during these days, Buju sahab said to me, " you have now discretion of appointing a Canteen Boy for the branch."
At once name of Irfan came into my mind. Yes Irfan will be best for the post.He is already familiar with us, I thought.
"What are you thinking about? said Buju sahab .
"I was thinking about appointment of canteen Boy"' I retorted back.
" You have not to worry about that, I know one person, you can send his recommendation . You have to do this job for me."
" But what about Irfan?He is much hopeful. Moreover, he deserves it," said I.
"No you have to recommend my Man , I have made a comment ment to him. You have to do it anyhow".
Next morning , while I was working at the branch, Regional Secretary of staff Association along with his team arrived at the branch and requested me to appoint one 'Akram' as Canteen Boy as we have made commitment with him. Please do us a favour, they implored upon me.
My staff was intrested in appointing ' Irfan 'as Canteen Boy. I thought over it for some time and decided to go with the choice of Staff Association as I could not afford to confront Staff Association in such already hostile atmosphere.
Then I send recommendations for appointment of 'Akram ' as Canteen boy annoying my staff as well as Buju sahab . One of my Staff members confided to me that this boy 'Akram 'was an ex-militant and he has been already imprisoned for exploding a Bomb at some other branch of the Bank. I told him straight away that nothing can be done now as I have already send my recommendation and approval of which may be received by us within a day or two.
After few days 'Akram ' joined the branch. Prima facie ,he apperead to me much arrogant and rude ,perhaps because of my already biased outlook against him and I regretted my decision . But within a short span of time he became indispensable for branch. He was so polite , helpful and hardworking that every staff member of branch began to like him.
One day in order to satisfy my curiosity , I asked him about the allegation of Bomb explosion against him.
He replied to me, " Sir, a permanent employee of that Branch was actually involved in Bomb explosion . If he had been apprehended by police , he could have lost his job. I being a temporary employee was made the scapegoat and Association told me to accept the crime . They made a comment ment with me that after my release from Jail , I will be again appointed as Canteen Boy in some other Branch .
The polite behaviour of 'AKRAM' which I had noticed myself while working with him and all other circumstances related with his appointment left me with out any reason not to beleive his statement.
