Mohammed is his name

M

OHAMMED IS HIS NAME

This is about three subordinate staff who have impressed me a lot.  Subordinate staff are a category in our bank who are the permanent militant members of the union, and a resource person to the Managers when in need. But all including customers consider them some one inferior in the lot (sub staff as they are called). But they are the blood vessels of the bank and record keepers. No scientific training was given to them ever, but they are expected to maintain the records intact and produce it as and when called for. Interestingly many are nonmetric, and having higher qualification will disqualify them from their posts. Many get recruited after being working them on daily wages  for years together.  During that amorphous stage, no union would be ready to support them and no any labour rules are applicable to them. Many of them are better managers, good in customer service and a great resource of knowledge and experience.  May I start my substaff series from a daily wages substaff of our Tirupur branch.

MOHAMMED as is his name. 5.5 ht, well built. Impressive personality.   Speaks Tamil, English, and Hindi fluently (in Tamil Nadu) and a non metric. His energy level is the highest. He is always pleasant. He knows most of the syntax of Finacle (CBS software of the bank).  Little bit of hardware too. He knows most of the NPA customers and valued customers.  His knowledge in banking has amazed me many times.  A good record keeper he is and a good event manager too.  I do remember, when we conducted a customer meet at a hall above the branch premises where the landlord used it  almost as a godown; within 48 hours he converted it to a beautiful meeting hall with minimum expenses, beautifully decorated.  When a Durga Puja was conducted at the Dussehra, I found Mohammed with a ‘tika’ on his forehead with vermilion and sandal mixed, decorating the pooja room, putting ‘tikas’ all over the safe room, and every where in the branch premises as we do it in our house.  When the ‘aarti’ was going on, I found Mohammed ringing the hand bell. It was he who distributed Prasad to all and sundry. When a lady officer was reciting a ‘keerthan’ on the occasion, I found another Substaff Ms. Mary ( a Christian by faith) is joining her.  Unique blend of secularism the father of nation had dreamed of.

I tend to feel a bit uncomfortable when he would be on leave.  Once I sent an SMS to the General Secretary of the Staff Union almost as follows:- “If you are not taking care of this guy, you are losing a militant member to your trade union movement and future executive to the Bank. Anybody will be prepared to accommodate such an impressive personality and ultimately he is not the one who is at loss.”

You just cannot ignore his elegant behaviour.

I bow my head for Mohammed in Reverance!