First job reporting

(यह हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें )

It was the summer of 1998. I had just completed my MBA in Indore, a city in central India, and like any fresh graduate, I was hopeful about landing a good job. But weeks passed, and nothing came through. I returned to my village feeling a little defeated. Despite having an engineering degree from a well-known college and now an MBA, there I was — jobless and back home. My family was supportive, and somewhere deep down, I still believed something would work out. But the waiting wasn’t easy.

After about a month of applying and hearing nothing back, I decided to go to New Delhi. Some of my friends were already there, preparing for competitive exams and sharing rooms. I figured I’d have better chances — maybe attend walk-in interviews or find opportunities I wouldn’t hear about in the village.

So I booked a train ticket on the Chhattisgarh Express — the one train that had been connecting Raipur to Delhi for as long as I could remember. The train was supposed to leave around 4 PM, but, as usual, it was delayed. My elder brother, who’s always been more like a friend, came to see me off at the station.

The train passed through familiar towns — Bhilai, Durg, and then Rajnandgaon. I was in coach S7, and by the time we reached Rajnandgaon, it was already dark. People around me were pulling out their dinner, some were buying snacks from the vendors on the platform. I was still deciding whether to eat when I thought I heard someone calling my name. At first, I ignored it. But then I heard it again — someone asking if this was S7 and calling my name.

Curious, I walked to the door and looked out. I saw a familiar face. It took me a moment, but I realized he was related to my brother-in-law. I had probably met him years ago, but he looked just like my brother-in-law, so I could connect the dots.

I waved, and he came closer. I thought maybe my sister had told their family I was passing through, and they’d brought some food or just came to say hello. But then, just as the train was about to leave and we heard the siren, he quickly said, “When you left the village, a mail arrived for you — a job offer.”

He didn’t know all the details, but he mentioned the company was Hindustan Motors. I instantly remembered the interview I’d had with their General Manager a while ago. At the time, I’d followed up but hadn’t heard anything back.

Apparently, the letter had just arrived, possibly delayed due to the village’s slow postal system. He told me the joining date was already past by a week. The train whistled again and started moving.

Back in my seat, I couldn’t stop thinking. I had a job — but technically, I’d already missed my reporting date. Still, the decision came to me quickly. I turned to a fellow passenger who didn’t have a reserved seat and said, “You can take my berth. I’m getting off early — I have to go meet someone.”

The next morning, the train reached Bhopal, and from there I caught a shared taxi to Indore. By 11 AM, I was in the city, and after another hour-long bus ride, I reached the gate of Hindustan Motors — a massive automobile factory on the outskirts of town.

At the gate, I told the security guard I was there to meet Mr. Bhoumik, the GM. He asked if I had an appointment. I said no, but I had a job offer. He let me in.

Turns out the company had two facilities — the newer one where Mr. Bhoumik was posted, and an older one where they made Suzuki engines. I was told he was at the old office, so I made my way there.

Inside, the receptionist wasn’t sure where he was and suggested I go back to the other building and wait. But I didn’t want to risk missing him. I asked if I could just wait in the lobby. She agreed, mentioning she was heading out for lunch — which reminded me, I hadn’t eaten since the night before.

I waited. Then, finally, I saw a group of people walking toward the exit. Among them was Mr. Bhoumik. I recognized him immediately and approached him.

“Excuse me, Mr. Bhoumik,” I said. “Hope you remember me.”

He turned and said politely, “You look familiar, but I can’t quite place you.”

“I’m Ram. You interviewed me a while ago. I just received the offer letter — it came late. Has the position been filled?”

Just then, one of his colleagues reminded him they had to meet in the canteen. He nodded and said he’d join them shortly. Then he looked at me, paused for a moment, and said, “After all this uncertainty, you still made the effort to come all the way here. That says something. Tell me honestly — do you really need this job?” I nodded without hesitation.

He smiled and said, “Alright then. You have the job. Come tomorrow at 8 AM.”