Ticket to Hollywood

10 July, 2006. This was the date when I joined my company. I was feeling very lucky that particular day. From the college I belonged, our beloved EPCET, getting a campus placement was like plucking stars from the sky. But 7-8 of us were plucked for the same. The very first day HR’s told that we all should have our passports ready, as there are lots of travel needs in this company. It brought a smile on everyone’s face. :)

We were around 30 people in the Induction training program from different colleges. After rigorous work-outs of 3 months in training (Mainly those Unreal Tournament games in Almaz Software, with such unusual login names), we were allocated to different location based teams. 8 of us came into the kitty of Middle East Development team. Most of us had passports ready, and were ready to fly, but I was one among the ineligible people (Not incapable, just lack of passport). Within 3 days we were assigned work and it all started. There were few people, lucky ones who got opportunity to fly early, and they took it with both hands (Two of them were ready 2 go to Pakistan also. Thank god, a timely blast in Karachi deprived them from early departure – from India to up above the sky).

I finished my one year, and I still didn’t have a passport to travel. I saw everyone around trying hard to get an onsite. I am telling you, I was not willing to travel earlier, but like swine flu (oops… H1N1), it’s a contagious virus, and sooner or latter I was going to get affected by it. Then came a day when I was called by my PM, and he questioned me that why I have given my choice as no travel. Then he told me that joining I-flex means you are committed that if required you will be ready to travel. Finally, I had to come up with the truth that I don’t have the passport. He was out of his wits suddenly. He told- "How could you do this? More than one year in this institution and you don’t hold the basic identification document required here. Is there any problem in me, or some problem in you, or some problem in third party, that you don’t have passport?" I thought, if I don’t stop him now, it would not take him 5 minutes to proclaim me as a criminal or some refugee. I stopped him in between and told that it was my laziness and non-willingness that derailed me from getting a passport. He told me not to exhibit my laziness in such things. Then to add he said – "I am all aware of the kind of good work you are doing, and its time when some added responsibilities should be given on your shoulder. You might have to travel somewhere." This was told in September, 2007. I don’t remember the exact date.

There are only few differences between friends and stabbers. Singular I can tell is that of the timing of the pain felt. Stabbers will force an immediate realization, while friends will never allow you to do so, and even if you are able to, it might be too late for anything. I am not the only one telling this. A large survey has confirmed this. As soon as I told them all about the meeting which I had, they all congratulated me for the opportunity which I had got, and asked for an immediate party. I will take this opportunity to remind you all and tell that I am intelligent, as I convinced them all that I will give the same after getting my passport and final plans. I will thank my 6th sense for the same. Anyway, I collected all necessary documents, applied for an appointment, and landed in the passport office with DM. Due to unavailability of one document, or maybe availability of DM, my application was rejected, and had to come back.

From that day, for next five-six months, continuously I was being poked by my PM about the passport. Actually I had left one of my certificates in my 10th school itself, because of which the processing was not done. I told him the same, and told that I will need a week’s leave to go and get the same. I was shell-shocked, when he agreed for the same, as generally, for a day’s leave also; he bends his face like Beckham. Anyway, I started my journey to the school, and got a very warm welcome there, extended my stay by one more day, and enjoyed like hell. Played with kids, and how much ever they tried, they were not able to bowl me out in cricket. For a day, I felt like Sachin Tendulkar. :) Watched the movie Race with one of my old school friends who stays there, and it was like great week off.

I took the certificate from the school and came back and again applied for an appointment in the passport office. This time I dropped DM as my companion, who was my last time’s bad luck (probable), and rather accompanied myself with Miss W. Reached there in time, and within 15 minutes, the application was processed, and I got a receipt of the same. After around 15 days, I checked the status online and found that it had gone for the police verification. Became alert and decent, and told all my neighbors whose address I had given, to sing the tunes of my decency only. 5 days went and nothing happened. I was tired, and I decided to go myself to the Police station. I had to wait there for almost 45 minutes to meet with the officer related to passport transactions. Meanwhile, I checked all the photos put up on the notice board, that of culprits, and was happy to feel that I don’t know any one of them. So what, if I was little notorious, at least I was a good citizen. ;-)

That officer came and when I asked him about the passport status, in reply he scolded me instead. "You people will apply for passport, and never keep track of the same. Your passport verification form is lying with me for more than a week. You should take a notice of the same and report accordingly." I told that I thought you will come to my house for the verification process, so I didn’t come. "What do you think? I didn’t come to your house. Three times I came to your house, and every time you were away to your office. You work in I-flex right." I was shocked, impressed and angry. Shocked on the agility of the officer, impressed that he went three times in my search, and knows where I work and angry that mummy never told that verification officer had come. I told him a gentle sorry, and he was happy. He finished the verification process and asked me, "How fast you want the passport to be delivered to you?" I told it would be good if I get within a week, as I have to travel shortly. He told yeah it will be done; give something for chai-pani. I asked how much, for that he told whatever I wish. I gave him a 100rs note. He replied, how could you wish so less. I added another same denomination note, and he was happy. Stapled my file, and kept in some bag. Yeah, I had to bribe him for nothing!!! According to IPC…………. Rigorous imprisonment. ;-)

Meanwhile I informed my PM about all the proceedings, and told that it will hardly take time before I get my passport. He told that you will have to travel to Dubai shortly. I was little shocked. This was around in August, 2008. And few days back I had filled the CAT form. So I told him that I want to appear for CAT, after that I can go for the same. That was a grave mistake. He gave me a big lecture and told that you should decide your priorities. If you are working here, then first you should devote yourself here. Remember those ‘Chak De!!!’ dialogues. "First you have to play for your country, then for your own people, and then if still you have something left in you, for yourself". On same track,he told that you should be first for your company, then for your family members, and then still if you get time, then for your alternate career. I was dumb. I told him to look for any alternatives, if no one was found, I was ready to go. He told that’s fine enough. Later I heard from my TL that he is hell bound to send me only and not looking for a replacement also.

Exactly seven days, and postman came to deliver the same to my house. As I was in office, he didn’t deliver, as that should go only to the concerned person. I had to go to post office, and collect the same. It was like an achievement. I was waiting for the next day to come, so that I can go and tell my PM, that I have got the identity and I am no criminal. I reached office, told him that I have got it, and I am ready for travel now. He told that I have good news for you. That travel plan is cancelled, and now you can freely concentrate on your alternate career. Even I was happy. Did I study for CAT? Forget it.

November, another 2 weeks for CAT exam, and my PM called me again. Gaurav, there is urgent requirement in Dubai, and you might have to travel by this weekend. I told about my CAT thing. He was initially not ready to listen also. When I told many times, he agreed that rest people of group will travel immediately and I will travel on the very night of the CAT. I was feeling myself to be so lucky. :). I took a leave for 3 days before CAT, and I was informed that once I am back from leave, my travel plans were finalized.

November 16, was the test, and I joined on the 17th. Without having any idea of what awaited me? When I reached here, and checked my mails, I had been moved from my PM’s team, and was reporting to someone else. When I enquired my PM about the same, he told that team needed few resources, so released you. About travel, since you are in different team, so that travel plan is dropped. I was speechless again. Nothing to say more; came back and started new work. :

December last week, I was called again and this time it was another travel plan for me. I was supposed to travel to Yemen this time. That too, Steve Jobs (fattu) as my TL, PL or PM or whatever. I was supposed to travel in January. This was kind of up gradation and implementation job. I told yes for the same and came back. Time came and went off, but that time never came. That travel was also cancelled and god knows where it went through. From my batch, everyone went and came back at least once, but I was never chosen. I was feeling myself as wingless bird, who does not know to fly. Is there any problem in me? When I raised the same question to fattu, he replied – "No, we need you here more. And you are not a kind of resource which should be sent for support job. We are preserving you for better opportunity. Anyway, nothing is kept in site, if you take my suggestion, it’s just like hell." I told in my heart, the pace I am going on, I am sure can never see the Heaven. Let me see the Hell at least.

My current supervisor, however, has given me lots of hopes. He told me that whoever has worked with him, more than 80% of them have travelled. So the first opportunity it comes, he will put my name forward. I am waiting again for that day, which never came in last 3 years. But I am not depressed, as there are many other with me, best example DM, who might be deserving candidates, but still sitting and grazing here. Interestingly, he also had got 2-3 chances to travel, but wherever he told yes, that site project itself was cancelled. That’s when I realized, what a grave mistake I did, by taking him along to passport office on the first day. :)

"Lauta de mera Ticket to Hollywood"

Note: Recently I got one more opportunity to travel. Generally they provide an expense of 40$ per day. But for me, it was special. Along with 40$, free accommodation and food in a 5-star hotel, Z-grade security, bomb-proof car to travel, and CEO of bank to accompany me, during daily travel to and from bank. But still I rejected it, as it was to Pakistan. ;-)