Friends @ Work

The theme for this month's Mastekeer magazine (I used to work at Mastek till a few years back) is 'Friends @ Work' and I was asked to write an article about my experiences during my stint in Mastek on the same topic. Here is my contribution:

*****************************************

Whenever I remember my life at Mastek, my mind fills with a sudden gush of fondness which at times is overwhelming and I surely owe that feeling to the bonds that I created during ‘7 stupendous’ years I spent there.

And why not!!!

When you spend all waking and active hours of your life in office then it’s inevitable. I have had stints before and after Mastek, but none of them have made me feel this way. Maybe it’s the people here, maybe it’s the culture that prevailed, or maybe various opportunities which my work provided to me to bond with people at a much deeper level – I am not sure what it is, but what I am certain about is that these bonds are lasting forever.

As I talk about friends@work, let me begin with Majesco times (DU-US then!) That’s where I started off. I remember our YAM meetings (Youth At Mastek) meant specifically for freshers in the unit, unit level monthly meetings, Antakshari sessions, sharing of lunch dabba (how could I forget big dabba of soft & fluffy Idlis that this guy used to bring generously for the entire unit). Every occasion called for a party and everyone in the unit was invited – onsite-going party, back-to-offshore party, certification clearing party, resignation party, transfer-to-other unit party… Besides work (which was of course highly satisfying and a great learning) everyday was made special by unit members. We were pals, lunch table buddies, partners-in-crime (I remember a Holi celebration having gone overboard), shoulders to cry on and above all a huge binding force. It was a learning ground for me, they loved me in spite of mistakes I committed, pulled my ears when needed and supported me equally in highs and lows. When I had joined I was a free-spirited girl, when I moved on to a different and larger role I was a grownup and much grounded professional.

Our trekking group was another group of thick friends. It would be factually wrong to say that we came together because of our common love for trekking. Yes, some of us were avid trekkers but they accepted everybody in the group who was willing to climb mountains on their own feet (that was the only criterion). Some of us joined the group because we wanted to experience mountains, some were there to ‘pataao’ the girl and some were there because they simply liked the company of other group members. Every trek became a legend and by the end of it we had hundreds of stories (real and fictitious anecdotes) and nick names (depending on the characteristic demonstrated during the treks) for everyone. Now most of us are out of Mastek but the thread that bound us together is still very strong.

I was blessed to have a super-genius HR team, and there were a few members who were extra special to me. It was never a professional hazard because we knew where to draw a line. How else do you empty your mind, if you don’t have anyone who patiently lends you his/her ears, how you do get rid of your frustration if no one is willing to sit through all the jibber-jabber you have to say. My friends strengthened my fundamentals of HR, they pushed me till the end and when I was about to fall, they extended their little finger to pull me back (and thus brought out best in me), they never hesitated saying truth about me on my face and above all they taught me the most important value of in life – commitment to work. Even today they are my guardian angels in all walks of life!

Mastekeers- across age groups, genders and hierarchy levels, deeply influenced me in various ways. But it’s not fair to call them ‘guides’ or ‘mentors’ just because they were seniors or had more grey hair. The fact that I still turn to them during great, good and not-so-good times of my life makes them my true friends.

How can I write about Friends@work and not mention my Runtime group? While Runtime was fun for all those attended it, for us who worked on it in the background it was not less than a back breaking task. The only reason why we enjoyed it thoroughly and kept on doing it year on year was because of likeminded and equally passionate group who worked on it. We yelled at each other mercilessly, pulled hair, fought endlessly, argued over small and big matters but never deterred from either Runtime or each other. I was a part of 5 Runtimes and the core group was always the same who voluntarily worked at it. The simple reason was high respect for everyone’s passion and professional capability. We used to jokingly say that working on Runtime is like working on ‘Ghar ki Shaadi’ – it was so personal for all of us.

I strongly believe nothing in our lives is coincidental. I know for sure people I met and bonds that got created here is a part of a bigger plan. May be we had some unfulfilled Karmas from previous lifetimes, or maybe we have created new Karmas in this birth. As for me, I am indebted to Mastek for giving me friends for life.

**************************************