Birthday Wishes/ Gratitude/ English/GD

Happy birthday Anil K Ghei Sir

Thanks for being a wonderful person and a great human being. I owe my selection in Ciba Geigy (Novartis) to you. I was not even 20 + I was not good at speaking English fluently. I studied in a Punjabi (local language) school, then B Pharmacy from Maharashtra. Many of my teachers (good in the subject matter) were also deficient in speaking English. I used to think in Punjabi and then translate it into English. I used to take the time to talk in English.

In my GD on 8/10/91, there were 9 candidates. The subject was- Impact of the devaluation of the rupee on the pharmaceutical market. I was the only fresher in that group. There was a lot of chaos in the GD as nobody allowed others to complete their sentences. I said, excuse me, can I say something a few times to enter the GD but couldn't speak a single word in the 25 minutes. I thought it's the end of my process with Ciba. Ghei Sir stopped the discussion, said thanks to everyone and asked me to share the discussion summary. I heard everyone for 25 minutes, so I could summarize it well.

Only 2 candidates got selected from that GD. Mohammad Iqbal Paul (Srinagar) and me.

I met Ghei Saab again in March 1992, and I asked him about that GD and my selection. He said we need good people in sales who are also good listeners. You're listening and not interrupting others. That's why I shortlisted you. My background in Punjabi and Marathi medium helped. Had I been good in English, I might have done what others were doing, making chaos in the GD. 

We had 9 rounds of interviews on that day (8.30 AM - 6 PM). I was tired and hungry ( I didn't have enough money to buy something to eat in the Palika Bhavan area of New Delhi). I survived on the complimentary tea served to the candidates. I must have taken 5-6 teacups. Ghei Sir got some idea and arranged biscuits in the afternoon. It's a big help.

Well, the last round was with Cyrus Desai Sir. He asked me a few questions about my career path, Pharmacy, and family. The last question he asked was: You're from Punjab, so how did you go to Maharashtra for studies. My answer was - By train. Cyrus Sir had a good laugh and said to Gujrani Sir: He is a humorous person + topper in Pharmacy. Hire him

Ghei Sir again helped me by suggesting that I stay at his brother's house in Hissar for the initial days. I stayed there for 3 days along with Ajay Bhai

Our paths crossed again when Ghei Sir was ZBM- West. I applied for a promotion and asked him for guidance. He gave me some inputs and also suggested talking to Sunil Malkany Sir. Malkany Sir gave me some of the best sales and marketing lessons. He talked about BCG Matrix differently. I still take some of his examples while discussing BCG Matrix in my classes.

The best part of life is Ghei Sir's younger daughter (Neelima) also studied at IMT Ghaziabad (during MBA), so we met again at IMT during her graduation.

Thanks, Ghei Sir, I always remember you for being so nice, kind, and thoughtful. You are a fantastic role model and a great leader.

Wish you good health and happiness

I am grateful