Detox - a story for our times

Vijay woke up with start, he was sweating, his hand could hardly reach out to the water on the side of the bed. He reached out to Ritu, his wife of 40 years sleeping next to him, ... “somethings happening to me”. She was instantly up and one look at Vijay, and she was on the phone.

In the next 40 minutes, Vijay was wheeled into the emergency at Apollo. On the third day he was sitting in his friend Dr. Shaumik’s office. “I don’t know what to do with you Vijay”, Dr. Shaumik said looking at his reports. “Your vitals are fine as of now. But when you came in, I didn’t think we would be having this conversation today. Your BP was way over the chart. Your heart was racing like an express train. Thank God, for Ritu, you came to us on time.”

Vijay was getting impatient. He wanted to get this over with. Today was Wednesday and the weekly review meeting starts at 10:00 AM. It was that spicy kachori he had that must have caused that night episode, he thought. “I am Ok, Shaumik . Let’s go Ritu. I don’t want to be late for the meeting”

“Sit down, and shut up”, shouted Shaumik, getting out of the chair. Vijay was taken aback. He had known Shaumik was most of his life. They studied together in school. While he went to IIT and then did his management, Shaumik followed his family profession and went to AIIMS then took the next 25 years studying and practicing adding more and more letters after his name. Vijay after his MBA joined as a Management Trainee and worked his way up. TSG Ltd, was his second job. In the last 18 years he had worked in almost all functional areas and became the business head of the largest business group of the company.

Vijay sat down. Shaumik calmed down. He pulled out his pad and started writing. After he had finished writing one sheet, he kept it aside and took up another sheet and began to write. Ritu was looking worried, Shaumik was looking at his watch impatiently. He wished he could at least use his phone, but that sign in Shaumik’s office warned “No Cell Phones”!

Vijay had a million things to do, not waste time sitting in a doctor’s office. There was the morning meeting that set the agenda for the week. Before the meeting, he had to make sure the agenda items were correctly arranged. His EA was smart but sometimes he didn’t understand priorities.

Then there was that 40 min plant visit every day at 11. This time spent in the plant told Vijay that all was well in manufacturing. Of course, sometimes, no make that most days- the 40-minute would stretch to an hour and a half. If there was any major maintenance happening, Vijay would be there telling the team what to do. The head of maintenance would always admit – the boss knows more than me in my area.

Then he had to review sales. These days Sales managers were not as meticulous as during his days, Vijay believed. HR also needed very close monitoring – Vijay’s policy was to see all resumes before short listing. “That way, no good candidate would get missed”, was Vijay’s logic.

In fact, Vijay was his subordinates’ delight. He knew all their jobs and was always willing to lend a helping hand- not just willing, he insisted. “Transfer all your monkeys to my shoulder”, he said proudly, “I have strong shoulders, trained over a lifetime!”. His subordinates gladly obliged.

Vijay waited impatiently for the doc to continue. Shaumik took his time, looking at the sheets he had written. Vijay was clenching his fist under the table, his feet were shaking, his mind was on what was happening to that Turbine order. Normally, the marketing head and he would be working out the next steps. And then he had to speak to the MD. Before that there was the supplier issue that had to be handled. Shaumik just wanted to get this over with and get on with his life. His company needed him. Ritu pinched his hand under the table and signaled him to calm down. Shaumik continued to look at his sheets.

Finally, he looked up. “I don’t know what to do with you Vijay. Normally my job would be easy. You had a cardiac event – yes an event, not an incident”. He continued, “that is just around the corner!” “I have in front of me two lines of treatment”, he said, pointing to the papers he was reviewing. “As you say in your management – Plan A & Plan B”.

Plan A is straight forward- Angiogram with possible Angioplasty, or a possible bypass surgery based on the extent of blockage that the Angio will reveal. I admit you right away, the procedure can be started immediately; based on outcome you will be back in action in 4 to 6 weeks.

What, said, Vijay, jumping up. “4 to 6 weeks, no, no, I can’t be away that long- there is a sales conference in three weeks, then there is the foreign delegation visit next week, appraisals are coming up – I have to get back to work”. “Sit down, Vijay”, said Ritu- a lot more harshly than her normal soft self. “Let us listen to Dr. Shaumik”

“As I said, Plan A is the standard option, I would recommend”. But you are my friend and I know you for the last 5 decades. So, I am going out on a limb and suggesting Plan B”, he said pushing the other paper, to Vijay and Ritu.

Vijay and Ritu read the paper. It had only one word written on it – “DETOX”. They looked at Shaumik – not clear what it meant? “Detox – but I am not an addict, I don’t even smoke”, said Vijay. “Yes, you are, Shaumik – you are an addict, and it is worse than cocaine, let me tell you – you are addicted to your work; And that is what is killing you.”

This is my plan B, the same 6 weeks you will be out if you choose Plan A (the Angiogram/ Bypass route) you spend on a holiday in a wellness spa with Ritu.” “The six weeks is non-negotiable, in either case you have to be away for that long – in plan A, you will spend the two weeks in my hospital and the balance 4 weeks at home – or in Plan B you spend the 6 weeks in the presence of pretty spa assistants, and the watchful eye of your charming wife. You choose”. “Of course, I prefer Plan A as I will bill you at least 15 Lakhs – but as a friend I am willing to forgo that”, Shaumik said with a smile.

Left with no choice, Vijay and Ritu set off on their holiday.

Till they reached Nelliampathi (in the western ghats) he was on the phone, reviewing sales, giving his input to the purchasing manager, asking his EA for the latest figures on budgetary variances. He also tried to call his MD- but the MD had left strict instructions with his PA that if Shaumik called to remind him that he was on vacation. “Even the top management is not bothered about the company”, he complained to Ritu – “God knows how TSG will manage for the next six weeks. Thank God this place has Wi-Fi, thought Shaumik. He had checked out the place on the net. “At least I can see the daily reports and send my instructions to the teams. Hope they will be able to execute it”

The drive to Nelliampathi took four hours from the Coimbatore airport. As they were driving up the picturesque mountain trails, Ritu opened the windows of their car to breathe in the fresh mountain air. Vijay was also breathing in and out, but it was hot air as he was fuming at the incompetence of his finance team. Why couldn’t they rework the terms of the working capital loan on their own. For this also they needed him. Thank God he had that one-year stint in finance – he knew all about loans and how you had to browbeat the banks to release all the spread they had.

Finally, they were reaching the town and Vijay was just looking forward to getting to the resort and opening the laptop. The cab was not stopping, Vijay was getting irritated.” How much longer”, he asked. “Just here, Sir, only 5 Km more – said the driver”. The health spa was another 800 Mt uphill, through small winding and bumpy roads. Finally, they reached the place and they were shown the rooms. “Wow” said Ritu “Look at the magnificent view”. Vijay had no time for the view, he was busy setting up his laptop. “Ritu”, screamed Vijay, “there is no Wi-Fi.”

The spa manager came. “Sorry Sir, the Wi fi is broken down”. Vijay was fuming. “Let me set up the Wi Fi hot spot”, decided Vijay. “There is no signal for the hotspot...where have we landed, Ritu, let’s go back.” “Sorry, Sir, signal is very weak in the hills “. “Then we go back”, insisted Vijay. Ritu had to explain to Vijay that the cab had gone back, they could not go back now. She asked him to just relax and enjoy the holiday.

Dinner was simple, but delicious. Dal and phulkas with fresh salads. Dessert was fresh oranges and strawberry, laced with mountain honey. As they walked the 200 meters from the dining room to their cottage, they felt the mountain air caress their faces, the sky was darker than they had ever seen before with stars that seemed to be shining only for them. They could hear strange sounds – crickets maybe, an occasional cooing, and of course the incessant shush of the pine trees swaying. For a moment, TSG Ltd and the world seemed far away. Even, Vijay, was enchanted by the moment.

Only for the moment. As soon as they were in the cottage, the thoughts of TSG Ltd., the problems of HR, the burden of sales, the worry of costs and the sheer weight of carrying the business on his shoulder, disturbed Vijay like never ever. As Ritu settled into the comfort of the pillow, Vijay was pacing up and down, his hands shaking, his eyes alert and darting, him mind painting scenarios after scenarios of the impending doom that was awaiting TSG and its clients.

Finally, tired of the long journey, and exhausted with the tension of not being able to connect to his old life, Vijay fell into bed and slept. He tossed and turned, woke up several times. Tomorrow was the day the proposal had to go. What is Karthik doing, why is the draft taking so long. He woke up with a start to see his wife breathing peacefully next to him.

When he woke up, the cottage was lit by the golden glow of the rising sun. The chatter of birds, the smell of eucalyptus in the air combined with the fragrance of fresh brewed coffee his wife was bringing him. They both went for a long walk. He had tried Wi Fi again, but was told the router was down. “ Might as well walk,” thought Vijay. The mountain was painted in the undulating green of tea gardens. Small mountain goats were lazily chomping on the abundant grass all around.

Vijay slowly got used to lazy mornings. The girls at the spa were charming and pampered Vijay and Ritu with a continuous supply of small eats, seasoned with mirth and laughter. Vijay visited the library and activity center. He picked up some paper and tried his hand at sketching. There were some excellent books on pencil drawing and soon Vijay found himself liking it. Ritu was amused to see her type A executive husband, under the tree trying to capture the beak of that mynah bird that refused to stay in one place.

Days passed, then weeks and soon it was time for them to get back. Ritu was happy that after trying for a few days Vijay gave up trying to connect to Wi Fi. He had also stopped talking of work. He was sleeping better and eating healthier. His sketching had got much better- there was a sketchbook full of birds and flowers of the resort.

Finally, they were on their way back home. The journey as usual was long. They reached home and Vijay got the welcome calls from his friends and colleagues. Ritu was surprised to see that not once did Vijay ask about the events in the company.

The next day Vijay joined office, after a gap of 55 days. His secretary had decorated his room with flowers, and there was a big “welcome back” card signed by his top team. He walked into the conference room for the weekly meeting. He got a standing ovation.

The GM was presenting the quarter results. Sales and Profits were up by 10%. Plant production was a record high. Appraisals were complete. There were the usual customer issues, but all were addressed well. All in all, Vijay realized that he was not missed at all. In fact, the company seemed to have done far better in his absence.

Vijay was quiet throughout the meeting, other than genuinely complimenting his team for a great showing. Internally, he was a troubled man. He was not missed; his team didn’t need him to troubleshoot. Was he really needed at all, should he just call it quits? Ritu called – everything OK at the plant? Vijay mumbled an “Ya, ya – all fine”, worrying Ritu to no end.

Ritu was waiting for him to get back. Vijay was beaming. Ritu was relieved. “What happened?” she asked. Vijay told her.

“Everything at the plant is far better than when I left. I was wondering whether I was needed at all”, Vijay explained. “At 3:00 pm, I got a call from the MD.”

“I was expecting to be given a golden handshake, but the old man gave me a promotion”. He then related to Ritu what the MD said.

“Vijay, I was worried about you. I haven’t come across a more competent manager than you, and I wanted someone like you to work with me and take over from me when I retire in the next two years.” “But, your business, the biggest in the company, seemed so dependent on you that I couldn’t afford to pull you out. I had in fact asked a search firm to look for a Deputy MD, to groom as my successor.

“Then I see the performance of your business these last 3 months- phenomenal is not the word. You have a great team, and all credit to you for building such a competent team under you. My only grouse is that you had kept them hidden from me all these years,” he said with a smile. “If I had known I would have promoted you two years back”

As Vijay and Ritu were boarding the flight to Delhi to take up the new assignment, Dr. Shaumik got that large gift hamper with a “thank you” note from Vijay. At the same time the health resort manager at Nelliampathi also got a thank you note from Ritu for ensuring that the Wi Fi router was permanently down during their stay at the resort.