WORK-LIFE BALANCE-2

I embarked on my journey as a Service Representative trainee with a national distributor of Earthmoving, Mining, and Agricultural Equipment in 1964. The training encompassed extensive fieldwork, allowing me to connect with various machines and the challenges of remote locations. One defining assignment took me to Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, India, where we worked on an ambitious canal project stretching 650 km from Harike in Punjab to Jodhpur. With depths nearing 7 meters and widths fluctuating from 140 to 45 meters, this monumental task required determination and teamwork.

Our group of six, including a skilled training instructor, faced communication barriers, relying on surface mail and telegrams to convey urgent messages. Long, arduous days—often stretching up to 12 hours—were spent in the desert, where we transformed agricultural tractors into Service Vans, outfitted with King Dick Master tool kits, to conquer the terrain.

Though the work was challenging, every moment proved rewarding. In August 1965, during my third month, war unexpectedly erupted, prompting the construction of bunkers for safety. As we navigated this uncertainty, we remained focused, only to be informed one evening that an airlift was imminent. After a tense wait, an Indian Air Force helicopter delivered us to Jodhpur, followed by a train journey back to Mumbai. The Director of Personnel & Administration graciously coordinated our airlift, reflecting the company's commitment to its people.

Upon our return, the company celebrated our resilience and dedication, rewarding us with a holiday to Lonavala. My parents, worried about my safety, found solace in the telegram I sent: "I AM SAFE. BACK IN BOMBAY." This experience taught me that, even in the absence of a clear work-life balance, one’s dedication and spirit can turn challenges into milestones.