TOON BANK!!!

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

I have maintained throughout that Bankers have one of the most stressful job profile. In my case, it has only multiplied upon transfer from Phillaur (8133) to Ludhiana Main (8150). It is with this thought at the back of my mind, I have compiled the cartoon strips that you have just seen and hopefully enjoyed too!

These cartoons are the result of Google search and have been incorporated in the post purely for the purpose of providing some comic relief to fellow Syndians. THE SYNDIAN acknowledges the ingenuity of the respective cartoonists and does not in any way claim or wishes to appropriate the credit for the same. Thanks for poking fun on the tribe of Bankers!!!

I wish the reader hope, health and happiness.

Jai Hind! Jai Synd!

IMAGES COURTESY: GOOGLE SEARCH

नन्हा सा चिराग...

दूर कहीं एक,

नन्हा सा चिराग...

और मैं!

मुझे निगलता अँधेरा...

अँधेरे को निगलता चिराग!

जीत कर हारता मैं...

हारकर जीतता चिराग!

जल-जल कर बुझता मैं...

बुझ-बुझ कर जलता चिराग!

दूसरों पर निर्भर मैं...

वहीं, खुद ही बलता चिराग!

आँधियों में बिखरता मैं...

थपेड़ों से लड़ता चिराग!

पल-पल मुरझाता मैं...

हर पल खिलता चिराग!

डरा-सहमा सा मैं...

बेख़ौफ़ जलता चिराग!

खुद के लिए जीता मैं...

ग़ैरों के लिए जलता चिराग!!! 

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

Once upon a time, I was going through proverbial 'low' in life. One stormy evening, when power was not there and back-up had already backed out, we were left with no option but to light a candle to ward off darkness. It was when I mentally wrote this. I kept comparing myself and my situations with the one in which candle was placed. Then as I witnessed the resolute effort on the part of the candle to keep ignited in strong winds, I realized that the situations had got better off me!!!

It turned out to be a life-defining moment for me. From "Oh God! No more!!!" to "Bring it on!!!" is just a change in Attitude!

God Bless you!

THE SYNDIAN invites its readers to contribute similar spiritual experiences.

Jai Hind! Jai Synd! 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMRITSAR!!!

The emotional connect with the Bank was always there. But, I could never visualize myself passing cheques, counting notes, preparing accounts etc. Therefore, I consider it a 'divine providence' that I am today a part of the Syndian Family.

I have mentioned on an earlier occasion, one of the prime reasons to accept the offer for appointment in SyndicateBank was the element of serendipity that only a pan-Indian Institution can present. The very fact that I was supposed to report to Manipal made me jump with joy. And you have seen earlier, how was it ONCE UPON A TIME IN MANIPAL!!! . In the same post, I promised a travelogue on Amritsar. Here it is!

I had heard stories, read texts and seen movies about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. And I can safely say, that every-time it filled my heart with rage against the brutal face of the Raj. Also as a student of Modern Indian Polity, I came across the operation Blue-Star at Golden Temple (now Harmandir Sahib) and its aftermath. I wanted to visit both these historical places. Posted at Phillaur (BIC: 8133), the heart of Doaba, Amritsar was 100-odd kilometers away. This was my chance. And I made the most of it along with my parents.

Here is a glimpse of what I witnessed. 

HARMANDIR SAHIB

Spot a head that is uncovered! The view of the main shrine. Also notice towards the right side of the image, a bee-line of devotees waiting for their tryst with almighty.

The first thing that strikes you after you reach the precincts of Darbaar Sahib, is a palpable sense of peace despite the cacophony of a city bustling with pilgrims. There is a silent calm that overwhelms you as you near the shrine. And this is just the beginning! It is a date with divinity. The sewadaars (volunteers) serve with martial discipline, right from mopping the 'already-clean' floors to taking care of your shoes, offering you water for drinking and ablutions to ensuring that you have your head covered, maintaining sanity and order even as number of devotees keeps on burgeoning to serving masses in Guru da Langar (community kitchen). This is the spirit of Sikhism at display, this is the celebration of humanity, this is the practical exhibition of Granth Sahib.

I had a dip in the Sarovar followed by a darshan after a long wait in the serpentine queue of devotees and tourists. I think I kept on oscillating between the two extremes waiting for my turn. I have been all at different times: a believer, an atheist, an agnostic, a spiritual seeker. 

Those desirous of knowing more, can click here:  Harmandir Sahib .

JALLIANWALA BAGH

Brutality Bulleted.

Life-size artistic impression of April 13, 1919

All is not well.

Through an open window of the otherwise covered well (above)

The silence followed us as we traversed from the Golden Temple to Jallianwala. This was however a bit different. While at the Darbaar Sahib, it had a soothing effect on the battered souls; here at Jallianwala, the sound of silence was deafening and eerie. Just how could this happen? For the inquisitive soul: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre .

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

THE SYNDIAN invites fellow Syndians to contribute their own travel experiences afforded to them due to proximity to their place of posting or LFC/ LTC facility that the Institution provides. You can send your travelogue (preferably with photographs) to me at syndashish@gmail.com along with a brief profile about yourself. They shall find place in subsequent posts on THE SYNDIAN under the captioned label.

Till, the next time we converse:

Jai Hind! Jai Synd! 

Images Courtesy: My Phone

Links on Harmandir Sahib and Jallianwala Bagh: Wikipedia

LETTER TO BANK MANAGER!!!

An elderly lady actually wrote this letter to her bank.

Dear Sir,
I am writing to thank you for bouncing my cheque with which I endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three 'nanoseconds' must have elapsed between his presenting the cheque and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honour it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my Pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only eight years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account £30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank.

My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, re-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan payments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank by cheque, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate.

Be aware that it is an offense under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope.

Please find attached an Application Contact Status which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Solicitor, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof.

In due course, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modelled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Let me level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as follows:

1. To make an appointment to see me.
2. To query a missing payment.
3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.
4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping.
5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature.
6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home.
7. To leave a message on my computer (a password to access my computer is required. A password will be communicated to you at a later date to the Authorized Contact.)
8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through 8
9.  To make a general complaint or inquiry, the contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call.

Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement.

May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous, New Year.

Your Humble Client




THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

I received this letter as a mail forwarded by Mr. Francis Passanha, Sr. Manager (Training), SIBM, Manipal and thought of sharing with all of you at an opportune time. What better an occasion than a March 30, when all of us are busy 'Closing'! If you did not notice, THE SYNDIAN completes an year in existence. It was last year, this date when the maiden post about a HT Customer Satisfaction Survey was published. Since then, THE SYNDIAN has been coming to you unfailingly on every 30th. Of course, it was not possible in February!!! I take this opportunity to thank all 'younger than evers' who have patronized THE SYNDIAN and would conclude with something from the devil's workshop!


THE THEORY BEHIND TWO DOORS!!!
"Why does the Branch Manager's cabin has two doors?", THE SYNDIAN asked.
Fresh out of JAIIB success, I replied: "Because, for every debit entry there is a corresponding credit exit!"

Jai Hind! Jai Synd! 

SIBM: A TRIBUTE!!!

In a few days from now, precisely on January 04, 2011, our batch will be completing an year in the service of this great Institution. What time could be more opportune to revisit the place where it all started: Syndicate Institute of Bank Management, Manipal, Karnataka. While the adventures and escapades have been accounted for in an earlier post: ONCE UPON A TIME IN MANIPAL!!!, it is time that tributes be showered upon the Alma mater of banking for the Syndians!

The SyndicateBank website provides the following overview of SIBM:

Syndicate Institute of Bank Management (SIBM), located at Manipal, in the backdrop of luxuriant Western Ghats, is the apex training institution of SyndicateBank for honing skills in banking and management for the bank's executives and senior personnel. The Institute was set up in November 1987. The institute has a sprawling campus of 15 acres, offering a panoramic view of the green valley on the east and Arabian Sea in the west. The fully residential Institute, with all modern infrastructure expected in an Institution of this nature, like well-equipped classrooms, library, computer laboratory, conference hall and auditorium, also offers a variety of recreation facilities, including a modern gymnasium, 5-hole golf course, mini-cricket ground, volleyball courts, indoor games, jogging track and so on. Shady fruit bearing trees, medicinal plants, rose garden and other recreational facilities are provided to rejuvenate the body and mind. The hostel has 65 fully air-conditioned and tastefully furnished rooms. 

Those interested in knowing more may follow this link: http://www.syndicatebank.in/scripts/APEXTrainingcentre-SIBM.aspx. But for our batch, it means much more. And I will once again let the pics do the talking. Have a look:

PRESENT AND FUTURE TOGETHER.....

PRESENT AND FUTURE TOGETHER.....

VITHALA SIR GIVES INSTRUCTIONS ON THE EVE OF D-DAY. WHO'S INTERESTED?

JUST BEFORE THE FIRST STEP

ATTENTIVE THEY ARE! ICE-BREAKING IN PROGRESS.

WAITING FOR THEIR TURN. INSIDE AUDI BEING HANDED OVER THE RELIEVING AND MARCHING ORDERS.

STATE OF THE ART. A SESSION IS ABOUT TO BEGIN....

REFRESHMENT AREA. CAUGHT YOU TEA-HANDED, AFTER WE HAD OURS!

THE TRICOLOUR. VIEW OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE FROM INSIDE SIBM.

LADIES AND THE GENTLEMEN!

THE GANG OF GUYS!

THE HEAVENLY ABODE. IT TRULY IS!

THE FOOD FACTORY! YUMMY FOOD, MATCHLESS SERVICE. 

THE JOYRIDE CONCLUDES. THIS AUTO HAS BEEN FINANCED BY SYNDICATE BANK, WHICH WAS REASON ENOUGH FOR US TO HOP ON AND SAY CHEESE! OF COURSE, THE LADIES CRIED LATER ON, AS THIS WAS THEIR LAST HURRAH AT SIBM! 

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

I consider myself absolutely privileged, lucky, fortunate and what not, to have got an opportunity to be inducted into the Syndicate Family at the apex training centre. The experience is etched in the memories of all of us and remains fresh as if it was just yesterday that each one of us became a part of the Syndicate syndicate!
A word of gratitude to the Team SIBM, the parts of which works as a synchronized whole to ensure optimization of returns that a trainee gets from his/ her stay at the campus. Administration, Faculty Members, Support-staff: Thank You!!!
During the course of serving this great Institution, there may come a few opportunities to be a part of training programmes at different TCs, and may be SIBM again. But nothing can match the charm of induction training. Would want to come back again, and again and again......

THE SYNDIAN wishes all the readers a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011. May our Institution continue to make GIANT strides in Nation's service with the combined PIGMY efforts of ours! May we all stay faithful and friendly! May hope, health and happiness prevail!

Jai Hind! Jai Synd!

SYND PIGMY IN A WOMAN'S MAGAZINE!!!

Its a strange feeling. Unusual and bizarre, and to a great extent quite unlike me, but it is there. And I can't resist sharing it with you. Ironically, it is a sensation of numbness. I write this morning from Jammu and the weather is dull and gloomy. My phone does not work here! Parents do not have internet! I feel cut off, forlorn and alone in this world! Terrible! Man is a social animal, they say! And if the animal in question is as social as I am, there cannot be a bigger punishment! 

Twice upon a time when I still used to wear shorts to school, there would be thin attendances on 'Rainy Days'! And those folks who managed to reach school somehow were sent back to their homes. It used to be so exciting. Coming back from school and immediately eating the contents of tiffin! By the time the clock neared 9:30 AM, it was my routine to plead mummy not to go to office! Then she would say, "Naukri is Naukri!" Being in Jammu, I now realize what she meant!

For those still wondering about my being in Jammu (7640), I have been dispatched on deputation for a week from Ludhiana Main (8150) where I joined only last week after being transferred from Phillaur (8133)! Going places! Well, literally at least!!! 
I have something interesting to share with you. Have a look:

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE

The Pigmy Scheme typifies in many a senses the equity of Brand Syndicate Bank. Wikipedia provides an article about the same. The link is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigmy_Deposit_Scheme
I found this feature and thought of sharing with you. You may well laugh at my reading habits! Well! During my college days at Delhi, frugality was the mantra when it came to buying books. So I will spend hours searching for old editions, bargaining for the best price. This habit has stuck. I automatically gravitate towards roadside vendors selling books of all colours and hues. This edition of 'Bindiya' was purchased from Clock Tower, Ludhiana.
What every reader can do is to take a print of the image uploaded above and prominently display on his/ her premises. In case of any difficulty, the same can be had from me. Why? Simple. It is more convincing if 'others' speak good of 'us'. I again invite the Syndians to consider THE SYNDIAN as a common forum and contribute in form of ideas, articles, images, features and what not! Where else, but at syndashish@gmail.com!
Signing off,
Jai Hind! Jai Synd!

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MANIPAL!!!

The call letter was received on such a short notice that it became evident that I shall fly to Manipal as Indian Railways was not willing to accommodate me in any of the trains going south! Even as the family weighed the pros and cons of going by airplane to such a far off place, the air fares also kept on shooting with every passing minute. Eventually, I could book a place for me from Delhi to Mangalore via Mumbai for over 13500/- bucks, to be borne by me!
Anyways, I was excited as this would be the first time that I would be defying gravity! Before eventually I did that, I was flooded with barrage of advices from well-meaning 'experienced' flyers, right from fastening the seat-belt to chanting of Gayatri Mantra during take-off, from flying etiquette to asking for 'extra' glass of juice without paying! Poor me! It was like a bride-to-be nodding to every piece of 'time-tested' technique of winning over the groom! 
January 02, 2010 was an immensely cold and foggy morning in New Delhi. It was a struggle to reach the airport. As was expected, the flight got delayed due to inclement weather. While it was supposed to leave Delhi by 06:30 AM, it was only by 11:00 AM that I bid adieu to the turf. An elderly Maulana from Saharanpur seated next to me helped me with my seat-belt. I could not fully enjoy the journey to Mumbai because the mind was preoccupied with the worry that I was surely going to miss the connecting flight to Mangalore due to late take-off from Delhi!
As expected the flight to Mangalore had already departed by the time we touched ground at Mumbai! "Ab English bolni padegi", I said to myself and inquired about my fate from an artificially beautiful ground staff of the airline. Meanwhile, I realized I was not alone in this. An elderly couple and a petite girl with a big black bag. I remember noticing her name and phone number scribbled on the bag! (Remember old movies with the protagonist traveling for the first time out of his village with a 'trunk' decorated with his name, father's name, complete address! Ha ha ha....) Upon interaction, we realized that both of us were headed to SIBM*! The name on the bag was Charu! And the elderly couple were from Mangalore. They ended up as our guardians! Lovely people! Charu and I visited them on a Saturday evening! We are still in touch! 

IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK! (JUHU BEACH, MUMBAI)

That we would get to fly out of Mumbai only the next morning gave us an evening at the Juhu beach! Having written a lot of poetry regarding its moods it was actually my first encounter with the sea! The inhibitions inherent in the first meeting prevented me from frolicking in the waves! People comfortable in Hindustani may be better able to appreciate this. A translation follows, however.

अगर मैं वक़्त होता सनम, तेरे हाथों से निकल जाता!

बुलाने पर कभी तेरे मैं चाह कर भी ना आ पाता!

मगर मैं सागर हूँ क्या करूँ? मेरी सीरत कुछ ऐसी है!

साहिल लाख नहीं चाहे, मैं रह-रह के भिगोता हूँ!

(If only I would have been time, I would have flown by! Even if you would have called, I would not have come back! But, I am Ocean, my nature is such! Even if the shore stays aloof and detached, I keep on coming back time and again and drenching it with love.)

AAJ MAIN UPAR, AASMA NEECHE........ON THE WAY TO MANGALORE!

CAUGHT IT! NOTICE THE SHADOW ON GROUND!!!

The next day we flew to Mangalore. Uncle-Aunt were gracious enough to cramp for space inside their own car as they offered us lift from Bajpe Airport to Mangalore. While taking leave, Charu and I promised to visit them. We boarded a bus to Manipal. The landscape was dotted with greenery, the surroundings were serene. Everything about the place was laid-back, in sharp contrast to the urban cacophony characteristic of Delhi! One more thing worth mentioning here is the jacket that seemed like 'insufficient funds' in Delhi had become an NPA! The sun that was on 'Loss Of Pay' leaves in North, was actually working tirelessly here in South!

After six days of tutoring by some of the very eminent faculties on various facets of banking, Saturday, January 09, 2010 was an outing to Mangalore to the residence of Pushpa Aunt and Kulkarni Uncle! What yummy Coconut and Pudina Chutney with Uttapam!!! Uncle told me of several relatives who had served the Bank in various capacities! I am family with them. Only yesterday over phone, I elicited a promise from Aunt to serve me the same Chutney when I visit them again! May God bless them!!!

AARTHI, AMOGH, CHARU, UNCLE AND AUNT

January 10, 2010, Sunday was the Syndians day out! We hired a KSRTC bus and went on a whirlwind tour of nearby places like Annegude, Mookambika, Murdeswara, Someswara and Marvante! (I wonder whether I got the names right!?) I will let the pictures do the talking. Have a look:

SOUTHERN SPICE! SYNDIANS ENJOYING THEIR DAY OUT

NEAR ANNEGUDE VINAYAKA TEMPLE: SYNDIANS ALL THE WAY!

MUSICAL DEVOTION: YESUDAS AT MOOKAMBIKA

THE MAJESTIC MURDESWARA

VIKAS, VARTIKA, TANU, SUPRIYA, ASHISH, RIZWANA AND VITHALA

On the last day of Induction Training, January 16, 2010, a few of us sneaked to Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi and Malpe Beach. A closely knit group by now, for time being at least, this was the last hurrah to Manipal. 

GIANT AND PIGMY TOGETHER! CHARU NEAR A CHARIOT AT SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE, UDUPI

THE JOY OF ANONYMITY IN THE STREETS OF UDUPI!

GOODBYE! SUN SETS AT MALPE ON 16.01.2010

Posted in different parts of the country, even as we communicate over phone with each other, the conversations often veer towards the Madness of Manipal! We would want to come again, and again and again!

THE SYNDIAN FOOTNOTE 

I will be honest. The possibility of getting posted in every nook and corner of India was one of the prime reasons for my gleefully accepting the appointment as a Probationary Officer, divorcing a rather peaceful (actually 2000 times!) and satisfying career as a Management Faculty. 

I have since childhood romanticized the idea of visiting uncharted terrain, unknown territories,  and unexplored frontiers. The offer for appointment in SyndicateBank was my ticket to serendipity! Actually, I am sometimes astounded by the variety that India has to offer, in terms of topography, people, culture, languages, religions, cuisines, customs, traditions and what not! When some pessimists claim that we have achieved little after so many years of independence, my reply is that the idea of India is in itself an achievement, that we co-exist is an achievement, that we govern ourselves through rule of law is an achievement! In fact, so diverse is the Indian milieu, that the usage of the term 'country'  or 'nation' for India is a misnomer. 

The current post marks the beginning of new label: 'Oh Syndian Ye Hai India'. THE SYNDIAN invites fellow Syndians to contribute their own travel experiences afforded to them due to proximity to their place of posting or LFC/ LTC facility that the Institution provides. You can send your travelogue (preferably with photographs) to me at syndashish@gmail.com along with a brief profile about yourself. They shall find place in subsequent posts on THE SYNDIAN under the captioned label. My next travelogue: ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMRITSAR!!!
*There has been only tangential reference to SIBM in the current post. A separate post exclusively on SIBM will come shortly. 
Jai Hind! Jai Synd!