I was head of the Urban
Banks Department in Trivandrum in the late eighties. One day I got a message
that Kum I.T.Vaz, the Head of the Urban Banks Department in Central
Office, Bombay was paying a visit to our office and I should receive her
at the airport and make necessary arrangements. I went the next morning to
the airport with an Ambassador car and was waiting. The Bombay plane landed and
a little later passengers started flowing out. I could spot my boss from
a distance and waved my arm. Kum Vaz came near the vehicle and after entering
she said, “Mr. Ramachandran, I was wondering whether you would be able to
recognize me—since we have never met !.” I said with a smile, “You are
unforgettable, Madam !”. Kum Vaz blushed and was astonished to hear this and
asked promptly, “How?”. Coolly I replied, “Madam, because of you, I walked
in the hot sun from RBI Main Building to the Governor’s residence off Peddar Road
— eight miles away. Because of you I
lost one day’s wages. Because of you my increment is postponed by one
day!”. She exploded into laughter and said, “This is the first time someone has
told this to my face. All utter it behind my back. I am sure we will get along
well!”. She made three more trips to Trivandrum. There was an Association
sponsored agitation against her promotion.
In Trivandrum Miss Vaz was
keen to meet the wife of K.Madhav Das--the famous malayalam poet Madhavikutty. I
took her to the poet's house and they chatted happily for an hour like
college girls ! Officially we visited the Nedumangad Urban Co-operative Bank.
She asked the Chairman what was his profession? I translated her question
into Malayalam. Without batting an eye-lid he said--" Rashtriyam ".
Translated into English it was "Politics". Miss Vaz expressed
shock--but I assured her most of the co-operative banks are off-shoots of
politicians. I reminded her of the sugar barons of Maharashtra with their
strong urban banks.
Miss Vaz was one gentle,
gregarious, kind person. It was a privilege to work with her.
- P.P.Ramachandran
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