My bosses – Mentors, Guides, Moral Support, Parents, Guardians – Strong Threads in life !! Part 2 – Shri Rajesh Kochhar Sir….

 My bosses – Mentors, Guides, Moral Support, Parents, Guardians – Strong Threads in life !!

Part 2 – Shri Rajesh Kochhar Sir….

As mentioned in my earlier write up :  

There are some personalities which make impact in your personal and professional life and Shri Rajesh Kochhar sir is another one of them at the top who really touched our lives including our families inside out and we still carry that impact. 

In 1993, I joined Wipro Limited – Lighting Division @ their Corporate Office in Tulsi Chambers, Aurangabad as Executive Secretary to him and in the very first meeting itself he clearly mentioned that you are not just the secretary to me but there are other responsibilities in the department that you will be doing in your tenure. Not only that he also immediately attached me to Product Management Group, Product Design Group and Lighting Solutions group.  We were a part of C&I Sales (Commercial and Institutional sales team).  A6+ feet height tall boss with typical north access in his Hindi (he sometimes used to call “Janeman”, “dost” etc.) was very strict when it comes to the discipline at office and sincerity at work.  He would always push people to grab new opportunities and excel in the areas.  He will always stand tall (as he actually is) at the back for anything you do.  Only thing is that it should be done on time with no gaps in it.  

We were a group of over 25 youngsters in the group divided in groups but under common support, guidance umbrella of Rajesh sir. In the office rest everyone was very scared of him due to his personality, a tall handsome personality, but  I found him one of the most soft hearted person when it comes to humanity, personal emotions.  But unless you interact at length with him you will not know all such wonderful qualities of these leaders.  We had teams spread across NEWS (North, East, West, South and Central) wherein we have had all zonal managers, their teams under them.  So intoto this was a 50+ member group.  Which was built strong by the foundation led by Rajesh sir.  Though Wipro those days was only known for baby care and other domestic product, Lighting was area where they were not pioneers and fighting with Bajaj, Crompton, Philips etc.. and other international brands like Osram and others.  But with his strong drive we could achieve a big brand name in the segment.  

In those days, I am talking of 1993 – where computers have started making wonders, he ordered high end machines, design softwares (Pro/E was one of them) to design beautiful commercial lighting fixtures.  We also have had a proto type lab – wherein our designer friends used to work most of the days and nights.  More specific Ajay, Kasthoori, Kamal, Manoj bhai… are the ones who have spent months of nights and days in that lab creating different models.  Our boss also used to visit this and advise changes.  More interestingly we have had guys from IDC (IIT), Mumbai and, NID Ahmedabad – these guys always looked like the ones that would be on the Moon … Truly, they were and they are all amazing and real OUT OF THE BOX folks I have worked there in.  But this was all possible only with great vision our boss had and he pulled in all those guys and put them in respective domains to excel and making Wipro Lighting a big success.  The guys I am mentioning are now at the top notch organisations holding management executive roles in US and other countries, they crossed all the titles in the professional domain and are very successful in their journey over all.  But the jeweller who gave shapes to all these diamonds is our dear sir.  He not only made the company big, but also made all the team members an excellent human beings by imparting the respect, care and love value training.  It really imbibed within all of us.  

Professionally a well organised person but personally more emotional as I have mentioned earlier.  Every 31st December he would stay back very late in office.  Once everyone is out of the office, he used to pull out greeting cards that he has bought on his own and start writing individual messages to each and every one of us and that too an apt message for the individual.  He would write our names on all of them with his beautiful handwriting and he will keep them on every desk on his own.  All 5 to 6 years, my January 1st morning was so pleasant to receive that beautiful card from him.  I could retain few of them still.  A very small thing but touches internally.  

Sometimes if you visit his home for some work, he will offer numerous things to you and hats of Anu madam who with equal affection treated all of us like their kids, family members.  

In 1995, we all were participating in Prakash 95 – a lighting exhibition that takes place in Cannaught Place, New Delhi.  We were involved right from design of the stall till its sale in scrap after the event is over.  Those two to three weeks stay was a night mare in terms of learnings, experiences we have collected in our bag of professional life.  A beautifully designed stall was also having a small Doordarshan symbol type room where he provided me with a computer and printer with e-mails facility (this I am talking of 1995 – where pagers were on the go like mobiles are today).  As soon as someone visits the stall, the next moment that card used to come to me.  I will draft out a response according to their queries and a detailed response with all our brochures etc. used to be sent to him.  The guest even before reaching his office / home, he would have received our response.  But I must mention some names here – Samir Bagga, Sriram  were the key players here at that point in time who have whole heartedly gave everything to create wonders for the company. Hats off to you guys.  There is a huge list and I will miss more names as it is already ~ 29 years now.   The kind of happiness I was enjoying those days is just fantastic.  A young boy with blazer, tie was adding more flavour to that happiness. 

After successful exhibition he took all of us (50+) to Agra with a stay in 5Star property and a dinner was hosted for all of us.  You won’t believe that whole night we were just dancing, having fun and what not.  One of the most memorable events of my life. I repeat, this was hosted by him.  I bought a brand new printed silk shirt from the Taj Mahal market and was wearing that… it was full of sweat and I could not even take it back with me as it was not dried by the time we all left the venue ……

He also made us organise, conduct all stockist meet, be at Lonavala, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune etc. and gave us full rights to plan, organise and execute. Road shows was another concept we have had those days and we used to product road shows.  I also contributed a lot in product management in terms of product photography, shoots, building the promotional leaflets, its circulation.  This really developed other skills that are required for our function.  Right from their invitations, venue finalisation, event organisation in total – travel, stay, presentations, gifts, outings etc.  I have received a Best Support Person award in the same year 1995 – the amount was so big that I could buy a washing machine out of it as it was a voucher where you need buy something. For a middle class family like me, it really was a big gift those days.  Ofcourse the other big supports were always there in the team – I just cannot forget them.  But again taking all those names is not possible – so I remember you all my Wiproites who are reading this.  

This is not enough, at one point of time I raised my body weight by over eating, continuous travel or eating outside, have started getting a health issue – he booked an appointment in a nearby hospital and he accompanied me when they were doing my stress tests and other check-up.  After this, he also dropped me in his big white Cielo car to my home.  After some days, he also visited with family to see if everything is OK.   Gave instructions – tum log ye achaar aur papad bahot khate ho, pehle ise khana band karo….   

But when it comes to work, as mentioned earlier, he was equally strict. Those days we have had Saturday half day – a big thing, but we all have always worked late on those Saturdays – I am saying this as no complaint, curse or regret, but with pride as that is the time we all have learnt a lot from him.  We were all bachelors and staying spread across all different corners of Aurangabad. But we were together every day and night at some or the other place.  Cooking on our own, music, dance, drawing and the loveliest game is pulling legs – on lighter note.  Saturdays were always special as we used to leave early and kick off our weekend funs.  The more fun was the guys from the IDC, NID have decorated their rooms very differently and it was always a fun staying at those artistic places. 

In 1997 I got married on Saturday – that Saturday ofcourse all had a holiday and everyone came to my wedding and they gifted me a tower cooler – I still have those photos with me and I keep opening those albums to re-energise myself.  I still remember the fun and frolic we have had as a group that day.  

I left Wipro in 1999 – for a better prospects where again he offered me a better opportunity but that was in Bhiwandi Mumbai to which I said no and moved on.  But still we are all connected over a whatsapp group, he keeps checking wellbeing of all of us and he still is our mentor in all tough times. 

Some more stories to continue……watch out for my next on this subject…. Bye for now…

Sharad Puranik

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