Joys of ‘implementation’…………..

Full respect and honor to all those who are into research, IT, consultancy etc. Looking back when the ‘working at the grassroots’ bug had bit me during the fag end of my management days, I realize those moments when this life at the grassroots had compelled me many a time to reconsider the decision which I had taken. Challenges were many…..meager salary when others were earning handsome bucks…..non existent facilities to work comfortably (office hours were spent under the sun, not in AC office)…..working with goat and sheep rearers in the scorching Rajasthan heat……travelling with these rearers many a time continuously from morning till sunset…….travelling at least 100 kms daily……working with leather artisans…..touching and smelling and feeling raw and processed leather (now my dad is going to kill me if he reads this) to understand the subtle difference between cow, goat, sheep and buffalo leather……working with these innocent souls and facilitating them in earning their livelihoods…….getting flat tyre with weather having other ideas…..controlling my anger and bearing the eccentricities of government officials…….having my forearms tanned to the extreme while the other half of my arm hinting at an altogether different past……it goes on and on.

What did I gain? Love and respect from my parents….are you kidding? Admirations……well yes, some genuine ones others coupled with pity and sardonic smiles. Money…..well yes to a certain extent; I can afford to pay installments for my bike and laptop!

Then what did I gain? Well its difficult express outrightly but it was explicitly evident few days back. Few months back I was successful in getting a shelf space for the products of leather artisans, with whom I am working, at Rajasthali – the grandest handicraft showroom at Jaipur. I had defeated a big cartel of filthy rich leather businessmen of Rajasthan to secure the shelf for my poor leather artisans. Of course I had to resort to various ‘bihari’ strategies to get the vital nod from the decision makers.

Few days back I went to the showroom to check the amount of money my villagers were to get for goods sold.

What did I gain for working at the grassroots? The sense of fulfillment after seeing my villagers competing with ultra rich businessmen who, at one point of time used to exploit them, is something which gives me immense pleasure. My small efforts have given these poor souls hope, and its their sense of pride and optimism which make my senses go sublime and confidence soar to epic proportions – let me be here, let me be among them, let me work here – this is my work and this is my life – NOTHING ELSE WILL MAKE ME HAPPIER.