दस्तक

जीवन में हर सुबह एक सच्चे मित्र की तरह , नित्य नये अभिनव उपहार लेकर आती है । कल सुबह का भी सूरज आपके लिए नये -अभिनव उपहार लेकर हाजिर होगा , आप आदर पूर्वक उठकर उत्साह से उसका स्वागत कर सुपर सिटिज़न बनने का उस से वायदा करें , तब वह भी हर दिन नये-नये उपहार देने का वो वायदा कर देगा। आत्म -सुधार ही संसार की सबसे बड़ी सेवा है , और यही सिटीजन एसबीई का उद्देश्य है ।

नये साल की शुभकामनाएं

जय प्रकाश पाण्डेय

माइक्रो फाईनेंस शाखा भोपाल

CUP OF CHEER OVERFLOWS ON NEW YEAR EVE

I knocked at the door of the cabin of Shri Jagat Bisht, AGM, SBLC, Indore , today, to get the latest news on CITIZENSBI, when I witnessed a beautiful moment of true humanity and love, enfolding before me. How a small but kind act can build an everlasting bond, with distance not being a hindrance at all was experienced by me, today.

It all began on an early August morning, in Hyderabad at Hotel Taj Banjara, where Mr. Bisht had put up while attending the training for master facilitators for CITIZENSBI. He had to leave the next morning at 4 a.m. by air for Indore and was apprehensive about the availability of a cab in the early hours, to the airport.

As he stepped out of the hotel, he met Md. Jeelani Pasha, a cab driver, who assured him of his service the next morning. Right on his job, the next day, Jeelani gave a wake up call at 3.30a.m to Mr. Bisht, announced his arrival and asked him to comfortably get ready for the ride to the airport.

A relaxed Mr. Bisht stepped into the cab, not realizing that he was in for an experience that will stay with him and give him joy for a long time to come. The sun had yet to rise and spread warmth, but Jeelani was all set to give the maximum comfort to his customer, Mr. Bisht. Seeking the choice of music from Mr. Bisht, he started the morning playing the melodious Lata’s songs. Mr. Bisht, sensitive to the feelings of Jeelani started a dialogue with him and learnt that he was a contended person and is grateful to Allah that he earns his daily bread because of the customers he gets. Happily and wholeheartedly, he serves his customers in a way, in what best he can think of.

On the way, keeping in mind the need of his customer, he offers a cup of hot tea to Mr. Bisht, as he is concerned that such a good cup of tea will not be available and that it will be very expensive inside the airport. How I wish that all had such sensitivity towards a fellow human being. The story does not end here.

Five months down the line, today, we have, Mr. Bisht calling him up on the phone and wishing him for the New Year. Mr. Bisht starts with a ‘Salaam Valekum’, reminds Jeelani of their drive together, exchanges pleasantries, wishes him well and agrees that if the thoughts are good, Khuda does help. Jeelani confirms positively, that last year was good, he has no regrets or complaints against anyone and that he has received a lot of love and respect from his customers. He adds that his dear wife has prepared ‘biryani’ for him and is awaiting his arrival. No wonder a good and grateful contributor to mankind is always happy and is able to spread cheer around.

Mr. Bisht adds tremendous joy on New Year’s eve to the life of an ‘ordinary cab driver’, whom it is easy to ignore, forget or even to be rude to or worse, make him a victim of our pent up frustrations! Praising him about his good behavior and that it has left a mark on him, Mr. Bisht’s greetings to Jeelani is a wonderful start to a New Year. Jeelani will agree it gave him joy and created a happy memory for him to relate for the rest of his life. Being a witness to this, I also derived an unexplainable joy that will stay in my memory always.

On New Year, let us also create happy memories by acknowledging the contribution of all those who made our lives meaningful, pray for those who perchance had hurt us in the past, give a gift of love to all those we are grateful to, play with our children and share precious moments with loved ones and also be with those who are alone and lack a warm hug from a dear one.

Mr. Bisht has shown us the way- we can make the journey of life more colorful and merrier this year with everyone we come across in life in the true spirit of love and humanity.

I WISH ALL OF YOU A MEMORABLE YEAR OF GROWTH, PEACE, PROSPERITY, CONTRIBUTION AND CONTENTMENT!

Contributed by: H. SHARMA

She was the widow of a martyr!

(This is an incident from our Muzaffarpur branch of Patna Circle)

It was a normal business day. Mr Shrivastava, Dy Manager Accounts of my division submitted a note with a list of stale bankers’ cheques recommending for credit to charges account. Mr Shrivastava was very meticulous in complying with Bank’s instructions and was committed to dispose the matter within the definite timeframe.

I looked into the details of the note and list attached to it. It appeared to be a routine job for a big size treasury branch as the list was showing many small amounts of stale bankers’ cheques. However, my eyes stuck to a particular Bankers’ cheque amounting to Rs.1.22 lacs favoring Smt. Anita Devi. On my enquiry, Mr.Shrivastava replied that there is not much detail available in the Banker’s cheques register and old vouchers were not traceable. The old record keeper had retired three years ago and record keeping presently was not up to the desired level.

I called on the staff looking after record keeping and discussed the matter. He was ready to search the vouchers but was not very confident. Much to my surprise, after two days the record keeper came to me with a smiling face along with the bunch of vouchers for the relevant date. I thanked him and immediately searched through the vouchers. But alas! The voucher also just mentioned “Smt. Anita Devi”. However, the narration in the voucher showed that it related to some proceeds of Govt. Bill but all Govt. Bills had been handed over to the treasury after a time lag as a normal practice. Everyone was grim, as it appeared to be a dead end.

Then something stuck in my mind and I called in the system administrator. Our branch had already migrated from Bank Master to CBS. The system administrator, a young officer told me that the details of Bank Master period were available in a separate computer and he opened the DTL for the required date. When we searched for the specific amount, it appeared on the credit side. But it was no help to us as the narration was no better than that which had appeared on the voucher. Then we searched for the debit side entry for the same amount. Suddenly it showed some ray of hope! One old bank master account number of Anita Devi was mentioned where the amount was required to be credited. We exclaimed with joy that our goal has been achieved.

But the hurdles were not yet over. The Bank Master account when traced to the converted CBS account showed a different name of the account holder. It appeared to be losing game and I was thinking in terms of granting permission for crediting the stale Bankers’ cheques to charges account. But then the saying “God proposes and man disposes” came true again and an idea came to my mind. I requested the system administrator, to convert the Bank Master account for all the branches at the Centre. He accepted the job joyfully and started searching for other branches also. After 6 to 7 searches he shouted, “Sir, Sir, the account is meant for our B.U.Campus branch!”

All the staff involved in the process was feeling extremely enthusiastic. It also gave them a feeling that desired result could be achieved with a goal in mind and sustained effort. Mr.Shrivastava immediately wrote a letter to the address of “Anita Devi” and also called on some local people to search the lady at the recorded address.

After 5 - 6 days in the early Banking hour I was sitting in my chamber with my officers having a cup of tea. One old person with a young lady appeared at the door. I called them in. They appeared to be in grief and were hesitant to speak. I offered them seat and enquired about their requirement. Tears dropped from the eyes of the old person and the lady and they showed me the letter written from the bank to Anita Devi. The old man then introduced the lady as “Anita Devi” and himself as her father in law. I just could not sit on my chair any longer and I stood up. She was the widow of a martyr! Her husband a soldier had been killed at the Kashmir Border leaving behind old parents, young wife and two little kids. The sudden demise of the soldier pushed them in to deep trouble that they could not even follow-up for the settlement of legitimate dues of the slain soldier.

The message spread like lightning in the branch. Every one was getting emotional. We had no word to console them. We could realize the tough time the family had passed through. After brief discussion we identified the beneficiary and handed over the cheque to Anita Devi. They were just speechless and overwhelmed by the gesture of the Bank. Tears were flowing down their cheeks and their eyes were acknowledging the deep gratitude towards SBI.

The whole team was greatly satisfied with the outcome. That our effort could bring some positive changes in the family of a war widow and spread a positive message about the Bank in the society was more than what we earned in terms of money, reward or recognition.

Contributed by Narayan Chandra Paul
Chief Manager (Sanction)
SMECC Ranchi

NEW YEAR WISHES

नयी ललक से स्वागत कर लें

नयी सुबह का

नए साल की दस्तक देती

आने वाली नयी सुबह जो ....

जो भोगा सीखा अब तक

उसका संबल ले

अपने भीतर बसी हुई

अपनी ताकत से

करें सामना अपने ही भय का,

आलस का, लोभ-दंभ का

नयी ललक से....

ऊंचे -नीचे टेढ़े -मेंढ़े

जीवन पथ पर

बढ़ते जाएँ

राह सुगम कर

चलना जब तक नियत हमारे लिए

धरा पर

नयी ललक से ....

नीलाभ कृष्ण खरे

एस.एम्.ई। शाखा, इंदौर

The Inspiring Story Of Dashrath Manjhi - An Evolving Citizen

Remembering a man who moved a mountain alone!
==========================
"People are made of flesh and blood
and a miracle fibre called courage" - McLaughlin
==========================


On Friday, 17th of August, after prolonged battle with cancer, a man breathed his last in Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was Dashrath Manjhi, the 78 year old legend who has now become the part of folklore in Gaya District of Bihar, India.

The courage and will of this man is one of those rare real life incidents which will continue to inspire mankind for ages to come. This simple man from Gaya had the fortitude and conviction to move mountains and he made it happen by his sheer perseverance and faith in his efforts to move the mountain. He is an inspiration for all us and just when you feel chips are down and the road ahead seems insurmountable, put yourself in his shoes and imagine the courage it would take to move a mountain.

Yes, this man literally moved a mountain! Alone, just by his sheer will and perseverance.


Over four decades ago, a frail, landless Dashrath got hold of a chisel and a hammer and decided to change the face of his village nestled in the rocky hills of Gaya. He almost tore open a 300-feet-high hill to create a one-km passage.

Instead of endlessly waiting for the apathetic administration to do something for those formidable hills that virtually cut his village off from civilization, Manjhi, then in his early 20s, took up a chisel and hammered at the rocks for 22 years.

It all started from Manjhi’s love for his wife. For, when she slipped off the rocks while getting food for him as he worked in a field beyond the hill and broke her ankle, it became a burning passion to tame the formidable hills. And he completed this Herculean task creating a short-cut which reduced a long and arduous journey from his village Gahlor Ghati to Wazirganj to a walkable distance.

At that time people called him mad. They ridiculed him. Even his wife and parents were against this adventure, especially when he sold his goats to buy a chisel, a hammer and rope.

But, by then, Manjhi was a determined man. He shifted his hut close to the hill so he could work all day and night, chipping away, little by little. May times he did not even bother to eat. With most of the cultivable land and shops across the hill, villagers had to cross it many times a day, braving dangers.

It was after 10 years that people began to notice a change in the shape of the hill. Instead of a defiant rockface, the hill seemed to have a depression in the middle. Climbing it became a little easier. All those who had called him mad began to quietly watch him work. Some even chipped in.

Then in 1982, twenty-two years after he had started out, that day came when Manjhi walked through a clear flat passage about 16-feet wide to the other side of the hill. But his victory was tinged with sadness. His wife, who inspired him to take on this task, was not by his side. She had died of illness. They could not take her to a hospital on time.

But, the villagers were there to celebrate with him. They got him sweets, fruits and all that they could afford. The young generation in that area had grown up hearing stories of the man who wanted to move a mountain. Now that dream had become a reality and a boon for them.

This formidable task, single handedly performed by Dashrath Manjhi, resulted into a 1.5 kilometer long road through the Gahlaur Mountain thus reducing the distance to cross the mountain from a grueling 50 kilometer to a much-easier 8 kilometer.

This hand-carved passage through the hill still remains the only sustainable change his village has ever chanced upon. Tubewells were installed, but they ran dry. Electric poles were put up, but the cables never came. And a five-acre plot given by former CM Lalu Prasad to Manjhi for a hospital still lies barren.

Septuagenarian Manjhi hadn't given up though. In a recent interview he had said I met CM Nitish Kumar recently. He has promised to develop the passage so that even a car can pass and will connect my village to Gaya. And, he told me that I will lay the foundation stone.

Manjhi died on Friday at AIIMS in Delhi despite top care provided by the nation’s premier health facility. The state government of Bihar, in honor of Manjhi, has announced its decision to name the road built by the mountain man as Dashrath Manjhi Road and that hospital in Atri village in Gaya (which is yet to be built), to be named after him. He will not be there to lay the foundation stone when that passage will be developed fully, however, his story will continue to be the source of inspiration for many in the nation

I pay my humble tribute to Dashrath Manjhi. May his soul rest in peace!

Contributed by Mukesh Kumar, RASMECC - SARC, Sambalpur

( This story was published earlier and so widely appreciated by our readers that we are publishing it once again with photographs which illustrate the story beautifully and enhance the joy of reading - CoolBisht)

MY CITIZEN MOMENT

June 1985 :
I was then studying for my graduation at IP College in Delhi.
It was a hot summer afternoon and post lunch my friend and I decided to have an ice-cream to ward off sleep so that we could give the final touch to our preparation for our last exam to be held the next day.
We walked up to the ice-cream vendor, who would usually park his cart right outside our college gate. We bought our favourite ice creams. We turned around and were going back to the hostel when we heard a loud crashing noise. A speeding DTC bus had hit the ice cream wallah and he was bleeding profusely. We immediately ran to the hostel and mobilized a couple of mess boys to get an auto rickshaw. Since we were staying in the hostel we did not have much money with us. We borrowed some from our hostel matron. We then helped the ice cream wallah into the auto and took him to the hospital were he was admitted. We then returned to our hostel.
Next day, we appeared for our exam and returned home for our summer vacation.

April 1989 :
Place New Delhi Railway station.
I along with my parents, husband and baby boy, was waiting at the platform for the train to arrive. A middle aged man on crutches approaches me and bends to touch my feet. I am taken aback and go cold with fear and ask him not to touch my feet as I don’t know him and he is anyway much older to me.
The man tells me that it’s likely that I had forgotten him, but he could never forget me and my friend. We had saved his life that fateful day four years ago. He was that ice cream wallah of our college days.

Twenty years hence whenever I recall that incident I realize that a small help rendered can make such a big difference to someone’s life.


SHOBHA MITTAL
CHIEF MANAGER (SANCTIONS)
RASECC cum SARC
Dhanbad Centre Patna Circle

Citizen Moment

It was in the first week of April,2006 when I was posted as Branch Manager of a small & remotely located branch namely Bhagirathpur in RBO-IV of Gorakhpur Administrative Office. I used to reside at a nearby Tehsil centre near Nepal border (around 15 km from my branch and around 95 km from Gorakhpur) along with my family.

My branch was under Statutory Audit as Annual Closing had just completed. The auditor had his stay arrangements in a Hotel at Gorakhpur during the Audit. After verification of the Returns related to Annual Closing at the branch, the auditor requested me to come to Gorakhpur for collecting duly audited Annual Closing Returns of the branch from him.

After collecting the same from the auditor late in the evening at Gorakhpur, I left for my place of residence by a UP Roadways Bus (probably the last bus of the day). Some people stopped the bus midway and put two people, who were badly injured, into the bus and told the driver to drop them at Nepal border as they were probably from Nepal. They were injured during an accident and the people gathered around the accident site had put them into the bus, without giving any First Aid to them, just to avoid any litigation arising out of the accident. While one of them was badly injured and crying desperately because of the unbearable pain he was suffering from, the other one was in a comparatively better position.

All the fellow passengers as well as the Conductor of the bus had turned a deaf ear towards their pain. I was sitting near them and was quite upset because of the insensible attitude of others towards them. I really wanted to help them whatever I can.

In the meantime, the driver stopped the bus for taking dinner at a roadside Dhaba. I was acquainted with that locality where the bus was standing. All of a sudden, I decided to take these guys to a nearby dispensary for providing them First Aid. I tried to handle them alone but it was quite difficult. I sought support from fellow passengers politely but no one was ready to give a helping hand. That was too much and I just outbursted at them out of anger for not providing support to the persons suffering from acute pain. That really worked and some people came forward for support.

I managed an empty vegetable trolley lying near the bus and with the help of other passengers put them on that and took them to a nearby dispensary. Firstly, they refused to admit the injured passengers there. But when I introduced myself as Branch Manager of a nearby branch and asked them to contact me in case of any litigation arising out of that, they agreed to admit them at their dispensary.

It was around 11.00 pm and I returned towards the bus with the impression that the bus must have left and I would have to take another bus, if any, or would have to spend the night somewhere at that place itself. But surprisingly, the Conductor was waiting for me and I reached home safely around 11.30 pm with a great feeling of inner contentment.


Santosh Kumar
Manager, HR Deptt, LHO, Lucknow

Chairman's Message For The Citizens

Mr O P Bhatt, Chairman, State Bank of India

My Dear Citizens,

First of all I must congratulate Citizen Jagat Bisht for taking the initiative to set up the Citizen SBI Blog, and then all the Citizens who have made it a success by sharing their experiences and view points.

I enjoy reading them. Some of the experiences are very touching.

The maiden century of posts is an exciting milestone. My heartfelt good wishes on this occasion.

Keep it up !
O.P. BhattCHAIRMAN

State Bank of India,
Corporate Centre,
Mumbai.

CitizenSBI Blog Scores Its Maiden Century!

CitizenSBI Blog is happy to announce that it has completed its maiden century of posts on the blog with this post! Apart from the posts, there have been many comments posted by readers who have also taken part in the online Citizenship Poll. We have by now a large number of committed, regular readers of the blog. Thank you citizen friends for your valuable contributions and constant encouragement.

This maiden century is just an initial milestone of the blog. We have a long way to go like Sachin Tendulkar and score many more runs and centuries. If he could achieve so many feats single handedly, just imagine what two lac plus Citizens SBI are capable of contributing collectively! Please continue to send us your contributions about your encounters with Citizenship, your Citizen Journey and how Project Citizen-SBI is impacting lives.


The journey of this blog started on the 7th November 2009 and it has already become a valuable forum to share our citizenship experiences. After a humble beginning, it has fast developed into a collective blog of a large community of Citizens SBI. Gradually it is gaining a unique identity and growing in value. We have been receiving contributions from Gauhati, Baroda, Trichur, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Raipur and all over the country. As Project Citizen-SBI goes along, we are sure that more and more valuable contributions will pour in. The blog is evolving from its childhood stage to adulthood very rapidly. We hope that this will be an everlasting platform where we can all share our thoughts and experiences about our new vision of life on an on-going basis.


Win 4 Days and 3 Nights Stay at Indore


CitizenSBI Blog announces a package including 4 days and 3 nights stay at Indore for the best post on the blog during the month of January 2010. It will include stay for the family, one day excursion to a nearby religious or tourist place, half a day's local sight seeing in Indore and complimentary breakfast and dinner. This does not include travel expenses etc. We would like to make it clear that this offer is from the CitizenSBI blog and the winner will not be entitled for any special leave and allowances from the Bank while availing this offer.


Please send in your contributions by e-mail to jagat.bisht@sbi.co.in and endorse a copy to coolbisht@hotmail.com. It would be nice if you could attach your photograph also.

Thank you once again.

Jagat Bisht, Indore

A Big Thank You To The First Citizen Of SBI

Respected Chairman Sir,

It has been a fulfilling experience so far and it will continue to remain for ever as long as I am alive in the world. The unique programme of self discovery launched by you in this great Organisation has made everyone to sit erect in their seats and wherever they are to look forward to a better tomorrow and forget the past. The journey of Citizenship started by your initiative by keeping individual development at centre cutting across Bank's interests is by any means unique in the entire Universe!!

I got an opportunity to enter this great community, Citizen SBI as Intervention Leader for the North Eastern Circle as a replacement and I am pleasantly surprised & thrilled everyday as the sun rises to announce the beginning of another day in the journey of Citizenship! Through this programme, I could meet lot of my colleagues in the Bank from different parts of the country and also within the Circle that too from different States cutting across linguistic and cultural background. This creates greater emotional bonding with my colleagues though I am from a totally different linguistic region. This has given me an identity in the Bank as well as in my family and a great opportunity to bring about change in the minds of people. We are simply carrying on the light lit by you and trying to spread more and more happiness and reap deep inner fulfilment in the process.

This programme as an unique platform has brought all the employees of the Bank under one roof forgetting their functional roles to discover and rediscover their inner selves. We all are proud to say that no programme in the Bank so far has brought people like this and made to interact with each other. A BIG THANKS TO THIS GREAT CITIZEN who leads us all from front!!!!!

R. NATARAJAN

CHIEF MANAGER(BPR-IT) AND

INTERVENTION LEADER - 1 PROJECT CITIZEN SBI

STATE BANK OF INDIA LOCAL HEAD OFFICE

GUWAHATI

CELL: 9435541467

मुस्कराकर तो देखो

उन आँखों में झांक के देखो तो सही ,

प्यार झलकता है की नहीं ।

एक कदम बढ़ा के देखो तो सही ,

राह मिलती है की नहीं ।

हाथ बंटा के देखो तो सही ,

काम होता है की नहीं ।

एक बार मुस्करा के देखो तो सही ,

दुनिया अपनाती है की नहीं ।

जय प्रकाश पाण्डेय

माइक्रो फाईनेंस शाखा भोपाल

Speaking Moments

It is our practice that we tell the partcipants on the first day that those partcipants who do not speak on the first day (either at the time of sharing of moments of Inner fullness or during role play etc.),they will have to speak on the second day on behalf of their group in the first session regarding the citizenship choice.(Our intention is not to harass anybody or to make them uncomfortable but to make them speak in front of 25/30 people which would help raise their confidence level in expressing their views in public).And to our pleasant surprise we have found on many occasions that even promotee Assistants have come out with excellent citizenship moments and their contributions towards development of business at their branches, recovery of NPAs etc. Some of them have even expressed their happiness that they were made to speak in the class room as they could not imagine earlier that they can speak in front of such an audience!!

SHAM VADALKER, FACILITATOR, SBLC, BARODA

WE BOW IN GRATITUDE BEFORE THE MESSIAH- OUR CHAIRMAN SHRI O.P. BHATT

(This humble blog started its citizenship journey on the 7th of November 2009 by expressing our sincere regards and deep gratitude to Shri O P Bhatt who had the vision to pave the way for this fulfilling journey. Since then, heartfelt gratitude in various forms has been pouring in for our beloved Chairman in the classrooms, informal feedback channels and right into this blog. Beginning with the touching sentiments expressed by a grateful CitizenSBI, we would be echoing the feelings of some more Citizens in these columns in the coming days. In case you wish to contribute, please send your feedback to coolbisht@hotmail.com, preferably accompanied by your digital photograph - CitizenSBI Blog)

Serenity, warm smile and humanity writ large on his face, coupled with a magnetic personality that draws everyone unto him in a wave of peace and joy—yes, verily he is the Man on the Chair at the helm- our Chairman , Shri O.P. Bhatt!

Countless men have occupied the chair, for more than two centuries, yet none could touch so many hearts at the same time, in a wide sweep of care and concern for each one’s inner growth, towards ultimate bliss.

As SBI glides softly from Parivartan to CITIZENSBI, the ultimate Truth, of humanity, that enables one to contribute heart and soul towards mankind, dawns upon all those fortunate to have absorbed the message in these programmes. Accolades are pouring in and SBI is fast becoming a well known brand in the world. The tremendous success of SBI is visible to all. No doubt this has been possible because each mind in SBI has been ignited by one powerful mind, naturally that of our Chairman, like a lamp that has lit every heart with love in an act of sheer selfless giving, driving away dreadful darkness forever. The sun, no doubt lights up the day, but it is the little lamp that lights up the night which the sun, cannot do. He has proved to be the lamp in our lives!

As CITIZENSBI, tenderly brings the awareness that it is in positive contribution that we create meaning in life, there are acknowledgements all around about the massive change it has brought in life and its resultant feeling of contentment.

A husband gratefully accepts, that the family means much more to him today, he listens to his kids and finds meaning in their apparently meaningless chatter and discovers happiness in it! A wife learns to listen to the feelings of her in-laws and her husband and vows to serve them with love. A parent realizes that the inner fruit matters most and helps the struggling teenager in his decision on life, as the bond between them strengthens, with the feeling that we are not alone! For the new entrant in SBI, it is a huge leap in inner growth, cutting out life’s long bitter experiences that gradually teach this Truth.

Relations that had been written off have been revived—there is hope, there is life! The eyes that carried the burden of tears are now feeling light, after the realisation that the power is within to wipe away those sorrows, forever. The drooping shoulders that carried needless burdens of worry, now stands tall with the strength derived within, to face all vicissitudes of life.

O! What a growth! What bliss to live life! The sky seems within reach. Nothing seems impossible!
A grateful heart reaches out to the man who made this happen- Shri O.P.Bhatt. Men have come and gone on this earth, but only a very few could make such positive difference on such a massive scale. How does one express one’s gratefulness to such a wonderful soul?

A peep into this great man’s heart reveals the dauntless courage to gently drive people out of their limitations to a heavenly world of possibilities, the deep concern for sacred life and to derive meaning out of living it, the impeccable values held so dear that in a relentless endeavor seeks to establish peace in every soul, the boundless love for humanity that cannot but strive to raise each one to where they actually belong- a state of pure bliss, where life lives beyond dualities of pleasure and pain, success and defeat, life and death, in one deep sense of giving and gratitude.

But for him, life would have continued to be a daily grind of distress and limitations. And all that we can say is a VERY BIG THANK YOU, SIR.

Truly, words fail miserably to convey the feelings of gratitude to you, Sir. Thanks once again for giving the gift of life to us. As long as life exists you will be in our hearts.

LONG LIVE THE MESSIAH!

Contributed by a GRATEFUL CITIZENSBI

Happy New Year!

CITIZENSBI: REFLECTIONS AND REVELATIONS – THE IMPACT

“I am important”, dawned upon Mr. Avinash Sant of Alirajpur Branch , immediately after undergoing the programme CITIZENSBI. He added that he had forgotten his self in the daily routine we call life and on date he is confident of doing what is right . He appreciated the concept of inner fruits and did some analysis where his heart drew him more towards seeking inner fruits as compared to outer ones, which gave him a good feeling.

He shares with a laugh that he spoke to his daughter about inner fruits, consoling her on her not so good performance in IIT. He senses maturity and strength within after going through the programme.


Mr. Arif Khan, posted at Khandwa road branch, says with a bright smile that his ‘feel good factor’ has been activated , after he attended the programme. His family benefits directly from the change that the programme has brought about in him as much as he pays more attention to and expresses his care for them.

He has also decided that he will always give a positive reply to anyone who may call him for any service, henceforth. He has generated a sense of commitment and feels he is in control of ‘tensions’ that creep up in him, after CITIZENSBI. He feels the change in him and has vowed never to criticize or speak ill of anyone.


“ My personal life has improved and I have become an understanding husband ”, says Mr . Santosh Singh posted at Indore . He now listens to his wife, from her point of view. He has also realized that “ I have power within . I am also something, I can do something”


Ms.Naushabha Hassan and her husband did the programme together. “Now we speak something beyond the bank. Our relations are more positive. I relate to my friends also. Earlier, my problem was how busy I am, lack of time— now I understand their problems and their needs.”

She found the Think Tools very effective, “looking at different dimensions of problems. Earlier, it was just the immediate problem, now I see all the dimensions . It generated positive energy. The programme should be for 4-5 days.”


“ Chidchidapan gaya . I don’t get irritated now . I’ve adjusted myself, speak nicely to others, sweetly and convince people’, said Mr. Neelkanth Mohanty of Dabra Chowk Branch. “ I learnt how to solve problems , about time management, attitude and inner and outer fruits.” He adds as if to prove his point, “I could collect 8 lacs in Smart Ulip”

Contributed by Ms Harinaxi Sharma, SBLC, Indore

Ha ha! ... Hee hee!!

A Group Of Smiling Citizens at State Bank Learning Centre, Indore


Just before the Citizenship Orientation Programmes commenced in September, my son Anurag, who is working for Nestle, came home for a vacation. He showed us one of his group photographs where each one was smiling and their sparkling teeth were visible. I asked him whether someone had cracked a joke while the photograph was being taken. He said - No, at our place it is a practice that the photographer says "ha ha" before clicking and all of us respond by saying "hee hee".

We found the idea interesting and adopted it.

It is a practice at our Centre to give a copy of the group photograph of smiling citizens as a part of their gift hamper which is highly appreciated and valued by the participants. Moreover, the haha-heehee during the making of the group photograph invariably generates a lot of positive energy, fun and sparkle. Just try it sometime. :-)

Jagat Bisht, SBLC, Indore

आत्म-सुधार

मनुष्य जीवन एक खेत है , जिसमे कर्म बोये जाते है और उन्ही से खट्टे मीठे फल काटे जाते है । जो आम बोयेगा वो आम खायेगा , जो बबूल बोयेगा वो कांटे पायेगा । बबूल बोकर जिस तरह आम प्राप्त करना प्रकृति का सत्य नहीं। मनुष्य जीवन में भी इस सत्य के अतिरिक्त और कुछ नहीं है , भलाई का फल सुख , शांति और प्रगति के अतिरिक्त और कुछ नहीं हो सकता , करील पेड़ में यदि पत्ते नहीं तो बसंत का क्या दोष ? उल्लू यदि दिन में नहीं देख पाता तो सूर्य का क्या दोष ? वर्षा का जल यदि पपीहा के मुख में नहीं पड़ता तो मेघ का क्या दोष ? यदि सिटीजन सबीई के सत्संग में रह कर कोई आत्म-सुधार प्रारम्भ नहीं करता तो किसका दोष है ?

जय प्रकाश पाण्डेय

माइक्रो फाइनेंस शाखा भोपाल

Chairman Sir, More Surprises Please!

It is very heartening to know that our esteemed Chairman made a surprise visit to the Pink City on 17th Dec, 2009 and had interactions with the participants of 'Citizen SBI'.

How fortunate those participants are to have a first hand experience of meeting our Chairman in person and sharing their thoughts!

I have been observing our participants in my classes whenever Chairman's address is there on day two of 'Citizen Orientation Programme' as a fitting finale. Their faces glow on seeing him on the screen and they are all ears in listening to him.

At one point towards the end of his speech (integrating 'Citizenship into us) he asks ".....do you agree?..." Many participants in the class always reply immediately by saying saying "..Yes Sir." (may be for a moment forgetting that our Chairman is seen only on the screen). But for them it is as if he is asking them in person. Such is the impact of his speech. How nice it would be if our Chairman is able to make a similar surprise visit to our classes too.

S R Raghunath, Facilitator - Citizen SBI, Chennai Circle

Vivekananda

Thoughts To Inspire & Celebrate

Desire, ignorance and inequality - this is the trinity of bondage.

Whatever you do, devote your whole mind, heart and soul to it.

The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles,nerves, and every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. this is the way to success...If we really want to be blessed, and make others blessed, we must go deeper.

You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher than your own soul.

I have no desire for wealth or name or fame or enjoyments, they are dust unto me...I want to help my brethren.

Character has to be established through a thousand stumbles.

It is our own mental attitude, which makes the world what it is for us. Our thoughts make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light.

If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library.

Compiled by Jagat Bisht for CitizenSBI blog

This Programme Brings Out Hidden Leadership

One of the participants Ms. Vasvee Srivastava, Dy.Manager (Accounts) at our SCB Anand Branch today gave the following feedback which is very encouraging and indicates the impact the program has on the participants.

" I can successfully lead my group here while I would usually take the back seat in other programmes. Here without giving second thought I just did it. I was aware of my quality but never took the lead."

Contributed by Sham Vadalker, Facilitator, SBLC, Baroda

Chairman Gives A Pleasant Surprise To Citizens-SBI In The Pink City

Our Chairman Shri O.P. Bhatt made a surprise visit to the Citizen SBI Program at Hotel Indiana Pride, Jaipur on 17.12.2009 at 6.00 P.M. We thank Ms Purnima Bhargava, Facilitator for sending us the report and photographs taken on the occasion.

REPORT ON VISIT OF SHRI O. P. BHATT, CHAIRMAN
TO CITIZEN-SBI PROGRAM

AT HOTEL INDIANA PRIDE, JAIPUR

ON 17/12/2009
It was a memorable and momentous occasion for participants of Citizen SBI program at Hotel Indiana Pride, Jaipur, when their Citizen Chairman Shri O. P. Bhatt, came to interact with them on 17/12/2009. The dedication, involvement and importance for this program of Chairman Sir could be gauged by the fact that when he reached the venue, Module II was in progress, he waited for the Module to be completed before entering the hall lest the smooth conduct and rhythm of program be disturbed.
All the participants were pleasantly surprised to see their Citizen Chairman Sir amongst them. They were excited to meet and interact with the person, who visualised and launched an unprecedented move for self development of the SBI family. The Chairman asked the participants about their views, feelings and feedback on the changes their colleagues have experienced on attending the program. He invited suggestions for further improving and refining this program. Although, initially the participants were not forthcoming, so the Chairman encouraged them to come forward to uninhibitantly share their views. Thus a free and open discussion ensued. When the participants expressed that this program would bring about a Sea Change in their attitude not only in their work environment but also in their personal, family and social life, a feeling of satisfaction could be clearly seen on his face. It was clear from his expression that he was pleased to know that the program is achieving its intended objectives and aim. The Chairman also asked the participants about the problems being faced and invited suggestions to improve work environment and organisation culture.
During interaction, the Chairman apprised that since the launch of recent initiatives there has been a change in public perception of the organisation and now the SBI family is perceived in greater esteem by public at large. He further opined that we are serving crores of people and many sections of society, our objective of Service with Smile can only be achieved by unflinching involvement of all members right from messenger to Chairman. He felt that due to the initiatives taken in recent past, involvement of staff has increased this has led to better performance and in turn has brought about their evolution, thus bringing about their own fulfilment.
Shri H. R. Jat, AGM (R-IV) and Shri Prakash Singhvi, CM (Per) accompanied the Chairman. Shri Singhvi, who is co-ordinating the programme in the Jaipur Module, informed the Chairman about the progress of the programme. The Chairman appreciated the program and the progress at the centre.
Towards the end, Ms Purnima Bhargava, Facilitator thanked the Chairman for his interaction. She expressed that new vision of fulfilment shown by this program has appealed to inner core of everyone. It is for the first time that we have been motivated for self analysis and came to know that when we help or contribute positively to someone then automatically in return, we get Inner Fruits, Outer Fruits and Joys of Contribution. This leads to prospering and flourishing of our own Tree of Fulfillment. Expressing gratitude from all participants to the Chairman, she shared the view that this is their first step on the path to Citizenship further much ground is to be covered which they all would cover as true Citizen SBI.
The Chairman Sir, won over all the participants with his simplicity, serenity and familiar smile. In their hearts, they all became committed to the Vision and Mission.- Purnima Bhargava, Facilitator

Phone a Citizen Friend (3)

In the "Phone a Citizen Friend" series, Mr Sabu Simon, SBLC, Indore telephoned some citizen friends who had attended the programme earlier and got the following responses:

SHRI VIKAS SHIVANI

Programme was excellent.

Lots of positive energy generated from this programme.
I was not organized. This programme helped me to organize myself.
I made some commitments during the programme. Now I am regularly doing the things as per my commitments.


SHRI M K RATHORE.

Programme was very nice. I am personally benefited. Got an opportunity to think about myself. Now I can understand the difference between “Duty” and “Positive contribution”. After attending this programme, when a customer comes to withdraw cash after business hours, now I do not say “no” as imagination and sympathy comes to my mind first.

SMT MEETA CHANDRA

Programme was excellent. It helped me to understand the need of giving Positive contribution for the society and to find some time for self.

SHRI SHARAD CHAND SOODEN

After attending the programme, it is learnt that “nothing is impossible”. Positive contribution and mind set compass were excellent. Programme helped me to understand my mindset and what mindset should be chosen for growth.

SHRI DEV KUMAR

My confidence level increased. It helped to develop relationship with customers.

SHRI S K VERMA

Programme was excellent. Tree of fulfillment helped to know the inner fruits available in doing some thing. We made the tree of fulfillment at home in which my daughter who is doing her B Tech at Chennai took keen interest. Really we enjoyed.

SHRI SUDESH AGRAWAL

The programme helped me to do the things in an organized way. The programme helped to increase my contribution towards society and organization. Tree of fulfillment was excellent.

Christmas time musings

It's that time of the year again - fun, frolic, friendship are in the air, along with, of course introspection and resolutions. And on account of undergoing the intense experience of the journey that is Citizen SBI, this year, it is also an opportunity to appreciate the real meaning of the life story of Jesus of Nazareth - his whole life was a process of giving. Giving his love, affection, understanding and vision of life, and ultimately his very life - to humanity. And is'nt Citizen SBI all about giving or contributing as we call it in the programme! So can we, as enlightened citizens, celebrate this Christmas with all the gaiety and piety and resolve this new year to realise the idea of contribution in our daily life? We indeed may do so, only if we try. Let's just try then and make it the most memorable Christmas and New Year of our life.

Neelabha Krishna Khare
SME Branch, Indore

A Good Samaritan

This is an incident of inner fullness narrated by a Sri S Gunasekar, Special Assistant , Chennai Main Branch:

"While I was working at our Madras University Branch, one day morning , our Record keeper Sri Jayavel (now retired) informed me that he found 3 girls in the busstop near the branch along with a middle aged lady. He told me that he was having some doubt and suspicion about the middle aged lady and he felt that something was fishy.

I immediatley rushed to the bus stop alongwith Sri Jayavel and Sri K Doss (now reitred ) another staff at the branch. As suspected by Sri Jayavel , the lady had picked up those girls from the Parry's Bus stand a famous place in Chennai. She had hoodwinked girls by enticing them that she would get them a chance to act in movies. The girls also appeared to have left from their home town , Bangalore in the fond hope of entering into the cinefiled in Chennai. They did not understand Tamil.

On our coming into the picture by interruption, the lady got into the bus which had just come into the bus stop bay and left the place.

We brought all the three girls to the branch and offered them breakfast. One of the girls was the daughter of a sub inspector. We were also having some fright in our mind because the three were girls. We approached one Philanthropic organisation viz: Udavum Karangal for necessary help.

Mr Vidyasagar the head of the organisation came to our branch and assured us that he would make all arrangements to send the girls to their homes.

By being an employee of SBI I had the courage and opportunity to become part of a good instance of saving the girls from the clutches of evil desings.

Even today I remember the alertness and the postive contribution made by Sri Jayavel our record keeper. I always take pleasure in remembering the incident which gave me innerfullness then and now.

Contributed by Balchandra Bhat, Chennai

Phone a Citizen Friend (2)

I have taken feedback from Mr. Jameel Ahmed, General Manager, Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, Raipur who has attended the programme a few days back at Raipur. He narrated his feelings as under:

The programme is wonderful. I could learn not only how to earn various fruits but how to get total fulfillment in life. Apart from Bank, I understood my responsibilities towards my family and society and resolved to discharge the same with determination.

I am infact feeling delighted. The various activities/excercises gave a lot of visualisation in life. As a result I am feeling that there is life beyond daily routine and started enjoying the life.

Jameel Ahmed, GM, CG Grameen Bank, Raipur

(Contributed by Arun Kalway, SBLC, Indore)

Phone a Citizen Friend (1)

It is proposed that the facilitators call random numbers of participants who have attended citizenship orientation programme earlier and get their feedback about the programme, what they found valuable in the programme and how the programme has impacted them. The feedback thus obtained may be shared in this forum. To start with I called Ms Neha Sharma, a probationer, posted at SMECC, Raipur(Chhattisgarh). She attended the programme on the 7th and 8th of December at Administrative Office, Raipur. Neha told us:

"I found the programme full of activity and enjoyed the various group tasks and video clips. The live examples of our staff members were very authentic and, as a new entrant in the bank, I learned a lot from them. I found the duty vs. contribution learning unit to be the most valuable one. I have realized that performing mere routine duty is not enough and one has to go beyond and make a positive contribution in all spheres of life. I feel I have become more sincere and dedicated after the programme and look forward to more such programmes eagerly."

- Neha Sharma, SMECC, Raipur

Come one and all, join together!

Audio/Video of a song composed by Citizen Nayak who discovered citizenship during one of the programmes at Bhubaneswar.

Come Friends, Come Colleagues!

In one of the programmes at Bhubaneswar , Citizen Shri Nayak , a professional Oriya singer, was prompted during Lunch by Mrs Tania Rath , facilitator to sing a song connecting the programme. Shri Nayak during high tea composed a song and sang. He told since he has discovered citizenship in him he is singing this song even though there is no instrument, stage, etc.
The English translation is as under:

Come friends come colleagues
Come one and all join together.
Citizensbi has ushered in us
Some new thoughts, new messages and a new way of life..
Who am I, What do I do
what is happiness and where is fulfillment!
Till today we were running in search of happiness
Contribution to others only brings total fulfillment.
Come…….
Come…….
Let us come out of the cage in search of Free State of mind
Discover happiness in openness and concern for others
Unlimited opportunities lie in every sphere of life
Avail opportunities, be concerned for others and get fulfilled
Come….
Come…..
B.K.Dash
IL-I,Citizensbi, Bhubaneswar .

Audio/Video of this song is available on this blog.

A Citizen Moment

In the ‘Citizen Moment’ sharing in the programme held at SBLC, Nungambakkam on 17th Dec, 2009 one staff member by name Shri. M Venkatesh, a recently recruited Ex-Serviceman, shared his memorable ‘Citizen-most’ moment (if I may be permitted to use the term) while he was serving the Indian Air Force in Jamnagar for four years. He recalled the dreadful day of 26th Jan, 2001 when Gujarat was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter Scale with its epicenter being Bhuj. It was the Jamnagar military Airport from where rescue operations were directed and Shri. Venkatesh was on duty during that period.
2. While the magnitude of the destructions was shocking to many, including the brave hearted Air Force personnel, Shri. Venkatesh was very bold and requested his higher officials to permit him to join the rescue operations in Bhuj, even though his duty was at the Jamnagar base station. Initially the higher ups were not willing to let him go as he had other works in the ‘radar’ system to help the aircrafts in landing and taking off. He reluctantly continued his work but went on repeatedly requesting his higher ups to let him go to Bhuj and do his ‘bit’ in the rescue operation. Seeing his enthusiasm to help people, he was permitted to go to Bhuj. The sight he saw there was mind-chilling with thousands of dead bodies, disfigured humans, cries of woes, etc. But un- deterred, he was on a ‘mission’. He started lifting the badly injured victims from the rubbles and debris to the rescue aircrafts in batches. He brought them to Jamnagar and with his friends arranged for some immediate medical treatment. The weather was biting cold and the victims had no spare clothes, except what they were wearing. He immediately set aside Rs.5,000/- from his pocket and started collecting money from his fellow Air Force colleagues. He could muster around Rs.50,000/- in no time and went around Jamnagar town to buy some clothes, eatables, medicines, etc for the victims. No shop keeper was prepared to open his shop in view of the earthquake and its aftermath. But, Shri. Venkatesh persuaded them by explaining the position of the badly injured victims and made them open the shops and bought all that was urgently needed – food, cloth and medicines. At Bhuj he also saw a three year old girl crying endlessly as she had lost her parents to the fury of the earthquake. Shri. Venkatesh could not understand the language of the girl – but she was pointing out to another boy who was injured but unconscious. Apparently the boy was the only person she knew amongst all the confusion. Shri. Venkatesh brought both the crying girl and the boy to Jamnagar for treatment. After the boy regained his consciousness after three days, he could identify the girl who was his neighbour. Collecting the names of the addresses of the relatives of the small girl with the help of the boy, Shri. Venkatesh made arrangements for sending the girl to her close relatives who had survived the earthquake.
3. The initial steps for rescue operations were mooted by Shri. Venkatesh who happened to be close to the epicenter of the earth quake and after a few days the whole world started sending teams for help to Gujarat. When Shri Venkatesh shared this emotional experience in his group’s ‘Citizen Moment’ the whole class was very much moved and started applauding his bravery, courage, willingness to take risks and above all his humanness. The group was very modest in building the ‘Tree of Fulfillment’ to this episode, with about three / four blue coins (inner fruits) and just about two white stars (joys of contribution). Shri. Venkatesh also was ‘humility’ personified in his presentation and behavior. The rest of the class corrected the aberration as Shri. Venkatesh’s feat deserved many more inner fruit and joys of contribution. As a facilitator I also guided the participants to understand the meaning of the words used in the ‘reference book’ for identifying the various fruits. Shri. Venkatesh’s human approach in acute adversities touched the class who all felt that the SBI was lucky to have this wonderful ‘Citizen’ new recruit in its ranks.
S R Raghunath
(Facilitator @ SBLC, Nungambakkam)

CitizenSBI Blog Salutes Citizen Ravi Naramdeo!

I had posted the following piece in this blog on December 8, 2009:
His Devotion Is Inspiring And Passion Infectious!
I was sitting in my office one day when one of my Citizen Facilitators entered along with a gentleman. The Facilitator introduced him as a Union Leader, an active participant of a recent Citizenship Orientation Programme and one who would like to "contribute".
I welcomed him and asked him to tell more about himself. He told me that he was specially trained in multi-media and would like to create a slide show for the SBLC covering its history, facilities available presently, academics etc. He also told me that so far he had got a lot from the Bank and was only in the "taking and receiving from Bank" mode but now he realized that he should "do" something for the Bank and he had come to the learning centre as this is one place where one can find avenues for expressing one's creative talents and contributing in a positive manner. I was more than happy to meet him and could sense right then that I am in for some good experience.
I told him that he is most welcome and that I had a lot of areas where I needed his immediate help as a multi-media expert. Then, we sat together and designed the header for this blog, shot and edited videos of some citizen moments, etc. He went around the SBLC campus, shot 110 photographs with his own camera and after burning a lot of midnight oil came up with a beautiful musical slide show which is in fact a tour of the SBLC for the participants giving them all information that they may need in an elegant way. This was recently launched by our Chief General Manager before a group of Marketing Executives.
What has impressed me most is his spirit of dedication towards task, the depth into which he delves, the vision that he has to look at various dimensions, his creative faculty and his constant search for excellence. He has seamlessly blended into our learning centre, rather the learning system, and has become an integral part of all new activities. He helped me to make multiple copies of the new 1.1 version of COP, design a new screen saver for the SBLC and is now working to develop our new professional SBLC website which will include information about Mandu, Onkareshwar, Ujjain, Maheshwari sarees etc.
The gentleman is a regular visitor to our premises in the morning and evening to discuss about the tasks in hand and show the completed ones. He goes back to his place, works till early hours and informs me about the progess over sms or e-mail, sometimes as late (or as early?) as 2.30 a.m. I feel privileged and proud to have him with us and learn from him. His devotion is inspiring and his passion infectious!
I am sure that this is just the beginning and I will have a lot more to tell about him.......
And now, I am proud to write once again about this Citizen Friend. He has completed the SBLC, Indore website and it has been hosted on intranet. It can be reached through the State Bank Times (Circles / Bhopal Circle / SBLCs / SBLC, Indore). You may also have a glimpse of the contents on the internet at http://sblcindore.blogspot.com/.
The gentleman is disinclined to display his name as the designer of the site and my persuasion to get his photograph for this column has not succeeded. His name is Ravi Naramdeo and he is posted at our Old Palasia branch, Indore. This blog salutes Citizen Ravi Naramdeo and his Citizenship!
You may also chip in your bit by going through the sites and dropping in a few words to our citizen friend at his e-mail address: ravi@naramdeo.com.
JAGAT SINGH BISHTState Bank Learning Centre
Indore

MOMENTS OF INNER FULLNESS

I would like to share the moments of inner fullness participant shared:

A lady participant narrated citizen story which was chosen by her group as well for sharing with the class. She had full time maid at her residence who stayed with her family for quite some time. One day in the evening the maid was not feeling well when this lady reached home from her office , she thought the maid will get well soon , but she did not and got worse by night , then she thought she should take her to hospital , she called the maid’s house and told her mother that the maid is not well and they take her so that they can ensure good treatment for her the way they desire but the reply came that she can take care herself , they are not coming to take the maid away. Now this lady decided since her maid’s health is deteriorating , to take her to the hospital without any further delay. She spoke to her husband to extend helping hand to her to enable her to take the maid to hospital but he did not , in fact he refused , but then she took a bold step, despite being a lady she alone took her to the hospital in the middle of night , ensured the required best treatment but the maid ultimately died . The hospital authorities said they will give the body only to maid’s family members and not to this lady . They wanted to ensure that there is no foul play in this . The maid’s mother was called and when she came she said this lady is more than mother to the maid because whenever maid went to her home she would not stay back at her home , she would always be in hurry to get back to this lady because she used to be so good to her . These words of mother of the maid ensured hospital authorities that there is no foul play involved and the body was handed over. All the rites for the maid were ultimately performed by this lady participant and she shared with the whole group that she had the feeling of inner strength , satisfaction of having done the good work with having human approach towards the maid and attending to her timely without loss of time. There was a big round of applause for her by the whole class.

Rajni Bala , SBLC , Guwahati

अपना जीवन ऐसा हो ..........

कुछकुछ लिखूं, न लिखूं ,क्या लिखूं, कैसे लिखूं ,प्रथम दृष्टया ये सवाल मेरे मन में आये सिटिज़न एस बी आई कार्यक्रम में सहभागीता के उपरांत, किन्तु तुरंत ही विचारों के ज्वार-भाटे इन मूढ़ प्रश्नों को निगल गए और मैं स्वतः स्फूर्त होकर अपने विचारों को लेखन में त्वरित गति से ढाला,मानो यह कोई प्रतिवर्ती क्रिया हो -यह सहज प्रक्रिया जो परिणाम था एक ऐसे कार्यक्रम के अन्तर्निहित प्रभाव का जो मानो मेरी आत्मा को झंकृत कर दिया हो .जी हाँ, यह कोई अतिशयोक्ति नहीं है । दो दिन के इस कार्यक्रम में मुझे ऐसा लगा -जैसे काल के हर क्षण ,हर पल को हमने पहली बार इतनी समग्रता से जीया हो.वास्तव में यह अनोखा कार्यक्रम आद्योपांत अपने आप में पूर्णतया डुबोए रखा .यद्यपि मैं ज्ञानार्जन केंद्र इंदौर के अंतिम सत्र का सदस्य था जिसमें अनेक वरिष्ठ एवं विशिष्ठ बैंककर्मी थे ,परन्तु कार्यक्रम की रूपरेखा ने इन सारे विशेषणों को समाप्त कर सभी सदस्यों को एक ही तल पर ला खड़ा किया.हम सभी सदस्य सामान रूप से जीवन, कर्त्तव्य,अधिकार,समाज के उन अनछुए पहलुओं को महसूस किये जो हमें मनुष्य की अनंत शक्तियों का बोध कराता है ,हमें आत्ममंथन एवं अपनी उर्जा ,क्षमता से स्वसाक्षत्कार कर अच्छा करने को संकल्पित करता है।
यह कार्यक्रम एक अद्भूत खोज की भाँति है,जो मूलतः हमें सकर्मक अंशदान के माध्यम से आत्मिक शांति की ओर केन्द्रित करता है .यह समग्रता के साथ वस्तुनिष्ठ रहने की विधि बताता है। यथा - जीवन में लक्ष्य को परिभाषित करना,परिपूर्ण जीवन की शैली कैसी हो ?अपने जीवन में विशिष्ठ योगदान के लिए सितिज़ेन्शिप का उपयोग कैसे करें ?..खुली मानसिकता ,स्वयम की खोज ,ये सब ऐसे चमत्कारी तत्त्व हैं ,की इनमें से एक पर भी अगर अपने आपको गंभीर किया जाए तो जीवन की दशा बदल दे .भला इन सब को अपने दैनिक जीवन में उतारने पर तो हम धरा पर बैकुंठ लोक की अनुभूति करें -बस फल ही फल मिले वो भी आंतरिक ।
सामूहिक क्रियाकलाप ,सामूहिक परिचर्चा एवं नाट्य निरूपण ने कार्यक्रम को हमारे दिलोदिमाग में पीरो दिया है .स्पष्टतया कार्यक्रम के पहले एवं इसके बाद की मनोदशा ,कार्यशैली,विचार-विन्यास में अंतर देखा जा सकता है , व्यक्तिगत रूप से मैं तो इसका हिमायती हूँ एवं हार्दिक आभार व्यक्त करता हूँ कोटी-कोटी इस कार्यक्रम के रचयिता एवं इसके अवधारक को । आशा है सिटिज़न एस .बी.आई. नामक यह कार्यक्रम हम समस्त बैंककर्मियों को एक नया मापदंड के निर्धारण में जीवनपर्यंत भूमिका अदा करेगा,एक नए सोंच, विचार का स्फुरण होगा एवं सफल जीवन को मानसिक अस्तर पर पुनः परिभाषित कर हमें इस संसार में कुछ देने के भाव को जागृत व अंकुरित करेगा और हम परिपूर्ण जीवन का आनंद लेंगे - अंततः यह आनंद शाश्वत होगा........!!!!

सिद्धार्थ शंकर
SMECC, इंदौर

Thanks for giving me the right direction in my life!

Since my childhood I believe in GEETA and in PAAP and PUNYA karmas. When I joined the Bank and after sometime I found that I spend my 80% time in Bank only and my society is my colleagues and my customers, and to do something good in life there is no need to go outside, you can do within our Bank premises. I started enjoying helping customers and it became my passion and sometimes I used to go out of the way and faced annoyance of my colleagues also. Result of all this is not the promotion or any monetory gain but a great feeling of PEACE for which people suggest number of efforts .
I always personally find a very strong bonding with my Bank, the reason is the Bank has given me an identity, an individual personality so that I am known in this world with my name and not with the name of my husband or children as usual in case of women. Not only this, the Bank recognized me time to time for my performance.
But since last few months gradually I started losing something from me which exactly I cannot describe but that was very painful for me, because I am not habitual of this type of feeling. I wanted to know from myself reason behind this, which is obviously my workplace situation not any personal reason (As I am very lucky enough that I did not experience any imbalance or disturbance between my personal and official life).
I was doing my duties regularly but without that energy or zeal, even when I was told to attend this program I had no interest as already said something was missing from my inside.
Thanks to my Bank again I am not feeling anymore pain from myself, after attending SBI citizen program at SBLC INDORE I again automatically recharged and the best thing is now I am able to perform with the new energy and feeling very light.

The Program is very well designed and I found participation was excellent; everybody was fully involved with all the activities of the program. We all are very lucky that we have such type of Leadership; Mr. Bhatt is giving us the feeling of togetherness and through his message I found him energetic all the time. I request Bank to organize such type of motivational programs on regular intervals.

ONCE AGAIN, THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN MY LIFE!

Rita Shukla
Chief Manager
PBB Vijay Nagar Indore

MOMENTS OF INNER FULLNESS

It is the Moments of Inner Fullness shared by the participants during
the Citizen SBI Programme on 14.12.2009.

1. During my tenure in the Advances section of my branch, I was dealing with Express Credit Loans. A person came to me for loan as his daughter was seriously ill. She was to be operated. So, I assured him that I will try to give him the loan before his daughter’s operation. But, due to some problem, his loan could not be sanctioned even the day before his daughter was to get operated. So, I talked to my Branch Manager, but he told me that the loan cannot be sanctioned without proper papers.

So, I thought a way out. That day I sanctioned a loan to a person well known to me. I asked him if he could lend some money to the person on my responsibility. Since, he didn’t have any urgency for the money, he accepted my request. I made both the persons to talk and the person whose daughter was not well, finally got the money and got his daughter operated. The next day, when the person’s loan was sanctioned, I paid the other person. In this way, I was able to solve the problem, without breaking any banking rules.

After helping the person, I got the inner happiness, in my short life as a Banker.

BIKRAM BARUAH
P.O. - 2009 BATCH
SMECCC, GUWAHATI



2. One elderly lady visited our Branch last Friday, with two bags. In her bag, lots of STDR receipts, Savings Bank account pass book and ATM cards were there. I made here to sit, offered tea and started to do her work one by one.
 I segregated her STDRs and stamped our seal. I listed out the account numbers of the remaining STDRs which were not transferred to our Branch.
 Secondly, I went with her to ATM, showed her how to use the ATM.
 She told me to get a rickshaw for her and I told my driver to drop her.
 Next day, she lost her bag where all the STDRs and ATM card were kept. She became restless. She started calling every half an hour. At last, I decided to visit her personally, She was very pleased because I consoled her and told her not to worry. I will do all the needful. She was satisfied.
 Next day on Sunday, she called and told me that she her bag and she was very happy and bless me like her daughter. She again called me to visit her place to get a cheque from her. She wants to give me all her money for our Branch. A very beautiful relationship was built between us.

Ms. Meenu Kumari
Zoo Road, Guwahati Branch.

Live Example of Positive Contribution

(‘Citizen’ experience from SBLC, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 11.12.2009)


The second day of the ‘Citizen SBI’ programme, co-facilitated by me and Shri. Ramanathan at SBLC, Nungambakkam began at 9.30 in the morning on 11 th Dec. We had three participants short and were doing the recap of the first day’s inputs waiting for them. Then one of them rushed in to tell me that it would take some more time for the three to come to the class as they were attending to an accident case in the ground floor of the SBLC.
Handing over the facilitation proceedings to my colleague, I went to the ground floor to see what was happening and why the three participants were held up. I could see another participant for the same programme, (but held in a different wing of the SBLC) was sitting in a chair with his arms, legs cheek bones, etc bleeding and was being attended to by the three participant of my class. On enquiry it was revealed that on his way to the SBLC in a two wheeler, he met with an accident and fell into a ditch. Luckily there was no fracture but the person had lots of bruises. Out of the three persons who were trying to give first aid to the injured staff there was one participant by name Dr. R Mala, our Bank’s medical officer attached to Chennai Main branch and also deputed to attend the ‘Citizen SBI’ programme. She immediately sprung into action, checked the injured staff and ruled out any fracture. On enquiry she came to know that the staff was also a diabetic and immediately ordered the canteen staff to provide him some food before administering any medicine. Not many knew that she was a physician (in the absence of normal white coat and a stethoscope round the neck) and took her to be another participant from some branch and were even telling her not to interfere and rush the person to a nearby hospital. But Dr. Mala was unperturbed and handled the situation calmly by ordering for some injection and medicines from the nearby pharmacy. By the time the medicines arrived the person had also had some food and was ready for the treatment. She gave injections and tablets to the injured staff and also assured him not to worry much as the injuries were only external. It was decided to send the participant home for taking rest and another of the three participants volunteered to accompany him to his house.
It was almost 10.15 AM when the three entered the class. Others in the class were not aware of the incident in the ground floor and were thinking that the three had arrived late due to some usual traffic related problems of Chennai city. When I shared with the class of what had happened and how Dr. Mala deftly handled the situation while treating the injured colleague, the whole class erupted into a thunderous applause in appreciation of her service as well as that of two other colleagues.
As the applause was dying down one of the participants in the class remarked “this is what is called Positive Contribution”. How true it was! The three could have played their ‘routine duty’ role of a trainee by being in the class at 09.30 AM. But they chose to be different resulting in exhibiting the ‘Positive Contribution’ traits of
· Spirit of Excellence
· Spirit of Service & Human Concern
The participants were also in praise of Dr. Mala, as later in the day she reeled out the names of all the 28 of her classmates by identifying each person correctly. When asked about how she developed this kind of memory she said “I have developed this kind of remembering names of people right from my early days. Basic thing is that I am interested in ‘people’ and I see how their faces glow when I call them by their names. Every human being wants recognition and if that is done by remembering his / her name nothing like that. Your base for ‘inter-personal’ relationships is laid strongly by this.” On hearing this ‘trade secret’ from Dr. Mala, the class once again erupted in cheers.
One thing is sure. As facilitator, if I am a keen ‘process observer’ I can draw lots of examples for the programme from our own participants and their actions. ‘Live’ examples reinforce learning much faster than any video film.


S R Raghunath - Facilitator ( Chennai Circle)

Swiss, Italian, Hungarian, Mexican, Pan Asian, Lebanese, Mongolian, Amritsari, Gujarati, South Indian, Indorean - What Outer Fruits Would You Like?

A couple of weeks back, I received an e-mail from the Chairman's Secretariat that our Chairman has got an invitation for a wedding at Indore and that I may send a bouquet on his behalf on the occasion.

Had I not undergone the Citizenship Orientation Programme, I would have asked my next Officer to procure a bouquet and go and deliver it at the wedding reception.

Having undergone the programme, I realized the difference between routine duty and positive contribution and also internalized that routine duty is not enough, we have to go a step ahead. So, this is what I did:

1. I searched for the Gentleman's name on the web as I felt the Chairman would be sending bouquet to some important personality of the town. And yes, he was there!
2. I went to the best florist in town, selected the choicest flowers and got a beautiful bouquet ready.
3. I got dressed up in my best suit and left for the wedding reception early.
4. It was a grand reception. I tried to locate the Gentleman mentioned in the mail. It was his nephew's wedding. I waited patiently to find some moments with him.
5. I proudly told him that Mr O P Bhatt, Chairman, State Bank of India has specifically asked me to convey his best wishes to him and the newly wedded couple. He was happy and narrated a few anecdotes about his meetings with our Chairman.
6. He then took me to the newly wedded couple and told them that I was representing the Chairman of SBI.
7. He also invited me to the grand dinner.Do I have to tell Citizens SBI what joy, fulfillment and inner fruits I derived?!

P.S. - By the way, I got so many outer fruits also that evening. There were Mongolian and Mexican dishes on the menu; also Italian, Swiss, Pan Asian, Hungarian, Lebanese, Amritsari, Gujarati, South Indian and last but not the least Indorean! All these to the tune of an enchanting European Music Band!!
- Citizen CoolBisht, Indore

An Egyptian Sphinx Story

During one of the programmes at Bhubaneswar a participant narrated an Egyptian Sphinx story which I think worth sharing with you all.

In Egyptian culture, the sphinx is considered as gateway to heaven. The sphinx asks two questions at the door step:

1. Did you get any joy from life?
2. Did you give any joy to others?

If your answer to either is negative then you are denied access to heaven.

This is quite relevant to our idea of innerfullness, positive contribution and enlightened citizenship.



B.K.Dash
Bhubaneswar

Hi SBI Citizens

Last week ,i had my Citizen SBI training at SBLC Raipur. The word training makes you imagine a classroom with a trainer and the content in the form of books/presentation... but this one was completely different , we had no trainers but facilitators. It helped me to analyze myself. Who am I and what am I doing here are very simple as questions and become very difficult to answer when asked to. Diffcult only because we never ask these questions to ourselves. Sense of belongingness can't be simply added to a person so easily, we just need to have it or it has to be there....But atleast we can realize this feeling....we hardly think about unintentional consequences, maybe because we are too sure to make things happen in our own way or we simply don't wanna think about them... How much do we relate to ourselves and the organisation we work for? certainly, there are no exact parameters to measure it but if u can just feel it- You make a mark. Citizen Sbi prog. raised all these questions which a person normally forgets to ask and answer in normal course of life..

Gagan Grewal
Raipur(Chhattisgarh)

CITIZENSHIP STORIES

During sharing of citizen moments in the class by the groups, a good number of touching stories have come to my notice। I would like to share some of those stories with the readers of CitizenSBI blog। Here is one such moment.
SABU P SIMON Facilitator SBLC, Indore



Narrated by KAILASH NATH GUPTA: DEWAS BRANCH.

This incident occurred, 16 years back, when I was posted as Field Officer at Chhindwara branch. One day evening, around 4.00pm, a lady aged nearly 21 years with a boy 1 ½ years with her came to our BM’s residence ( on the Ist floor of the branch building) and asked the BM’s spouse about her son whom she met on her journey from Jabalpur to Chhindwara. As BM’s spouse could not understand what the woman was narrating, the matter was reported to the branch.

At that time there were about 70 staff at the branch, about 15 to 20 staff members rushed to the BM’s residence including some 4-5 ladies staff and started asking many questions as if she came there for cheating them.

She narrated her story “that she was from a reputed family and had an inter caste marriage with a boy from Jabalpur who is a government servant. As the marriage was not acceptable to her parents, she was sent out from her house. But after a few years her brother met her and asked her to come to his home at Chhindwara. She was quite happy on her brother’s invitation and immediately left for Chhindwara. On her way to Chhindwara, a young man met her in the train who introduced himself as the son of the Branch manager of SBI Chhindwara branch, and told her that if she needed any help at Chhinndwara, she may feel free to contact him.

When she reached Chhindwara, she found that her brother’s house was locked and she thought about the young man whom she met on the way and went to BM’s house for help.

But at the BM’s residence she could not find any young man and the staff members were surrounded her asking many question. No body was bothered about the child or the lady and no body offered even a glass of water to the child. The girl was terrified.

Someone informed about the incident. I went to the BM’s residence. When I heard that she is from my home town, I asked her what her problem was. She told me the entire story. I asked her whether she ready to stay with my family and she readily accepted and I sent her to my home. Later my wife told me that the child was so thirsty and hungry that he virtually ate one packet of biscuit. She stayed with us and the next day I sent her to Jabalpur .

Later her husband met me and thanked me for the kindness I showed to his family. Later they invited me to their house and to their church and the Father of the church appreciated me for the kind act in front of the church members. The relationship is still continuing and that small boy has now become a young man and all the family members are maintaining the bank account with SBI.

VIRTUOUS CYCLE OF POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION

I wish to share my experience

VIRTUOUS CYCLE OF POSITIVE CONTRIBUTUION

One day during my initial days of facilitation , one of the participants present in the programme was the one with whom I had worked in two branches for brief period of 2 months and 4 months , who had seen me working in my work atmosphere , who had seen my attitude towards work , who had seen my approach to the work , who was aware how I speak to my colleagues , my customers , and the positive energy that I bring along with my operations in the work atmosphere , who would have silently appreciated my so called approach . I would be always making so much of noise in the work life , motivating my colleagues , building in the team spirit , keep on nagging them , do this work , we should be doing this , running around , being friendly with all the colleagues and always invariably operating from the being aspect day in and day out.

When this participant was told to think of some citizen story ( initial programme ) , she shared with me during tea time , madam when I had to think of some one and discuss with the group I felt like discussing , narrating about you , your approach in the work life , I could not think of anything better than this . Listening to what she said I felt so happy , it brought in me the inner strength that what I was doing was really appreciated even silently which an individual can relate even after 2 years or 5 years , the experience the individual had working with me . It brought in the faith in my own capacities to make a difference in the world around and resulted in strengthening me further to carry on the good work . Appreciation of your work really motivates you and what we say the virtuous cycle of positive contribution brings in more of outer fruits and inner fruits along with the joy of doing good work is a live example in my life scenario which I think will always remind me to continue it further.

Rajni Bala
Facilitator
SBLC, Guwahati.

एक अनुभव अपना सा ...

मुझे सिटिज़न एस बी आई कार्यक्रम से जुड़ने का अवसर सितम्बर माह के अंत में प्राप्त हुआ जब मैंने प्रथम बार एक प्रतिभागी के रूप में इस कार्यक्रम में भाग लिया । इसने न केवल मेरे मानस पटल पर एक अमित छाप छोड़ी अपितु मुझे अपने ही अन्तःमन में झाँकने के लिए प्रेरित कर दिया की आख़िर हमें ज़िन्दगी में क्या चाहिए ? हम यूँ ही भागते जा रहे हैं या हमें हमारी मंजिल का ज्ञान है? क्या हमें अपनी खुशी का एहसास है? क्या हम जानते हैं कि किस तरह हमें आत्म संतुष्टि मिल सकती है और कैसे हम जीवन में सम्पूर्णता प्राप्त कर सकते हैं?

इन्हीं प्रश्नों की खोज में कभी हम ध्यान गुरु की तलाश करते हैं तो कभी श्री श्री रवि शंकर जी की आर्ट ऑफ़ लिविंग की शरण में जाने लगते हैं। लेकिन अब कहीं और जाने की ज़रूरत नहीं ! मेरे विचार से हमारा यह कार्यक्रम इन सभी प्रश्नों का उत्तर देने में सक्षम है। समस्त जवाब ये अपने अन्दर समेटे हुए है।

एक फैसिलिटेटर के रूप में जितनी बार मुझे ये कार्यक्रम संचालित करने का मौका मिला , और गहनता से मैंने इसके बारे मैं विचार किया, उतनी ही बार एक नया दृष्टिकोण, एक नया विज़न मेरे सामने आया। आदरणीय श्री जगत बिष्ट सर ने एक मौका दिया है, इस ब्लॉग के मध्यम से, अपने इन्हीं अनुभवों को आपके साथ बांटने का, जिसके लिए मैं उनकी आभारी हूँ। इसी श्रंखला कि प्रथम कड़ी में मैं पूर्ण संतुष्टि या परिपूर्णता के वृक्ष की नई परिकल्पना पर अपने विचार आपके साथ बांटना चाहती हूँ।

परिपूर्णता का वृक्ष (Tree of Fulfillment):

इस कार्यक्रम का आधार "परिपूर्णता के वृक्ष" को समझने के बाद ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि ये हमारे अपने ही व्यक्तित्व का परिचायक है। जहाँ outer tree हमें अपने बाह्य व्यक्तित्व के बारे में बताता है वहीं inner tree हमारे आतंरिक व्यक्तित्व से हमारा परिचय कराता है ।

इस वृक्ष के मध्यम से सम्पूर्णता / पूर्ण संतुष्टि की जो परिकल्पना की गयी है वो सचमुच अद्भुत है। पहली बार सोचा या समझा की जब हम किसी की सहायता करते हैं , किसी के जीवन में कुछ सकारात्मक योगदान करते हैं तो उसे कितनी मदद मिलती है इसका आंकलन तो वह दूसरा व्यक्ति ही कर सकता है , पर इस छोटे से काम से हम अपने परिपूर्णता के वृक्ष को निश्चित रूप से हरा-भरा कर लेते हैं।

ज़िन्दगी की राह में किसी के काम आने से हमें मिलने लगते हैं बहुत से inner fruits और जब हम अन्दर से खुश हैं , संतुष्ट हैं, strong हैं तो निश्चित रूप से हम हर क्षेत्र में चाहे वो कार्यस्थल हो, परिवार हो या समाज हो , बेहतर प्रदर्शन करने की कोशिश करते हैं ।फलतः हमें प्राप्त होते हैं external fruits ।

जब हमें प्रतिष्ठा मिलती है, प्रशंसा मिलती है तो हम अधिक योगदान करने की चाह में अपनी आतंरिक योग्यताओं को और अधिक बढ़ने की कोशिश करते हैं जिससे inner fruits में निरंतर वृद्धि होती रहती है। इस तरह यह चक्र लगातार चलता रहता है और हमें अनवरत प्राप्त होती है एक आत्म-संतुष्टि, एक सुकून जो की अनमोल है और यही हम सबके जीवन का ध्येय है!

Purnima BhargavaSBLC, Ajmer