THEY HAD EMPTIED THEIR CUPS……..

...AND WERE VERY RECEPTIVE

Just as we were to begin the programme of Citizen SBI for messengers at our SBLC, we were given to believe that it may prove tough explaining the concepts to them.

During my career, since I had come across a number of messengers whom I felt could have easily gone in for higher education and jobs of a higher order, but for their weak financial background, I already had a soft corner for them. In fact, I had learnt a lot from the messenger class, practically and gained much from their knowledge of local environment, as I climbed the ladder of success but, unfortunately, most of them continued where they were due to family and financial constraints.

I was, therefore, hardly surprised to watch them interpret the new concepts so exceedingly well and absorbing the ideas so easily, adding their experiences and finally appreciating the programme that this has been the best they had attended in their career.

Such active involvement of the messenger participants, with a sincere desire to learn and change and high regards for the facilitators was simply, overwhelming for us.

It moved my heart when, one of the participant, stood up and took a vow to give up drinking after understanding the need for inner fruits and positive contribution. One more followed to give up eating of tobacco. Some of them admitted that they were whiling away their time in office before, but now vowed to work honestly and do their best for customers and the bank. A few agreed that they had never paid attention to their family members and henceforth would take greater care of them. Some more decided to educate their children to the best of their capability and make them good citizens, thus achieving greater fulfillment.

All said and done, the experience of being a facilitator for Citizen SBI for messengers has not only been very fulfilling but has given me an additional insight about life.

Contributed by HARINA SHARMA, FACILITATOR, SBLC, INDORE
reena.sharma@sbi.co.in