MOMENTS OF INNER FULLNESS

This is the moments of inner fullness shared by one participant during Citizen SBI Programme at SBLC , Guwahati on 04.01.2010.

One beautiful saturday, after finishing my Bank's duty at 2.00 p.m., I started my journey to Guwahati from Nagaon with my brother in our car at around 3.00 p.m. I was in a hurry as I have to participate in a shooting programme of T.V. serial sharp at 6.00 p.m. When we reached Silchong, about 40 kms away from Nagaon, saw a gathering of people with anxiety and excitement in their faces. We stopped our car near the gathering and enquired about the facts. We came to know that just 15 minutes before an accident took place and one young boy was severly injured in that accident. People were trying to give information to nearby police thana, that is Mullic and also send the injured youth to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment. As not a single was stopping despite their attempts, people were helpless.

After hearing everything from the local people, I took up the youth bathed with blood in to my car with the help of one local person and rushed to the hospital. On the way, we entered into the Police Thana and informed the police about the incident. Police advised us to take the patient to Jagiroad Peper Mill Hospital and they will be following us after visiting the accident spot. We did accordingly and patient was admitted at Jagiroad Paper Mill Hospital. During the process, we informed the parents of the pateint and told them not to worry. After some time, doctor came and checked the patient thoroughly and told us not to worry. I again rang up the parents and told them about the development. Time was already 8.15 p.m. I had to reach my shooting spot by 6 p.m. Already 2 hours late. I told my problems to the doctor who permitted me to leave patient at the hospital without any tension. Finally, I left the hospital at 8.30 p.m.

I reached Guwahati at around 10.00 p.m and started shooting. At around 1.30 a .m. a telephone call was received in my mobile. It was the parent of the injured youth calling me to thank. You have done a great job. Becuase of you only, we got our son back alive. He is shifted to Guwahati Medical College hospital and now out of danger. "Thank you very much Mr. Borah, Thank you very much."

I went to bed at 5.00 a.m. after completing that night's schedule. My heart, my mind was full of self satisfaction. "SBI people are always helpful", a comment from the crowd at Silchong always inspires me to do further good things for others.

LIFE OF ADVERSITIES, YET THE HEART GIVES….

Straight from the first citizenship orientation programme for messengers conducted at SBLC, Indore:


Ms. Sheela Raikwar, Messenger, posted at Ujjain Main Branch, belonging to the poor manjhi community, was married at the age of 14 and at 22, became a widow after a not so happy married life. Her husband was an employee of SBI and on his death in 1995; Sheela was given a job on compassionate grounds in the year 2001.



She used to make ‘agarbattis’ and earn Rs. 1500/- per month to meet her and her son’s daily needs, before she joined the bank. What carried her along her tumultuous life was her love for her son, which was to the extent of refusing a second marriage. A good looking woman, Sheela, struggled through out her life, determined to make the life of her son by denying herself all comforts of life. She put her son in a hostel costing her Rs. 35000/- p.a. and vowed not to purchase any new thing for the house till he completed his studies On Saturdays she spends 3 hours with her son in the hostel and feels his absence otherwise.



She herself had just completed her 8th class, when she joined SBI, went on to complete her 10th and now is thinking of doing her 12th class and is aspiring for a promotion as a clerk. She has planned her savings also, by setting aside Rs. 1000/- every month so that she can meet future needs also.



Life added to her pain when she met with an accident about a year and a half ago at night when she was hit by a vehicle that damaged her leg. Doctors have advised an operation of the leg which will cost her Rs. 60,000/- for which she will have to wait till she is financially able.



Marriages of girls in her caste, costs Rs. 5000/-. But since her community is very poor, they cannot afford even this amount and girls stay unmarried and treated as burdens in the family. Sheela has a heart that feels for such poor girls and she donates whatever she can to get the girls married.



Today, after CITIZENSBI programme, she has taken a vow to give as a gift a minimum of Rs. 2000/- to a poor girl every year for their marriage and that she will happily do whatever more she can do for them and her community to reduce the pains of poverty.

On being asked about her inner fulfillment she narrates how her son took great care of her for 3 months, carried her around and served her throughout, adding with pride that he is now 17 years old, taller than her and looks capable Her face beams, as she recollects those 3 months when her son, by serving her gave her so much joy which she didn’t get even from her husband.



She believes girls must be educated and take up a job so that they can face life squarely and not be dependent upon others.



At 38 today, life does not hold much for her personally, but she would like to do her best for others. Though with limited means, she hardly complains about life’s adversities and looks forward to a future of giving to the not so fortunate and to make life easy for those who come her way. She appears peaceful, soft spoken and contended with life.



It is amazing that people with all the luxuries of life hold on to material things, are unable to give, do not carry even a smile on their face for others and keep complaining of how bad life is!



No doubt, it is the giver who is truly gifted in life, the rest though rich in material possessions, but without a hand extended in service for mankind, lives life like a curse!

Contributed by Harina Sharma, Facilitator, SBLC, Indore

CitizenSBI Programmes at Khajuraho and Orchha

भारतीय स्टेट बैंक के इतिहास में एक अध्याय जुड़ा था जब परिवर्तन नामक कार्यक्रम शुरू हुआ. मुझे याद है जब मैंने कार्यक्रम में शिरकत की मुझे अन्दर से लगा वास्तव में हमारे अन्दर कितनी सारी संभावनाए है जिससे हम जिन्दगी के इस पड़ाव पर पहुँचने के बाद भी अनभिज्ञ हैं, नसरुद्दीन शाह की वह क्लीपिंग आज भी मुझे याद है.

पिछले दिनों में हमारे रीजन में तो अक अभिनव् प्रयोग हुवा हमारे रीजन की अधिकारियों एवं कर्मचारियों को सिटिज़न एस बी आई की लिए जब उन्हें खजुराहो तथा ओरछा जैसी मनोहारी जगहों पर बुलाया गया तो सारे बेहद रोमांचित थे सभी ने पांच सितारा होटल की लॉबी में जब अपने आप को पाया और शाम को कार्यक्रम ख़त्म होने की बाद लाईट एवं साउंड शो देखने की उत्सुकता ने हमें फिर से बचपन याद दिला दिया !

कार्यक्रम बेहद रोचक था कार्यक्रम के दौरान जब एक प्रतिभागी ने अपनी कथा सुनायी ! आज से बीस वर्ष पूर्व ब्लड डोनेशन के बारे में बेहद कम लोग जागरूक थे , कई माताएं अपने बच्चे को सिर्फ इसलिए मना कर देती थीं कि उनका लाल दुबला न हो जाये . इसी कशमकश के बीच एक प्रसंग आया और किस तरह उस खून का सदुपयोग किया गया कि ये स्मृति आज भी अपनी यादो में ताजा है.

कार्यक्रम दो दिनों तक चला पता ही नहीं चला कब समय गुजर गया और जब चलने का समय आया तो कैमरे में अपनी स्मृति संजोकर आप लो प्रेषित कर रहा हूँ. आपको ब्लाग सिटिज़न एस बी आई लिखने के लिए धन्यवाद आपका यह भागीरथ प्रयास निश्चय ही गंगा (सिटिज़न ) को भारतीय स्टेट बैंक में अवश्य लाएगा तथा हमें अपने जीवन के अर्थ समझाने और कुछ अच्छा कर जाने के लिए प्रेरित करेगा , इसी साधुवाद के साथ.

Bhanwar Purohit

RBO, Chhatarpur (M. P.)






Photographs by Bhanwar Purohit

Making a Difference in the life of a down trodden family

‘CITIZEN’ EXPERIENCE FROM SBLC, NUNGAMBAKKAM. CHENNAI- 29.12.2009

In the ‘Citizen SBI Orientation Programme’ held on 29th Dec, 2009 at SBLC, Nungambakkam a fairly junior colleague by name Ms. J Michael Agnes Santha from CPPC, Chennai shared her memorable ‘Citizen moment of Inner fullness’ which was really a touching experience not only for her but also for the entire class who were listening with rapt attention. The moment goes like this:
“I joined SBI on 9th August, 1996 and was posted to a remote area branch by name Kolappalur. I used to go to the nearby church often and one day I saw two or three young boys and girls playing inside the compound. The moment I had a look at them and their dresses, it was clear that they were hailing from a very poor and down trodden family. I slowly interacted with those kids and was proved right when they said that their parents used to beg and feed them with whatever alms they used to get daily. I also checked up with their parents and was shocked to know that they not only had food problem but also shelter problem as the entire family was living on pavements and platforms. When probed more, I came to know that the mother of the kids knew how to prepare bamboo baskets and to buy the raw materials they had borrowed from local money lender at very high interest. As the interest had to be paid daily, they found it very difficult to meet both ends meet. Many days they had to starve or drink only water. The moment I came to know of their plight I was deeply moved and was wondering why such a thing should happen to such poor people. At that moment itself I was determined to help this family, come what may.
I thought deeply as to how to help the family in a very useful way. I decided first to approach Mother Superior of the Church in seeking admission in their school for the three kids – two girls and one boy. Mother Superior told me that some initial expenses (for uniform, books, etc) will have to be made. As I had just then joined the Bank I did not have enough money. That was the time when our Branch received the Annual Staff Welfare Fund allotment of Rs.2,500/- which generally would be spent on coffee, tea, library, etc. expenses. I appealed to the entire staff as well as to the Branch Manager, citing the plight of this poor family and requested them to set aside the entire Staff Welfare Fund allotment of Rs.2,500/-. I was very happy when they all agreed to my request (even though I was a junior) and also added their own little contribution of money to meet the school admission and hostel expenses. On my appeal, our staff members as well as some customers obliged by sparing some old clothes for the kids. These steps ensured the kids’ school and hostel admission. The kids’ joy knew no bounds as for the first time in their life they were going to have a shelter and timely food through their school.
I wanted to do some more for the family’s income. I requested my Branch Manager Mr. Raj to find out some scheme through which we can finance for their bamboo basket business. Initially a sum of Rs.5,000/- was given as a loan for buying bamboo sticks. The parents of the kids were very happy to receive the loan at a cheaper rate and with their hard work repaid the amount in two months time. Next time a loan of Rs.10,000/- was given and again through hard work they repaid in very short time. This encouraged the branch to enhance the loan to Rs.25,000/- and by now their earning was steady and they even could repay their other outside loans. In fact a few of the gold ornaments which was pawned to local money lender was repaid and I asked them to avail our Bank’s gold loan at a very cheap rate. I also made them open a savings bank account with our Branch and they started depositing regularly their surplus money. Their joy knew no bounds at these positive developments in their lives including the education of their children. The mother of the children Mrs. Kamakshi, literally cried in disbelief as she said “I was all along thinking that our fate is destined to be that of nomads and we will die in poverty, when all of a sudden you Shatha amma came like a God in our lives.”
I went one step further to ensure hassle free education for the kids. I approached the Village Administrative Officer and the Tahsildar to obtain the caste certificate as they belonged to the SC / ST communities. I got the same and gave it to the family and told them about the various welfare measures, concessions, etc available through government schemes both for the parents and also for the children. My role model is Mother Theresa. Even though, I couldn’t do many sacrifices or yeomen services like her, I had the immense satisfaction of acting like a ‘candle’ which brought ‘light’ into the lives of one poor family. One day Mrs. Kamakshi, the mother came to me and showed her forearm and I was stunned in disbelief when I saw my name ‘Agnes Shantha’ tattooed there. I really started crying and was very much moved at this gesture of that lady, as I hugged her. I had the immense satisfaction of ‘making a difference’ to the life of one down trodden family and thanked God for giving me this opportunity. Of course my colleagues, my Branch Manager and some customers also helped me in all these happenings and I once again thank all of them. Later on I was transferred and Mrs Kamakshi came to my place to attend my wedding and stayed in our house for a couple of days. This is my ‘Citizen Moment of Inner fullness’ ”
The entire class erupted with claps on hearing this unforgettable experience of Ms. Agnes Shantha and appreciated her for being a true ‘Citizen SBI’ even at the beginning of her career way back in 1996. Before the claps could die down, another participant Shri. T N Santhanakrishnan, head of CPPC (and her boss) stood up to say that even though he was working with Ms Santha for the last six months, he knew her only as a silent worker and this brighter side of her was known to him only now and said that he would convey her achievements to the rest of the CPPC staff as soon as goes back. Once again the class thundered with applause. One learning point for me as a facilitator from this experience is that many times we do not ‘know’ our colleagues deeply as there is little time to know each other in our work place. We work mechanically without knowing/ realizing that there are several ‘gems’ around us.
S R Raghunath - Facilitator, Citizen SBI – Chennai Circle - sent on 04.01.2010

A Citizen's Vocabulary

State Bank Acquires A New Lexicon

I visited one of the CPCs in my Circle recently where I happened to overhear this conversation between the marketing and processing staff:

" This boy is not even able to provide us his residence proof and photo identity. How can we process his education loan application?"

"But he is an exceptionally talented student. And very honest too."

"Just find a way out. Let us try to help this poor boy."

"Yeah, here is a case where we have to go beyond our routine duty and make a positive contribution."

" We will get a lot of inner fruits to cherish if we help him out."

In another case, a lady assistant in a semi-urban branch told me that she used to lose her patience while dealing with old pensioners. After attending the citizenship orientation programme, she is able to see the inner fruits that she will get by serving them with compassion. As a result, she gets a daily quota of the joy of contribution.

Every group and class has its own peculiar vocabulary. The gangsters have their own vocabulary and the spiritual beings their own. Sports persons use a different lexicon and the film stars have their own. So is the case with computer professionals and the factory workers. To each his own jargon and lexicon.

The new dictionary of SBI nowadays is filled with meaningful words like Inner Fruits, Outer Fruits, Joy of Contribution, Positive Contribution, Total Compensation, Evolving Citizen, Contribution Space etc. People try to tell each other to come out of their "function" state and behave as a 'being". I have also heard people telling each other that such and such person was an Amar or Akbar or Antony all through. A Branch Manager was recently complimented by his staff with these words - "Madam, you have made a lot of value contribution to this branch after you joined here."

It is rather easy to crack passwords these days. They are usually kept as contribution or fulfillment or compensation.

And finally citizenship has touched our sense of humour also - " Sir, you were always an evolving citizen. Since the day you joined the Bank we knew that you are an Anthony. And still you are going strong. If you keep on going like this, one day you will surely become "amar" (immortal)."

Jagat Bisht, Indore

jagat.bisht@sbi.co.in

It has changed my life!

A letter received by one of our facilitators (Mr. Santosh Pore, Mumbai Circle) from a doctor participant:

My dear Santosh,
I will remember 19th November 2009 throughout my life because it has changed me. Overall, it has changed my life.
Listening to you on that day and I missed you very much on the 20th.
Your deliberations with all the staff were very excellent. You gave your personal touch to everybody. Your delivery was par excellence. You are a high achiever and I want to have friendship with you (half of which has already occurred).
I wish you all the best in your life - personal, occupational and social.
- Dr ........

Our CHOICE of 'CITIZENSHIP' will sure have WINNING CONSEQUENCES !!!

Here's wishing each one of you a very joyful, happy and prosperous New Year!

Life is like a game of chess and you play this game with HIM. After every move of yours, HE makes the next move. Your moves are called "CHOICES" and HIS moves are called "CONSEQUENCES". You will be tested....you will be challenged...you will be pushed to the brink. However, when you are found to play the game well, HE wins by allowing YOU to win the game!

Our CHOICE of 'CITIZENSHIP' will sure have WINNING CONSEQUENCES !!!
Jeanne

A Contribution - Jointly and Severally

It was a normal office day in the Regional Business Office. Amid flurry of phone calls and signing letters, a messenger entered my cabin with a visitor’s slip bearing a lady’s name. I had noticed that since I took additional charge of RASMECC, the number of my visitors had sharply increased . They came with usual complaints about delays in sanction and various objections raised by processing officers.

Now it was almost one month since I took over dual charge of Regional Office and RASMECC. Luckily , RASMECC Head , who had been drafted as facilitator of SBI Citizen Training, was due to return next day and boy, was I looking forward to his return!

I steeled myself for another barrage of complaints and called my visitor in. However, to my chagrin , I saw not one but three visitors streaming into my cabin : two ladies ; apparently mother and daughter, and a somewhat strange looking frail young man who turned out to be brother of the young lady. It was about a housing loan which had turned into NPA.

After a while it became clear that the daughter was the spokesperson and the Housing Loan was in the name of her father. Her mother was silent all along. They wanted some relief - a compromise. I was already busy with other issues and thinking that RASMECC Head was in any case joining tomorrow, I tried to brush her off. I suggested that she should go and see the SAARC Incharge; he will be the right person to discuss this. “I have met him, Sir”, pleaded the daughter-“ But my offer of compromise was not accepted.”

Now I started inquiring in detail. It turned out that her father had died sometime ago and her brother was mentally deranged. Mother was not employed anywhere but daughter was earning a small amount through petty business activities. Despite their meagre means she was offering a compromise so that the family could retain a roof over their head. Apparently they had received notices from RASMECC.

“Well, if the offer is not acceptable to the bank, why don’t you raise it a little?” I asked . Daughter suddenly looked at her mother and told me –“ Sir, my mother is suffering from AIDS, here is her doctor’s prescription and certificate.”

Suddenly the family’s plight hit me hard : here was a family where father had died, mother had contracted a terminal illness, the only son was mentally unfit and the daughter was not in any regular employment yet they wanted to square off their bank- loan in a dignified manner by requesting a compromise. I briefly discussed it with my Chief Manager (Rural) and asked her to come next day with a proper offer letter.

Next day , when she came, RASMECC Head had joined his duty. Before sending her to RASMECC, I picked up phone and pleaded with AGM of the Cell on behalf of the family and asked him to see how much relief he could offer to them. He listened to me attentively and promised to look into the matter.

In the evening he called back-“ Boss, we have haggled a bit , but accepted her compromise offer.” I don’t know why but I experienced an unexplainable feeling of satisfaction. Somehow I felt that three of us viz my CM(Rural), AGM (RASMECC) and myself , made a small but significant difference in somebody’s life.

We did not perform any stupendous or earth shattering task but whatever little we did, it was worth doing.

Siddharth Bajpai
Regional Manager, Region 5, Ujjain (MP)