My work was not of real interest and my technical education and plant working experiences were pushing me to leave this purely office work. My ambition to become Chairman was further teasing me inside and I was looking for another change. It became clear that the plant would not welcome me back as equations changed and my nen-works performance was not being appreciated by people inside the plant. Also awareness in workers was enhanced and it was frequently putting managers in some difficulties.
This was time to test my knowledge about management gained through research in real application and that was my inner desire to know whether theoretical knowledge has some use in real life situations. The next opportunity came when a small subsidiary wanted to change the personnel head. The ED of Maharashtra Elektrosmelt Ltd wanted a new personnel man who could bring discipline particularly to control Union andAssociation activities. Reputation travels in the engine of the train which is used for travelling to reach destination. I had to peruse the change again vigorously as local management didn't want to release me. I knew that systems were set and my deputy could manage the show effectively. This was told repeatedly by me to various concerned people particularly ED(Personnel) of the plant. I also paid a visit to MEL to meet ED of the place who was impressed by me which was natural and he nodded. Some dramatic happenings delayed the move by a few months. Finally after five months' efforts the transfer materialised. I surprised my family and friends once again with this dramatic move. My two sons were admitted to Delhi University Colleges and my wife easily got ready to move. I left my house under supervision of my dearest college friend who later rented the place. I had taken a blind risk in good faith and never criticised my friend even when I was in difficulties. I trusted him and he acted accordingly.
One fine morning I sat in my car on summer days with my elder son who was selected in a Papermill in Orissa and reached MEl, a company with 1200 men, just one average size department of a steel plant. I left my 24 years friends and acquaintances to grow in my career. Nothing was certain but for the job which continued. We travelled in summer for two days hiding tears in our eyes. I also had many apprehensions. The only positive part was a new area of expertise which was HR. I was to earn and eat and also take severe criticism.
Later I found that all the executives were there waiting to jump out from the boat at the earliest opportunity. All of us together planned to make life better and enjoy company. There wasn't a lesser number of devil's indulging in wrong practices like taking commissions, misuse of company resources and backbiting whenever possible. Some came to stay for long, mainly locals, and they often raised objections to any forward movement. The association and unions wanted to indulge in local politics. I now prepared to make moves and gained the confidence of the ED, who also preferred to make hay when the sun shined. This was many times disturbing and loneliness was biting. My wife became close to the mother of ED, an elderly person with her defined mannerism and styles of living. She was loved by daughter in law and was controlled by her in day to day life. This closeness reduced some loneliness but evening walks without fail added some life and we enjoyed the sight of wild boars and deers grazing behind our residence. Our forest background helped to keep us happy.
Plant working was dependent on electricity supplies from the Board and disrupted many times. Workforce worked slowly and expected more money. Contract labourers were working almost half in numbers in the yard engaged in breaking and loading in wagons. Contractors had understanding with leaders of the Union and Association who mainly spent time in meetings with ED who visited sites very less leaving all problems to be solved by DGM(Works). The person was technically sound but local engineers kept him under pressure. Quite often IR problems developed which were resolved by my deputies. I had to plan meetings with ED. I was given independence in working and gradually I earned the confidence of the Union which was not liked by Association President complained to the Corporate Office. This was a new area to be tackled as Corporate Office often used influences of Association for hiking issues and also overcame resistance from Central Unions. The Director (Personnel) also played games and a small unit like MEL was of no importance. Finally we from SAIL units had to fight our own battles. Local political leaders also interfered and disturbed. In all it was a unit full of problems while producing essential ingredients for steel making.
I had a small team of six and gradually we became change agents. All members joined hands and fought unitedly in case of any crisis which was not liked by other executives. My approach was welfare oriented and the majority of workers liked our ways of working. We also organised a social get together in the Guest House where I stayed for about a month after joining in one room accommodation till we moved to a Two Bedroom Flat.We missed our big house but tolerated it for achieving my career goal.
Wage revision was due and often both Union and Association agitated but Corporate Office ignored and gave a second grade treatment in the whole set up. I decided to fight for wage revision and moved a dozen proposals for new pay scales for workmen. The fight continued for almost one year when it was implemented after a prolonged strike of violent nature. I was constantly threatened and left alone to fight with a personnel team of six persons. It was not pleasant to the Director(P) and he avenged this by transferring me to a more difficult place in Kulti(West Bengal) where I was to get tempered. I received a transfer order in connivance with the new ED and believed it to be allotted in my destiny. I managed to keep employees happy and satisfied even though my executive friends never felt happy and tried to avenge even later. Thus two years passed in agony and stresses caused mainly by people within the organisation. I was not certain if I could find the usefulness of management study. Perhaps the place was too small to experiment and see the results.