Between Bollywood melodies, we work a bit in Pune

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The title of this post says it all. Is it every decade that you end up in a work environment that provides daily moments of utter panic interspersed with colleagues deciding on an impromptu ‘Bollywood singathon’ and serious discussions about the best mango farms in a 100 km radius? I think it’s probably once a lifetime thing. Therefore fortunate are ye all who have experienced the pinnacle of whacky working in this western city of India :D

A far cry from the very ‘propah’ British office, each day it is a mystery whether I will be greeted by a new bespoke song, a breakfast order of “omelette pao”, or everyone suddenly clapping as you enter. You guessed it - my local colleagues were winding me up with the clapping. There was raucous laughter as I looked totally confused. I looked over my shoulder to check if someone important had come in. Then rolled my eyes and grinned. I had picked the short straw that day.

I have woefully accepted that it can’t be a “jalebi day” every day. I’ll get even guys, just waiting for the right moment [wicked smile]. Incidentally jalebi (sugar-dripping, wriggly Indian sweet, absolutely yummy when hot and crispy) is the treat when guests arrive. "Guest" has a loose definition here. If you wander in from anywhere in a few km radius you may just about become a “guest”. For the purpose of jalebi-ordering only. You may also be asked to join the Bollywood medley mix – all grades of singing welcome.

Did I mention the fake American accents my colleagues purposely spout occasionally? Better than the real ones I reckon.  When bored, just change your accent. An American drawl gets emails moving. Doubly hilarious as the business operations I’m here for is being run by an American entity. We haven’t tried the ‘fake accents’ in earshot of our American colleagues yet. I hear giggles already.

Feel like you are not contributing to the well being of Planet Earth? Join the gang here as we have planted a dozen trees (yipee!). Or if that’s not your thing, then as my colleagues say: Maharashtra has had a drought - save water, drink booze neat.


Yes, these are my clients and I have completed over 100 days in their offices. Now that deserves some wild clapping. What did you say my fellow Puneri workmates? "We are like this only" :-)

 To prove this our in-house Radio Jockey (read “boss’) will play my favourite song on demand via YouTube. On full volume. Pantry boys just ordered vada pao and chai. Hang on, did someone miss the bus? Don't worry, keep calm. All right so the internet is flaky, the printer is printing everything in landscape today but the hot tiffin “dabba’ has arrived on time and there are Grade A mangoes in the pantry. Someone is walking a labrador in the corridor. Just another day at work. 

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Comments

  1. UnknownJune 25, 2016 at 10:36 AM

    As they say in India, it will all be fine in the end - if it is not fine now then it is not the end.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ashwin PrabhuneJune 25, 2016 at 11:08 AM

    Ira you forgot the cycle rides the birthday cake skin pack and the bus cake...hehehehe

    ReplyDelete

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