Desikamani

Desikamani looks a typical son-of-the-earth kinds; tall at over 6 feet, strong like the Ambassador car, an aquiline nose, animated movements (one feels like he has those skating shoes). There is nothing filmstar-ish about him though the hair at the top is beginning to grey from approaching 40, his dark face sports an impish grin. But once he begins to talk, then there is no stopping. He is in that sort a professor who will analyze elaborately all the pros and cons, weigh both sides and come to a decision. Mani talks infinitum even on how to brush the teeth or something so mundane that others in the vicinity would swoon. 

            Talking to excess is a drawback but the man has some sterling qualities too; he is wonderful family man, dotes on his two daughters and has a passion for work that I have rarely chanced across. No man would have invested so much time, passion, and energy on “learning process” as Mani. My nickname for him was “Gagne Iyengar”. He knows every goddamn theory on learning process on his fingertips.  

I never liked or thought much of him when I worked in Mentor. I still don’t understand as to why they hired me and allowed me to rot. I found it impossible to relate to two fat petticoats in the office and it is here that Mani failed me. He took their sides despite my higher competence and maturity. The days dragged on and when I quit there was no love lost on either side. Despite this, Mani does generate that friendly feeling so much so that I sought his assistance in a job search as months piled up and I was getting nowhere.

At the office he had the penchant of dragging subordinates to the conference and give presentations using colour markers against used printouts nicely gummed for usage on the blank backside. Mani’s English is first-rate but he talks like a bureaucrat on ND TV; select with words with care but dilute it so much for accuracy as to not mean much. Nothing ever comes out of his mouth that is short, crisp, and direct. One of those characters who would probably feel insecure when they are quiet.  

As a manager, he is completely non-interfering to the extent that others take him for a ride. Mentor is a very high paying company and yet they produce lousy work. Mani is an evangelist for “multiple stimuli” model and not a day would pass without a 30 minutes passionate lecture on the subject. He is not blessed with a managerial ability to build the right team or the energy to actualize the idea. That “professor” image holds; knows all the answers and not translate them to reality.  He is one of the rare people who can stomach criticisms for subordinates.   

There is that “earthy” simplicity about the man and that is reflected in his house. This leather sofa set has become rugged and worn away and yet the man has not changed it. Somehow it even defines that “Brahmin” nonchalance for material things in complete contrast to the “Punjabi”. At the house, he is the king as his two young daughters keep running to him. There is positive air of culture as the 8 year old elder daughter in a “pavadai” and his wife preparing coffee for the guests. It looked the innocence of the throwback Hyderabad days of my growing years.  

            But the brightest thing about Mani is he is compassionate and an ear for the underdog. He is rich but he has not forgotten his roots or days of struggle. He will not steal, cheat, or do anything underhand. His rich, throaty laughter makes for amiability despite the other imperfections.

Verdict: Sattvic (if you forget the two petticoats’ incident)

Lesson to be learned: Don’t talk so long and don’t explain until asked or required.