Xavier's cornucopia

HISTORY OF REDEMPTION My life in ICI started with the construction department in 1977.   In the construction section there were many engineers.  Construction of two Plants were under progress  The Bulk Drug Plant under U K consultant Humphreys and Glasgow and the Gramoxone Plant under Simon Carves.  Early in the morning there will be a convergence of all India engineering talents with the intent of lifting the nation  or National productivity in a single day.   The Engineering department from Calcutta poured bundles of drawings for the gramoxone plant, whereas the Bombay unit showered materials for Bulk drug plant on a daily basis. When the drawings receipt are registered in the book meant for it,  the respective engineers would scramble for the drawings and delay in finding the drawing would create havoc.  The complaint would go the Chief Construction Manager Mr S C Mithra or to the Asst Construction Manger Mr K V Chary,  that t...

After the unceremonious exit from Aban's Bongaigaon site, I came back to my home in Chennai.  My parents were upset for some days and normalcy returned and consoled themselves saying no more roaming round Indian construction sites,  asking me to confine for a job nearer to Chennai itself.  I went back to my CA firm where I worked for 2 years before joining the construction firm.  A K Nahar was a Marwari chartered accountant who was very much pleased with me while I worked with him.  He asked me to join straight away.   Regarding the salary, he asked me how much you have been drawing when you left 4 to 5 years back.  I told him it was Rs 120/= then hoping he would increase a little bit.   OK Xavier, let us start from there and you will get increments soon depending on your performance.  The old office was consisting of two cabinets for the chief and his assistant, which was made to one room of modern furnishing and air conditioned.  Wh...

                  LONGING FOR THE RE UNION OF A FORGOTTEN FRIEND It was in the year 1976.  I was working in the construction site of National Fertilizers Ltd, Panipat.  Aban constructions was awarded with the underground piping work for the fertilizer plant in which I was working as the site accountant,  co ordinating work of around 100 technicians, engineers and administrative staff.  Rented quarters were provided to us. Some senior staff were grouped together depending on their aesthetics whereas labourers like welders and fabricators have grouped separately choosing their  houses very near to the workspot for convenience of attending at short notice.  The administrative staff ,engineers and supervisors are provided with transport by the company and therefore they selected locality near the town 15 to 20 km away from the site. We had our house near model town of Panipat a very decent lo...

                                                               LIGHT TIFFIN My life in construction site is full of adventures.  Making friendship with different personalities, take the good qualities and adapt them into my own life was my ambition.  One such person who made an impact in my life is M Ramakrishnan,  an Electrical engineer by qualification came into the construction field by chance. Aban constructions were doing piping work for Cochin Refineries Ltd, Ambalamugal Division and Ramakrishnan has taken charge as site head.  He was staying in Luciya International Hotel near the South railway station where I was asked to receive him before coming to  site office.  Evening after my duty time went to the Hotel.  Reception desk announced to the room 501 by intercom that there is a ...