I have decided to meet Mr T Srinivasan along with Vijay. Vijay, a childhood friend of mine and owner of small scale industry, has a unit in MIDC. T Srinivasan, fondly known as TS, is a Chairman of ₹1200 CR TS group. Vijay knows TS for last 3 years. TS has found Vijay as quite innovative entrepreneur, the reason Vijay is partner in one project started by TS.
Vijay and me meet quite regularly and our discussions revolve around many subjects under the sun. He has been talking of TS with high regards. He often mentioned humbleness of TS and that he commutes in Indica, though his son uses BMW, his quick decision making and so on. He told me that TS traveled in seventies all the way from Karnataka to Pune with not much education and no penny in pocket and worked even as labor. He created world out of zero and reached staggering turnover of ₹1200 CR today. Vijay often used to say that I should meet TS once. I used to ignore saying that he is such big man and may not have any interest in meeting me. Vijay simply said "it is for your interest Rajesh. Let's go"
It was Tuesday, 5 pm. Myself and Vijay entered TS posh office. Vijay told me unusual ritual that every person who meets TS touches his feet as gratitude. I know TS age is nearing 70, though was surprised with this custom of touching his feet. I showed my concern to Vijay. So he said, "I never bothered to ask the reason. If you feel awkward in doing so, just forget it" Neither I agreed nor disagreed. Though I felt little odd.
TS office was beautiful. I mean there was not too much of fancy about it, but it carried grace. It was neat and tidy, color scheme was superb, a light music at the background. An atmosphere was serene. Everyone was working at its desk. There was no chaos which we usually find in offices. I must say, the office was different than others.
Vijay was regular visitor there. He said that we will be called in next 5 minutes. I was sitting on luxurious sofa and watching the office carefully. We were called in TS cabin in next 5 minutes.
TS came out if his cabin. Vijay completed ritual of touching his feet. I pretended to touch his feet and went to his cabin. I started observing TS. He must be 5 1/4 feet tall, not very fair, half bald, wearing ultra white shirt. He was normal person sitting in nicely articulated cabin. To be honest, he was not seen like running an empire of ₹1200 CR from any angle. "How are you?" he asked. His tone was typical south Indian. As soon as we started talking, an office boy knocked the door and said "Sir, I am pushing off to my town". TS said to him "Ravi, wait for 5 minutes".
The moment Ravi went out, TS said "Ravi is with me since last 12 years. His wife is pregnant and has gone to her village for getting baby. delivered. Today he is going to meet her. His parents are old. I know, he will not take anything for them and save money. So I sent person to market to get some sweets, farsan and some cloths for his parents."
Now, I was moved by TS gesture and modesty. A man who is running such a huge business was thinking so deeply about office boy and moreover his family.
In few minutes, a person came with all the stuff which TS asked to bring for Ravi and his family. TS said to Ravi "take this and hand it over to your wife and parents. And do not forget to convey my regards to your parents." He also gave some currency notes amounting to 3 or 4 thousand rupees. Ravi said, "Sir, I already drew some adavnce. I can't take this." TS said "you can settle that with office accounts. This is gift from me." Ravi was in tears and he touched his feet and quickly left cabin.
We again started talking with each other. I was answering TS questions, though I was thinking about Ravi episode which I witnessed minutes before. Somehow, my mind could not get rid of humanity and humbleness showered by TS. I could see the glimpses of one of the great qualities TS possesses.
After a while, there was time to say good bye. He said "do come again. And let me know if you have business proposal. We will work together." I nodded and touched his feet before leaving his cabin. Honestly, this time, it was quite natural reflex as my brain received a signal to touch TS feet without Vijay mentioning it.
