Looking back at 60, life definitely has traversed through thick and thin, cheer and chill, phases of hopelessness, melancholy and optimism. From being a minuscule to significant, ignored to being wanted, worthless to worthwhile. Life of compromise to being fully in-charge of it. Being commanded to being in command. I think life hasn't spared anything to test me out. At the same time it didn't hesitate rewarding me wholeheartedly for standing tall before all its trials and tribulations. Think of a situation, someone born last after 6 siblings and deprived of paternal love at the age of 2. Think again of a situation of a helpless ailing widow compassionate however as the mothers are, departing for the heavenly abode, leaving the 20 year old boy to the mercy of Almighty. Challenges for the boy, both financial and social. Desperate for a dignified life at the most crucial juncture of building career and the social standing. The fate could have taken you either way. The ambitions and anger were growing together.

At the peak of despair and your resolve not to give up, you find the saviour around. One who turned out to be the source of your resolve through his support, encouragement and appreciation. Just over 3 years above your age a brother showing mountain of trust in your abilities, capabilities and capacities, showering his unconditional love and shielding you like anything, you find a reason to take life head-on. The anger started melting in ambition and urge to prove yourself growing phenomenal.

It was only a matter of time now before I could make that mark. With the modest beginning in my career, a constraint to address financial challenges of the family which though were in fact the liquidity issues snowballing into mountain of trouble because of the lack of life experience at our hand, I kept on trying for what I always felt I belong to. 

As we all know, it is the experience that we gain while facing the realities of life that we understand the scheme of things. It took me 8 more years to find that greater calling. It was around, same way as with the family matters, when I saw my dreams shattered after losing both of my parents, I found my elder brother just around becoming my support and source of inpiration. 

I was now fully geared up to make the job at my hand the career I was looking for. It was now a different approach altogether, I made ambitious calculations and given the service left, I planned to rise to the level of General Manager in SBI from that basic level position of a front line entrant. it needed a greater overhaul of life, cutting on fantasies, giving up the time wasting hobbies and resolve to embracing hardships and most of all the displacement,  staying away from family at a time when both of my kids were already born. So did I venture on the journey. From here onwards, It was no looking back. I chased the career as planned, I kept on giving the surprises to the family. to my elder brother - a brother by relation, not less than a father and sometimes the mother. it became my inspiration to see the happiness and jubilation on his face with each of my accomplishments. Soon my kids started understanding the pleasure of accomplishing. Now I had multiple reasons to chase my dream and create that family level jubilations. At a junction when I needed someone in the professional line to showcase my performance and accomplishments, my boss who later became my mentor and inspiration stepped in. His support and mentorship made a huge impact on my life and my kids. He is none other than Mr. Ashwani Bhatia who later became Managing Director of SBI. 

Something different emerged from this pursuit. The immense joy you get when your efforts succeed. New places, new people, new relations, cultural integrations, the widening of horizons, the understanding of life and most of all, your own self confidence. I see it as a transformation. I no longer remained the same person I was when left my home in the year 2000 at a time when the situation in the valley of Kashmir was still grim. Imagine spending 20 Years out of the last 25 with the people of different places, languages and cultures and its impact. From handling the primitive front line tasks to being at the helm, managing branches, leading Regions, international banking operations to the level of spearheading the digital transformation of a massive financial super market like SBI. The 5 year stint as Chief Representative of SBI in Central Asia was a game changer both for my personal growth and for my family. Interacting with the Ambassadors, diplomats handling cross border trade affairs and banking executives of the major banks of Central Asian countries not only gave me the deeper understanding about banking but skill to handle the people of diverse backgrounds. The icing on the cake was a 3 year stint in the training system of the bank, when I got the opportunity to share my experience and skill with the large workforce of the bank. The experience further refined my professional skills, broadened my knowledge, strengthened my communication, and deepened my understanding of human behaviour and interpersonal relationships.

I took a conscious decision of taking early retirement from bank from the position of Deputy General Manager to contribute at a larger scale and be a support and source of encouragement for masses like me. I believe in a country like ours, with proper guidance, support and encouragement, miracles are possible. 

The responsibility to coach you is based on my commitment to privileges enjoyed in my own life. Its a kind of payback to the society which contributed in offering me everything I aspired for.

“My journey has taught me that success becomes more meaningful when the experience we gain helps others discover their own path to success.”