Whenever I would think about 2021, only three things would vividly come out to memory- my marriage, Moina's marriage and the prolonged frustration at NSDC which finally led my exit. I can't remember much good/happier things in 2021 except the two marriages. Let me start with the three main highlights:
1) My marriage - The year started with the big bang marriage. Whenever I look at all the decisions such as selection of bride, the amount of efforts for 'doing extra', the help by family and friends, I really feel great, honored and indebted. The bullock cart, the bamboo decoration - I don't know from where I got so much energy. Everything, yes every little thing (including Covid's effect) went smoothly. I can't thank God enough for blessing me on this. I believe I will cherish this memory until my death with the same emotion I wrote above.
Then the new life started with Nina (Nijara Nath). There has been no major conflict with her in last one year (except time management related and one of immaturity for which she regretted). However our efforts didn't yield much result as both of us don't belong to the 'lucky' genre. Her applications for the creative economy fellowship and the way we both made to sound stupid by the British Council was appalling. In my long MBA/MPP application process such incident never happened. On 23 Sept, when we finally decided to put the escalation emails on hold, we went to BBQ to share our grief. Then the professor in German Chancellor fellowship gave us some hope; we did many things including shooting yoga vs Sattriya comparison video, meeting several people, buying e-book online. Unfortunately, this did not lead to success. Her engagement with Media SSC brought new confidence into our lives. She getting the opportunity of solo performance at Nrittyaparva was the biggest good news on her career front. However, it required 1.5 month preparation phase that started just the day after we celebrated Diwali by decorating the whole house, first for me. My sudden trip to watch Nina’s performance was the great thing I did last year. That trip would be memorable. I would fondly remember the people we hosted and visited for dinner (Eg- CR, Mamu, Somnath, Dibyo Da etc), watching the Amazon Prime series (Family Man, Tandav, Pataalok etc), our continuous fight against the mosquitos and ants of Dwarka, never ending (and somewhat failed) attempts to attract students at Dwarka for Sattriya, and finally the investment we made in Assam Healthcare Collaborative (franchise of Thyrocare) in Nina's name. Yes, not to forget, my first stay at Nichinta gaon.
2) Moina's marriage: At times, I thought both my and Moina's marriages could happen on the same day. When I was doing Sualkuchi shopping last year, things were purchased for both of us; the furniture were ordered that time itself (which unfortunately had bitter stories that is continuing still). After my marriage, things went to silence. Except Maa mentioning this a few times, there was no discussion or signal of her marriage.
I considered this as one big liability item for all of us. On Sept 12, I wrote praying for Moina’s engagement as some phone calls had started happening. The first step was for the groom's side to invite the bride's family. On 15 Sept, we got the invite to visit their home and on 22 Sept the marriage date is decided to be 13 Dec. That was fantastic. On Moina's insistence, the engagement happened on 15 Oct, again on the Dasami day. I and Nina reached the day before. Post engagement, the preparation of food, tent, all mainly steered by Dada and Maa; I was on phone on some occasions. The outdoor decoration brought some tension as everyone would expect this to be different, particularly after my experiment with bamboo. My contact through Pranay Da, Shri Dalim Kalita did full justice to the same. The jewelry shopping was done with me and I gifted Tapan's gold chain. I bought new suit, the second one in my life. My first visit to Tapan's house and the tears in Moina's eye pained me a lot. She is my little sister and I am committed for her wellbeing throughout my life. Sending off Moina through marriage is a big event of my life. During 'bidai', I cried, and cried, and cried, uncontrollably. She was the most important woman in my life after Maa before Nina came in, and she would continue to be. By the way, the marriage just sneaked its way between Covid's second and third wave.
3) Toxicity at NSDC with MSP's irrationality: As I start writing this section, I am trying to think which was worse- the toxicity of the company or the irrationality of manager. I have started writing about the manager from February itself, just after I rejoined office post covid cum marriage break. The weekend SMG reports, exclusion of my name from all NE visits(this year Sikkim), keeping me out of big meetings and decisions, the inability of MSP to say NO to work irked me (also everyone else). Then starts the launch of Customized Covid Crash Course (C4W) amidst the Covid second wave.
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| The last day click at smoking zone |
The workload doubled for everyone. From June onwards the office situation deteriorated, frustration went to peak. I kept complaining about the job and manager almost all pages of diary. Although there was one good news in terms of payment of variable pay of last year, the other resources at office were totally demoralized due to the huge (and unsatisfactory, random) workload without any hike for last two years. Then comes the pathetic/insulting hike (2-5%) and out of turn promotions to make things worst. The promotion of MSP and the poor rating for the team did not go hand in hand. I was surprised to find my 'meets expectation' rating, while I was almost certain of Star or High performance based on discussion with MSP. All of us wished the status quo were better than this pathetic hike. The adhoc nature of work increased with Vandana ma'am directly giving work and stupid asks by MSDE post the most awaited re-organization of NSDC. I still think whether I would be better off in another team (like Jainkant, with Aakarshan??). Then started the big resignation drives and the normal office conversation turned into completely negative. There was no iota of positivity in any teams, people were upset with leadership of COO. In my team, I was somehow trying to uphold the positive energy of the team. However, MSP’s insensitivity of not giving leave on Moina’s engagement and the feeling of ‘jealousy’ he felt while giving me leaves for 2 weeks for Moina's marriage upset me and reminded me how soldiers are treated by Army officers while seeking leaves for which they are entitled. Additionally, the new promotion rule that states a person has to be minimum High rater for last two consecutive years shut down possibility of any growth at NSDC. There were many days I lost my cool at office; the colleagues gave that feedback to me later. After many unsuccessful attempts, how EdCast happened, I have already written in a separate post. I was the happiest person to resign from NSDC on 3 Dec, just one day before I land in Guwahati for Moina's marriage.
In the first part of the post I wrote about the three main events that dominated last year from a future Manjit's perspective. Before writing the other sections that I always write in year review blog, I want to make a mention of two events.
A) Failed Attempt – As I already stated above, there are multiple failures in 2021 that broke my morale and confidence several times. I just want to mention a few:
1) Buying a roadside land was something that I tried the whole year without success. I think serious effort started when I and Arup went to Prithiraj’s home during the Bihu cum 2nd lockdown visit. In case of the agri land near Makri train station, I went with Nayan Da, hold subsequent discussion with Ullas bhaiya for the prospect of the station etc. The most interesting/closest one was with Aktar, the land near the NRL petrol pump. The discussion took place in Sept, continued till October when I visited myself, contacted advocate Nayandeep Da for the agreement. I even readied all my net Fidelity money of Microsoft Shares to fund the deal. Finally I put a full-stop on 17 Oct, when I kept waiting at the spot and the guy did not turn up even on that day and stopped receiving our calls. In summary, I could not purchase the land, but generated wealth of knowledge on Dharitri, NHIDCL land procurement and acquisition policy, how RSS is preventing Muslims from buying land etc.
2) My attempt to work with the CM-Assam again reignited with HBS becoming the CM after the high voltage drama between him and Sarba post the Assembly election result. In fact, I came under pressure from multiple sides to go to HBS, talk and do something. I discussed this with many people as last attempt yielded pathetic result. After making the initial attempts via email (first on 14 May), I got the chance to meet him in person while visiting Smt Birubala Rabha. In the subsequent steps Bhiaitda, Sameeran, Rahul Bhini, Moina, Dada helped a lot, but no result. I am specially thankful to Sameeran for his continuous push. What I heard, HBS does not want people of my tribe under any circumstances.
3) Nina’s applications and the failure associated with that attempt were very frustrating.
4) The multiple failures in job applications prompted me writing 2-3 blogs last year. Failure of UNICEF and the Tata Trust after interview, the attempt with PWC conversation, the Vedanta thing-- nothing worked. The most awkward was trying to go back to NeGD- OMG! They made me realize I get so much high salary, why 15 years of work-ex is the most desirable thing to have etc. I struggled with my conscious for taking the decision of choosing the worse between worst options.
B) The second wave of Covid- I thank God that I and Nina were not in Delhi during the horror of 2nd wave of Covid-19. While I was at home with comfortable safety net, trying to maximize my time, people were dying all over. I realized the importance of feeling safe, importance of the support ecosystem. The deteriorating condition of Shobhit and the unfortunate demise was an eye opener. Mukuta Ba’s lost and consequences of the event are unimaginable. I remember the craziness for getting the vaccine, the repeated attempt for booking slot, the help from Nabajyoti, the shout for helps in social media and whatsapp group, the line of dead bodies. I just hope things don't turn into that level ever.
Regular/new sections:
1) New/unique
things done – doing
facial, getting married, convincing all Xomidhan members to contribute 500/-
each, stitching pant with tailor at Mahipalpur, getting involved in the
election effort of Jahid Da and Bhaiti Da, doing paragliding and zipline, gifting TV to Nichinta, participating in the ILO MOOC, the Jal Jivan Mission investment, changing profile photo on Facebook, unending rain of Delhi was surprising (Airport T3
got flooded), the efforts went into NE Civil Service Academy.
2) People:
a. Of much significance – Nischal, the
trio (Tarulata, Namita, Bobita), Vedika of E&Y, Mozammil video editor, Kalpana
house maid, Aakarshan
b. Left us- Bou’s father, Rajashri
bhindeu, Shobhit, Homen Borgohain Sir (12 May)
c. New: Bhabananda Borbayan, Dibakar’s
wife, Pompi, Dibyo ata, Gudiya, Pritam, Kapoor
electrician, Malti Devi, Hiranya, Dhiraj Rhodes Rabha, Swapna
d. Renewed – Gaurav Jain, Dibakar,
Anubha, Prakhar, Dibyo Da, Ullas Da, Arjun Khanna, Amit Jain, Jyoti Deka,
Bibhuti Ranjan Bhattacharjya
3) Important
Dates – 17- 20 Jan (biya),
28 Jan (first dinner at in-Laws), 1 Feb (end of Lockdown stay, first
separation from wife), 13 Feb (finalized Dwarka flat for rent), 16 Feb (Nina’s
welcome and Dipak’s scooty), 27 Feb (shifting day), 13 March (health check-up), 26- 29 March (Honeymoon trip), 11 May (first
vaccine), 22 May(visit to Hahdoba, Holdonga river with Nina), 29 May(with
Dibakar at Urpad Beel), 12 June(Baguan visit and Jairam Da’s prophecy), 18 June ( the Big C4W launch), 19 June (second dose), 11 July(back to Dwarka), 21 Aug (hosted Sumo and gang), 25 Aug (the NSDC townhall), 27Aug
(appraisal result), 29 Aug (all hard disk data recovered), 5 Sept(Car discussion
with Kailash), 7 Sep (NSDC Org Restructuring email), 9 Sep (long negotiation for Aktar’s land), 15 Sept (Nina’s offer letter & Tapan family’s invite), 29
Sep (Taj mahal), 12 Oct (Secretary’s bashing to me and Aakarshan), 29
Oct (watching 'no time to die' in empty hall), 31 Oct (Arjun referring to EdCast,
CM Patowari calling), 22 Nov (removal of Jaikant, Kousik), 2 Dec (offer letter), Moina's marriage days.With Nina at Tukreswari mandir
4) Visits- Mainly two - 1) the first honeymoon trip to Manali, 2) visit of Maa and Deuta (25 sept – 3 Oct) and our visit to Tajmahal, Vrindaban etc. In small visits from Delhi - visiting a poetry session at Dwarka, Hathras visit on 25 Nov, my last monitoring visit from NSDC. However, there were 4 home visits last year which included nearby visits such as Bongai, Manikpur, Duck mangsho treat at Kamal’s place and so on.
5) Ahha moment – data retrieval of hard disk, the first night with wife, getting expected designation and salary at EdCast, solving the llyod bank internet banking phone number issue.
6) Writing and reading – Article for Mukuta ba's father, Xomidhan’s book article, read জীৱনৰ পৰা কি শিকিলো, ইচ্ছা-অনিচ্ছা সত্ত্বেও কিছু কথা
7) Health- Largely went fine except during the visit of Maa -deuta which impacted our travel plans. During Moina's marriage I got RCT done in one tooth by Hiranya. The BP was under control with medicine on most parts of the year. Nina had multiple health issues, although minor.
Today is 23 Jan. As I am wrapping up the year review for 2021, I have a strong feeling 2022 is not going to have a smooth ride either. Sincere prayer to God for আশীৰ্বাদ.
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