Some things have changed. Some things never will – not in this lifetime. I look at my face in the mirror of the guesthouse of my alma mater and try to discover the changes. I’ve just stepped out of the shower and am buttoning the black Polo shirt that has always been my favourite. The faded pair of Levis and black blazer complete the look. I shave and dab on some cologne. Like the scouts will tell you, ‘Be prepared’. Then I comb my hair and, looking at the strands of silver that have appeared of late around my sideburns, wonder idly if any girl would still find me attractive. After all, at age thirty five the girls on the MIJ campus will probably find me too old, unless I meet one of those who find older men sexy because they have grey sideburns.
The guesthouse is part of the new Executive Development Centre that the Management Institute of Jamshedpur is known for. It’s built like a five-star hotel, complete with a beautiful swimming pool and a poolside bar which has been featured in several issues of the Business Magnate.As I bend down to tie my shoelaces, I try and think of one good reason why Father Hathaway allowed it to be built at all, but I can’t think of any. There is one thing I do know: I hate these alumni meetings.‘You look just the same.’‘I’d never have recognized you. You’ve gone totally bald.’‘I’ve put on so much weight. The travel and eating out is killing me. So who did you marry?’Ten years ago when I left the Management Institute of Jamshedpur as a freshly minted MBA, I never imagined that I would come back under these circumstances. I prayed during the train journey to Jamshedpur that I would not bump into a known face. God was kind. The AC chair car of Ispat Express was clearly not a popular choice with the alumni.The knock on the door is discreet. I open the door and find a young lady smiling at me. She is wearing a formal skirt and jacket. Her shoulder-length hair has been shampooed and brushed till every strand is neatly in place.‘Hi, I am Cauvita.’ She offers me a business card.‘Hi. I’m Abbey.’ I look at the card. ‘President of the Students’ Association? Cool.’‘That’s me. And here’s your welcome gift.’I open the gift-wrapped photo frame and look at the collage of familiar faces. It brings back memories thathad begun to fade.‘That’s Rusty. I hope he manages to come from Dubai. That’s Gur standing next to Neetika. They are married. Gur is bursting at the seams now. You wouldn’t recognize him. That’s Pappu… my roommate in the first year. We were in Room 208, which overlooks Daadu’s Dhaba. Pappu is the craziest roomie anybody could have. He sleeps more than any other human being on the planet. Still does.’‘There were eight girls in your batch. How many of them got married to their batchmates?’I sidestep the question and say, ‘Can we go and sit on the steps of the auditorium?’‘Sure,’ she says. ‘I don’t mind.’I lock the door behind me and we set off.‘Is it still considered cool, going for a walk to the banks of the Subarnarekha?’‘Oh, I love watching the sunset from there. And look, it’s a full moon night.’ She points to the Dalma mountain range in the distance.I can’t stop the memories from taking over. ‘How is Daadu? Does he still play the flute? We used to get drunk at his dhaba. And his wife made such delicious jalebis.’‘Niranjan runs the dhaba now; Daadu and Didima just supervise. During exam time, we can get cigarettes, coffee and sandwiches delivered to the hostel.’I sit down on the steps of the auditorium and Cauvita settles down next to me. She’s an attractive youngwoman. I light a cigarette and blow a smoke ring, which allows me to look at her without her knowledge.‘Are you from Jampot?’‘I worked for three years after engineering and then I decided to take up HR. I wanted to dispel the myth that engineers can’t do touchy-feely stuff.’‘If you are looking for someone who is good at that, your search stops here!’ I smile at Cauvita, and she looks at me and giggles.‘Are you looking forward to meeting your old classmates?’‘Yes and no. Largely no, at this moment. It’s so predictable, you know. After the first five minutes ofbonhomie everyone gets down to competing with each other all over again. That’s what I hate.’‘But you had such cool dudes in your batch. Alpana Rao was here last month to screen her latest film, Dark Knights. It won her an award in France. I believe she is making her next movie with Shahrukh Khan.’‘Yeah, not everyone ended up in the corporate world like me. Arunesh Nanda – you know, the rock guitarist – is also from the batch of ’84,’ I say with unmistakable pride.‘That’s meant to be the surprise of this evening. He is performing the songs from his latest album, Mood Swings. My friend from Bombay says she often sees him in Bandra. I believe he lives somewhere there. What was he like when he was here?’‘He was always an amazing guitarist. His long hair made him look like a rock star even then. I rememberwhen he played Dylan, especially “Blowing in the Wind” – anyone would have said he gave Bob a run for his money. That’s according to Haathi. I believe he’s heard Dylan live, so he knows. Arre, you should hear him do Kishore Kumar. He is just amazing. I saw his photo in Stardust the other day. The fucker now wears an earring and that, too, in one ear.’‘So which company did you join after leaving MIJ?’‘Balwanpur Industries. I just wanted to be in Delhi, and those buggers were the only ones to offer me a job in a place that was close. After that I think I got lazy and never changed jobs. I loved being in the factory. And life in that township is amazing.’‘The idea of living in a township is so romantic. I would love it.’‘Come over and spend a weekend with me.’‘Are you serious? I might take you up on it.’‘Promise.’ I held out my hand and Cauvita put her rather cold hand in mine.‘Maybe I should use this alumni meeting to ask if any of them wants to hire someone like me. I am available to be employed by the highest bidder.’The moon is playing hide and seek in the clouds. I can hear someone checking the PA system.‘1,2,3, mike testing hello… hello… mike testing…’‘Who the hell is this Mike who goes around testing sound systems?’ I joke.‘Is it true that the first ten years of work are the most eventful in anyone’s life?’ Cauvita’s question takes me by surprise. Mine certainly were. When I joined MIJ in 1982, I thought that Delhi University had prepared me for everything I needed to know. When I joined Balwanpur Industries on 1 June 1984, I thought MIJ had taught me all the skiils required to navigate corporate India and life in general. I was bloody wrong.——————————You can have MARRIED BUT AVAILABLE delivered by mail by ordering it from the Harper Collins site. You can get a signed copy if you order by 30 September 2008.Download the cover of Married But Available
67 Comments
Completing 10 years of passing of from MIJ in 10 months…Silver Side Burns, Cologne and the wonder why they made the 5 star GH at MIJ!Can’t wait till the 20th to get the rest of the dope!Kudos Abhijit!
Pre ordered the book from Harper Collins site. The first chapter looks promising. I want my signed copy.No compromise in that!Have a great launch!Yo!
You said it and you wrote it. World War II parents, Vietnam, pre-feminism, pre-self help, flower power and faded blue jeans with hormones raging and is it any wonder anyone of us could have survived this time. Your story rings true for many now in their 40’s or 50’s and the tenor of which you speak is pure. We were all coming of age and reinventing our rights to passage. Bravo Abhijit.
Got the book from media launch event at Delhi. The book is a great read, takes us back into introspection mode on work-life-social balance. Finished the book in one go.. I believe each one of us can relate to Abbey, the way his life is scheduled and moving.Indeed a great read.. awaiting for more to come..Kudos!!
Pre ordered the book from Harper Collins site. The first chapter looks promising
It seriously dispels the myth about the engineering guys..Waiting to get hold of the book now..Seems intriguing and promising ..All the best.Cheers!!
Finished the book in a day, did not really feel like putting it down.Outstanding read if you want to pick up some wonderful insights on HR from one of the leading HR thinkers in the country. The story is one that a lot of people will identify with – the insecurities, competitiveness with batch mates, failed/failing marriages, demanding bosses, neglected families etc. It is a story about the ‘corporate types’ from corporate India and wrapped within these threads are Abhijit’s take on HR. He works through positions in the factory, to the Chairman’s strategy unit and an M&A situation where he has to handle a large restructuring.Read it, if you like HR or if you need to understand it OR if you just like a good yarn about somebody who could be you.
The first chapter seems to be really interesting , and would definetly look forward to have this book at the earliest , Firstly It would remind me off my engineering and mba days and secondly will also help in predicting my days after marriage . Would be a good combination of both .
Reminds me of a book I read sometime back …. Kind of takes you back to your colleges days where life was not this complicated !! Humans and nostagia I guess go hand in hand..
congrats……….Abbey for ur gr8 work.May God continues his blessing upon you……so that u can continuely produce the gr8 writtings for us.
Each and every word describes the incredible thinking you have undergone and the choice of words.Its like a moving story when i was reading word to word.Enjoyed reading and pls send me the process of reading further as i too love to read as well as write.Will share with you the poems i have written.God bless u sir!!!Tanu Krishnan
The first chap gives a very brief sketch abt the main character… hope the succeeding chapters have more depth. cudos on the good work!
The first chapter seemed very exciting and appealing.Would definitely look forward to read this book at the earliest.Have a great launch!Cheers for your success!!Best WishesJayasree…
Good Work Abhijit. Will definitely love to read the entire book.Miles to go !!!Best Wishes,Nikhil
Liked it! Seems as unputdownable as the first one! I’m going and picking up a copy today!cheers!
Interesting and it actually increases the inquisitiveness to read the entire book.All the very best.Warm RegardsBanasree
Hi AbbeyFirst of all wish you a very happy and prosperus Deepawli.Yesterday I was coming from Mumbai and I was carrying Married But Available.Must say Great Work.I started it as I sat in the flight and kept reading till I reach home.It was so good that I finished it in one shot.I really like the points like Business Card,Arai & Negi, Matt and balwan Singh and especially Captain Sobti. I really admire and also surprised how beautifully you have orchestrated the complete thing. I must agree to the first 10 years statement.Probably I am going to the same thing.If you remember when we had a telecon while I was posted in Aligarh I told you that I was thrown out of HR when I was in ISBM and asked to join Marketing and in the suggestions of Rusty I ve got my answer. Probably I wont regret anymore.I was coming to the launch in saket but due to an accident I could’nt make it. My apologies.Wish you all the very best and hope to see some more M B As .With RegardsKamal DharLGEIL9811354595
Artful portrayal of the protagonist from the male perspective.Ambitious, yet insecure – definitely builds curiousity about the further evolution of the character and plot. Easy readability too.. nice, very nice.
AbhijitGreat work!, You’ve set yourself up for a great “next life” after working for global corporations.Wish you great success.RegardsBrian
hi abhijitNo doubt you need to reap the exhausting work of MBA2 with great cheer and celebration. The characters were so relevant ,down-to-earth and relatable.Abbey is ambitious and articulate; Captain Sobti is atrue professional; father Haathi is one adorable man; Ramadorai calculating yet humane; Balwant Singhcoldly zealous and enterprising. Abbey’s parents were the typical concerned bengali parents for whom nothing in the world matters, but their children.The female ones were too distant though with the exception of Ass and Keya. Keya has many traits that I instantly related to myself.I granted Abbey a 10/10 when he pulled himself , with great mettle andtenacity away from sophie given the fact he is such a starved man! Matt is the typical manipulative boss who definitely knows what to get from whom and how. but I feel for all the right reasons because he was such a gem thatFather Hathaway should’nt have beeb terminated so heartlessly and so early.Hats off to youDevalina
To begin with ,i am not at all a novel reader rather i hate reading novels but to my surprise i couldn’t even take off my eyes once i was reading the first chapter of your novel.it took me back to my college days with all that fun and masti.In this busy world I am sure your novel is an awesome coffe break where one can relax after reading every chapter and then can go back to the usual work with the same kind of energy.I am sure you are still young at heart with the kind of sense of humour you have.It is my pleasure to be a part of your group.Cheers !!!
Hey the first chapter sounds interesting.It reminds me of my college days.All the best for your release.RegardsPoonam
Hey, this is amazingly interesting read. I really like & am impressed the way you write – it makes it a very light yet a thought-provoking/ stimulating read. Waiting to grab a copy so that I could enjoy it to the fullest.You really have a very unique style of presentation, that helps the reader to maintain an undivided attention to this interesting read.I am impressed & wish you all the best for your future endeavours…:)Good work done, gr8 to come…Cheers!Looking forward to meeting you soon.Karunjit Kumar Dhir
Abhijit,Begining is great !!. Thats what most of the eople go through and feel immediately connected. I liked last portion too.vikas
The first chapter seemed very exciting and appealing.Would definitely look forward to read your all books and blogs at the earliest.Really after a long time I have got something which will enrich my skills and innerself to do something new.I would like to visit your sites and blogs to get some update, readers thoughts & HR blogs to learn about HR perceptions. Also I am going share your all URLs to my circle so that I can also take the advantage of your writings.Have a great launch!Awaiting for your new UpdatesDeepak GuptaE-Mail: go4deepakgupta@gmail.comGSM: 09910617456
AbhijeetYou write well and bring nostalgic memories of Jamshedpur.Keep writing.
It took me back to my college days as well like many others here….more so because I left my last institute, IIM Bangalore just a year back. Honestly, since then, I am looking for a re-union of batch-mates….Chapter 1, re-ignites that feeling….equally disappointing as only this much is available to read…..I will not get the signed copy though (unfortunate)….will definitely have a copy to read the rest…….Kudos to Abhijit. Please let me have some insider info if anything more from you is forthcoming.Abhijit
Great Work. It reminds me of my college days. Will definitely love to read the entire book. All the best.cheers..Iti Jain
Very interesting and contemporary Indian literature. Having been away from India for 20 or so years, it is refreshing (and reassuring !) to get a peek into how the youth have evolved, and what the current thinking is. I would like to read further and absorb the characterization.Best,-Ravi
Gr8 snippet Abhijit…was quite engaging…it made me think of how time runs ahead of us and the introspection on work life. The best part is that it is real and not an abstract writeup…hope as an amateur writer i can even write 10% of this. Kudos to you and best of luck.Be free- vikram
Not as good as my stuff
looks promising Abhijit – I read your first novel. I will get my hands on this one asap.Cheers,Joydeep
loved the book to the core….. have recommended the book to a friend joining XLRI… should be made into a movie…. finally waiting for Middleaged but AdultRegardsALLEN
I always envy Abbey…. He has born to be champ….Congratulations Abhijit for another master piece …Your simple, engrossing presentation does not allow anyone to move out….. on the contrary it leaves the reader thirsty….wanting more… would eagerly wait for MBA (3).Cheers,Monotosh
Respected Sir,The book is awsumly written. i would love to have a copy of it asap. Sir, i believe it would be more ecxiting if the situation turns up every now and then…….Sir, i can exactly measure it with our dialy life’s. Great work sir ,,,,,, hope the series continues as far as possible……. Take care…….Awaiting more to come ……..Regards,Abhishek Tandon
Hey AbhijitGreat Work on the 1st Chapter,really looking foward to read the entire book as early as possible.RegardsRahul kapoor
It was a great and a very good article.I totally loved reading it.
HiI read the first chapter and it’s well written but on the predictable lines of a professional going back to his alma mater. I would love to see how the story develops esp how abbey looks back at his 10 years, which without argument are the most imp years in one’s lifelook forward to read the book
Hi Abbey,Just complete the “Married But Avialable” Its wonderful to read. I must say it throws deep insight not only on HR front but also on professional & personal life.RgdsJotbir S. Bhalla
the first chapter does look very promising and just waiting to lay my hands on it and read it…hope the whole book is as interesting as the first chapter..
Good Work Abhijit. Will definitely love to read the entire book.Best Wishes,NikhilRam Pathak
The first chapter brings forth a mixture of feelings – nostalgia, curiosity are just some of them. The simple language makes it an easy read….looking forward to get my hands on the book. Keep writing…keep our memories alive!All the best!Regards,Jayati
Lucid , looks would be fun turning pages over a chilled pint :)Would love top read on..motivation would treble with a signed copy i suppose..any Luck.All the Best Abhijit.Abhijit
I am just 26 years old , 2 years past the MBA experience.Perhaps I might not be in a position to catch the feelings, that people who are 10 or 15 years past that very feeling.3 years back I had the opportunity to read a book named ‘ The Bleachers’. The book is about the reunion of a school football team after 15 years since they left playing.The protagonist appears to be confused.He is nostalgic and possibly yearns to relive those moments, yet he has some insecurities. The lead character is ,as it seems not a true hero , has some weaknesses, which would make the book worth reading. The proatagonist thinks a lot and keeps a lot of things to himself.I think he had a relationship with a girl in college, which never materialized and thus was heartbroken for a while, could be judged by the way he skips the question about 8 of his female classmates.If the first chapter is to be considered as an indicator of things to come, I think this book should be worth a read.The initial lines have a touch of Ayn Rand’s description of her hero in Fountainhead.I would love to read the entire book. It would be a great read .All the best
Where can I get the full version of the sameRegdsJ
The first chapter does look really promising and brings forth feelings of nostalgia …….. more so because I just had my convocation at XLRI…. Surprisingly, it is just been few days but I am already looking forward to re-union of batch-mates…. Waiting eagerly to lay my hands on the book and read it…All the best!!Best RegardsRidhima Malhotra
Hi AbhijitIts now 4 years that i passed out, went back just once in 2006 and things had changed in XL, just the 1st chapter brought back those memories and I feel like going back. But till I go back guess this book will help me relive those days again like Mediocre But Arrogant did.All the bestRegardsNeel
Hi Abhijit – I thought this book was better than your first one…parts of the book just transports one back to XL!!I will wait for the next one..
Cauvita with that sort of spell,certainly makes for a romantic twist in your narration, though from a 90’s generation, i clearly relate to the element of choices in front of us and the ones we make, particularly, having gone through what every Indian attempts in having a alphabet soup of degrees to ‘further’ ones’ qualifications in landing a prestigious job offer!
Wow… the first chapter indeed seems to be very much appealing … i wonder what’s hidden behind other pages… One thing which I loved here is the quality of words used to express the situation, emotions etc.All the best,Surabhi