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This is with reference to the article, entitled “Brave Men In Blue” by Rashna Ardesher in the Sept.-Oct. 2002 issue of CHANGE.

I gift you a photo of a Horse-Drawn Fire Engine. The sight of a beautiful pair of horses drawing a bright red fire engine, manned by men wearing a blue uniform with brass studs, enthralled the young painter William Cooper. In 1947, the artist transferred his memory on to canvas and presented the painting to the then Municipal Commissioner, who felt that the painting could be placed appropriately at a fire station, and presented it to the central fire station.

The last Horse-Drawn Fire Engine was commissioned in the year 1925. Well, this is the year I was born, and thank God else I would have had to ride “horses” to fight the fire!

Abdul Patel (MB-334) of Storwel Division found a purse containing Rs. 1,590 in the Change Room of Plant-13. He immediately deposited it with the Personnel Department on the same day. The purse belonged to a fellow employee, Shivaji Khandare. After proper inquiry, the purse was returned to Khandare.

In another incident, employee Arun Rane (MD-170) found a wrist-watch in the Wash Room and deposited it with the Personnel Department. The watch, which belonged to a Contract Workman of the same Plant, was handed over to him in front of his superior after inquiry.

It is noteworthy that even in difficult times, blue-collared employees are honest. They do not believe in momentary materialistic gains. The fear of God is instilled in them, which prevents them from doing a wrong. Such instances also show their feelings for their co-employees.

The lead article “Change for Renewal” is very articulate and focussed while discussing about “Management of Change in Godrej”. I fully agree with the view that our chalta hai, chalne do attitude and our belief in karma that all is ordained, and our lack of work culture have irretrievably damaged our present. It is this mindset which poses the greatest challenge for organisations going for change.

The coverage on Bank of Baroda’s effort on “Women’s Empowerment” is very illustrative and factual. The feedback of few staff members and entrepreneurs regarding their experience with Bank of Baroda adds credence to the coverage. Please accept our sincere thanks for acknowledging our Bank’s efforts towards “Women’s Empowerment”.

Wisely Said

“The primary difference between the West and us is that, there, people have a much better societal orientation. In the West — the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand —individuals understand that they have to be responsible towards their community. They care more for the society than we do. Further, they generally sacrifice more for the society than us. Quality of life is enhanced because of this … We have to extend our family values beyond the boundaries of our home. Let us work towards maximum welfare of the maximum people —‘Samasta janaanaam sukhino bhavantu’.”

Excerpts from a lecture delivered by N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman and Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies Limited at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in New Delhi in October 2002 and published by The Indian Express under the title “Sometimes West is Best, at least Better” on 5 October, 2002.