The importance of timely and fair rewards

I was returning home in a BMTC (Bangalore city transport) bus (image above) post my 10Km. walk on a Sunday morning. As I happily settled down in a comfortable seat next to a window, after a tiring long walk, I saw an off-duty staff standing next to the driver and chatting with him - something commonplace. Just as I was about to close my eyes for a short much-deserved nap, I overheard the two discuss the awards recently announced for long-service drivers with safe-driving records.

The bus driver mentioned that drivers much younger than he had been rewarded with silver and gold awards, whereas he had been overlooked. Worse, his inquiry with the concerned had got a very casual and dry response - "you have barely 2-3 years of service, just continue to serve well until your retirement". He felt his grievance was not heard well, and alleged that many with tainted service records (with accidents) had also been rewarded thanks to their close contacts with the higher-ups. The staff advised him to speak to his depot in-charge saying it was the depot managers who sent recommendations for the awards and their words meant a lot.

The incident got me thinking of the importance of timely and fair rewards at the workplace. It would be a lie to say all employers have prompt and fair reward practices in place. Yet, even as company rules and policies need to be practised the following could be followed -
1. It would be a great gesture if the names of awardees were shared openly so that undue expectations don't rise in the first place.
2. There should be enough channels for those who feel left out to clear any misconceptions they have, to prevent any disappointments or misunderstanding from taking root in the mind, which can severely affect the mental state of the affected and in turn, the productivity at work.
3. As for the concept of rewards itself, there could be several categories to cater to performance in different ways. Gold and silver awards apart, cash prizes, bonus, paid leave, public recognition and so on could be considered to keep as many as possible happy that their contribution is valued. Everyone likes to be appreciated, more when they deserve it. The employer's budget constraint is not reason enough to deprive the deserving from being rewarded for any reason.
4. The type of industry, I feel, has certainly to be taken note of, to implement a fruitful rewarding practice. In this case, drivers serve in stressful conditions like exhausting traffic snarls, catering to a demanding public, putting in long hours of work, suffering inadequate leave at times, and deteriorating health. Timely rewards make for a feel good factor in the work life of the drivers and conductors in the buses. That in turn, would make them serve happily, resulting in fewer - if not zero - accidents, and that's what we all look for as customers. So that's a win-win for all.

- published on LinkedIn on 28Jan2024 

Travel to Aamchi Mumbai – My Most Rewarding Experience in 2023

Traveling is supposed to be one of the best ways to learn some lessons of life. I believe it is a fun way too. Whether it is a bus commute to another city or a flight to another country, each travel has taught me something and enriched me in some way. Which is why each time I return from some place, I start dreaming of the next destination to go to.

My readiness to travel by any mode and travel light throws up a lot of options and I am glad for it. Additionally, travel experiences get more vivid and memorable when I travel to a new place and do something new. Such travel adventures become a source of immense happiness.

 Walk unfamiliar streets, look into new eyes

Listen to thoughts hitherto unravelled

For you cannot claim to have lived well

Unless you have moved around and travelled 

(written by self)

My travel to Aamchi Mumbai stands out as the best when I list the various things that made me happy in 2023. It was not the first time I went to Mumbai – I had been there twice earlier – but this was different. I would be lying if I said Mumbai trip happened just like that, for it did not. Yet, it happened unexpectedly. 

I was looking forward to an urgent break from the routine and preferably something that involved travel. I wanted it to be a meaningful trip too. By some stroke of God’s grace, I chanced on the name of Ashwin Padukone ji, a marathoner, on Facebook. 

Some achievements of Ashwin Padukone –

1.      Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 – Full Marathon

2.      ProCam Slam Achiever (4 major racing events of India) 2019-20

3.     Over 30 half marathon races including 2 podium finishes in his age category (60+)

The above could have been achieved by anyone with rigorous practice. But Ashwin took up running in 2017 after 3 major health set-backs. He suffers from Coronary Artery Disease. He had heart attack and underwent Angioplasty in 2010 with 2 stents. Ashwin is a Kidney Cancer survivor (Metastatic clear cell RCC) with the diseased kidney removed in 2014. To me, he is a cancer winner. He also suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis. That’s what makes Ashwin a marathoner with a difference. 

I had taken up walking/jogging seriously from January 2023 and was looking forward to someone to guide me. Considering Ashwin’s achievements in the backdrop of his health condition, he seemed to be the right person to become my mentor. Ashwin does karaoke singing too, which was like icing on the cake for me as I too am fond of Karaoke singing. Thus I had no further thoughts on making Aamchi Mumbai my destination. 

I travelled by sleeper bus both ways to save on the flight charges. Remember, any mode of travel? I started on Friday and reached on Saturday. I accepted the invitation to be the guest of Ashwin and Anjali Padukone, and stayed with the wonderful couple and basked in their warm hospitality. 

The next 3 days comprised the following – 

Saturday – Day zero – It was Dussehra time. So I got to witness Dandia by the colony neighbours in the evening. It felt so warm to see men, women and children of all ages dancing with steps to the Dandia songs and tunes. Some synched their steps, a few just had fun. Got a beautiful lac (a natural resin) bangle custom-made by the artisan there, courtesy the bank who sponsored the Dandia program that evening.

Sunday – Day 1 – Morning walk in Borivali National Park reaching upto Kanheri Caves – together nearly 14 Km.

Monday – Day 2 – Morning walk on Marine Drive, and along Chowpatty beach and Grant Road ending with a buffet breakfast in Shetty Foods. Met Shri Muralidhar Hegde, the manager who greeted us cordially and personally looked after us, happy to find we were from South Kanara like him.

Tuesday – Day 3 – Walk on Malad Back Road – lots of walkers / joggers / runners / cyclists. Met Shri Kamalaksha Rao – a passionate marathoner who is nearly 78 years of age; he did a 75 Km. run on his 75^th birthday. Wow, that’s such an inspiring manner to celebrate one’s birthday. Then I met Daya Shetty, of “darwaza thodo” fame from the popular TV series CID , who stopped his cycling and obliged to my request for a couple of photos.

I fulfilled the wishes I had before starting for Mumbai. I met Ashwin and found inspiration and got a lot of tips on running marathons, ate Mumbai’s signature fun food Missal Pav, sang duets with Ashwin on karaoke, and also met real life and reel life heroes mentioned above (including Ashwin). 

Elaborating my travel experience on social media may seem needless. But I have done it to convey the message that traveling is worth when it helps us to explore unknown spaces and connect with real people who have challenges but rise above and beyond them and become examples for others to emulate. Most importantly, traveling doesn’t have to burn a hole in the pocket if planned thoughtfully. 

Mumbai is probably an ordinary city but the people I met there are and will remain extraordinary to me. Always so.

Saved by Straws

- Published in Deccan Herald on 01Jan2024