My exciting career in India Cements

17.4.2014

My one year career in India Cements:  A great learning experience with a human touch

V Balasubramanian

When my long time good friend and ex ET colleague, Shri T E Raghavasimhan presented me a Novel 2012 Diary with wonderful quotes,  I noticed a thoughtful quote in the beginning, “ In times of change, there is no incentive so great, and no medicine so powerful as hope for a better tomorrow”. Immediately, I wrote in that page, “ Wonderful for me”. That is what  precisely happened in my life.

One year down the line, I was to retire from my long innings in journalism. I had no clue about my future after Mar 31, 2013. I had a warm send off by my colleagues and friends. Reached home that day evening ( Sat). My dear wife, Mrs G Malathy, working in SBI,  who  is always a great source of strength for me, warmly received me and said, “ You have worked a lot. Take care of your health and lead a peaceful life; Let us be content with what we have and continue our simple life”. Indeed, a  rare gesture in today’s world. That day night, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I started recollecting my 30 year long journey in journalism, the kind of stories I have broken, great interviews done, my turbulent times in my job , good things I have done in my life, etc etc.

Next Day, Sunday, we all visited temples and Sri Kanchi Mutt to get blessings of our Gurus.   I started informing Corporate leaders, PR contacts and friends about my retirement. All of them wished me all the best and said nice words about me.   Only one  Great person, Sri N Srinivasan, MD, India Cements immediately contacted me and invited me to join his organization. Like other leading businessmen, I had known him for over 20 years and done a number of stories  capturing the growth journey of his company.

I told him, Sir I have no big ambition in my life. Please, just help me in engaging myself with some assignments.  But to my pleasant surprise , as a very kind hearted and generous person, NS appointed me as VP Corporate Communication . He asked me to continue the good work done by late Sri P Ramchander, who was editor, Compass Journal of India Cements. He was instrumental in reviving the journal after MD regained control over the company in 1989. Since then, Chander has made Himalayan contribution to the organisation and brought out several issues of Compass and special editions.

  On receiving the order from ICL, me and wife were touched and moved very much by the kind gesture of MD. My joy knew no bounds and every one in my family felt happy for me. I said God has always been kind to me in several ways and this time, His incarnation came in the form of NS. I assured him my best effort to continue the good work of Sri Chander.

 One thing, I must tell you all. Even before the offer came from ICL, our son, Sree Kumar wrote in his school diary In the parent column that I am working in India Cements. When I asked him how he knew in advance, he simply said I know you will join CSK company. Oh God. So great feelng.

This day, April 17, 2013, I joined India Cements. It has been a great, warm and refreshing change. Everyone, including top officials warmly welcomed me  into ICL family. I am getting their best support and guidance. I am touched by their faith in me.  I  am fruitfully engaging myself with works. There is absolute work life balance.  Lot of my friends liked my shift and greeted  me. It came as a pleasant surprise to others, especially PR and corporate communication. Perhaps,  this is the first  time, a Journalist has joined a traditional industrial house in Chennai. 

A month later, media trial of our company and MD began with unfair coverage almost every day.  I had no clue how to manage the war like situation. I could only pray God for good outcome and justice.  Some friends  started commenting and critcising me. I remained cool doing my job.

 I used the time to redesign and launch  our website, redesign our in house journal, Compass, visiting our T S Narayanaswami college, cement plants , meeting analysts,  organizing events, quarterly press meets etc. I also engaged myself in updating  top officials on economy and industry  developments.  I also used my time to reach out to  the Tamil Media.When Tamil Journalists showed interest in meeting MD, he readily agreed to meet them and shared the developments in the cement industry.

My long time media friends who also know MD, are aware of what is happening and the unfair treatment to our MD.  I am sure the clouds will clear soon and truth will prevail. I  only tell my media friends not to undermine and gloss over the great contribution of MD and company to industrial development,  sports, cricket, community development, social welfare, education and healthcare. They could visit our website as well as go through the latest affidavit filed by MD before SC.

  When so many corporate houses have  tumbled and struggled to stay afloat in the terrible economic slow down and began  downsizing their business and manpower,  here is an organization, a dynamic kind hearted  leader with a  committed team  running the business well and taking care of thousands of  people depending on him and the company. It is hard to find such a caring organisation and business leader.  Day is not far off when they will realize the truth.

It is time for media, print and mass, to look beyond sensational TRP driven news\bites and play a constructive  role in nation building by joining hands with corporates, entrepreneurs, industry bodies  in highlighting the burning issues facing our economy and industries and creating more income and  jobs. Luckily,It was good – golden times for journos like me when our economy was just liberalized in 1991 and so many industries\new gen entrepreneurs were blooming that we could capture their success stories. I wish we get back to those exciting time so that a new future heralds for media.

Best Wishes

Balu