A senior colleague of mine - one Mr MA - was a unique example of a dedicated worker in the office.
He started his career there and worked whole life without ever thinking of switching over to some other organisation.
That is why some called him a "captive worker". Others would describe him as a person who would not move out even if a fortune was promised to him.
We worked together in the north Indian city of Lucknow that was known for its unique composite culture, spirit of camaraderie, typical mannerism and many other charms that did not let migrants to think of ever leaving the beautiful city.
Whoever came to Lucknow got "glued" to the city of Nawabs. It was because of this phenomenon that some Urdu poet said about the city, "Hum fidaaye Lucknow, Lucknow hum pe fida" (I have fallen in love with Lucknow and the city has fallen in love with me).
MA was often described as the true embodiment of the oft-quoted saying.
Nevertheless, he was known and respected in the professional circles for the quality of his work.
That was why he was approached several times with lucrative offers but he always turned them down. In fact, any such proposal rather seemed to irritate him.
Those who did not approve of MA's line of thinking used to deride him saying, "Like the captain of a ship, MA would prefer to go down with the vessel if, God forbid, it sinks. But he would not move out of the present place."
MA was a bachelor and lived alone. So, he had practically no family obligations. As he used to say, he was quite happy and contented with whatever destiny had given him. He had no regrets.
He was not a clock watcher and would not mind working for long hours, if need be.
He had specialised in a particular area of work. As such, the bosses were very particular about only MA doing the job. So far so good.
But for some inexplicable reason, he would bunk the office at the most crucial time. That would make the bosses angry.
One day when the office team was almost ready to launch a project, initiated by MA, he conveyed the message that he would not be going to the office as his "grandmother had died".
"Demise" being a sensitive matter, there were no questions and discussions. The office decided to keep the project in abeyance till MA returns.
Two-three days later when MA returned, the usual formalities were gone through. Staff members inquired about his grandmother's ailment and offered condolences.
The formalities were over and the incomplete work was taken up and executed. In fact, the office did not insist on getting a leave application from MA.
A few weeks later, there was an exact repeat of the same situation; another project and MA vanishing at the most crucial hour. This time also, the office had received through a stranger the same one-liner from MA: "Grandmother expired".
Again, the need for a formal leave application was given a goby. However, things started turning unfavourable for MA when in the subsequent period, he repeated the exercise, every time conveying to the office the same message that his grandmother had died.
By now, it had become too much to swallow for the office people who nevertheless adored and respected him. Important work had suffered many a time. The top boss was angry. He suspected something fishy about the way MA was absenting himself.
In his heavy voice, the boss roared, "How is it that every time MA is needed for some special assignment, his grandmother dies? How many grandmothers does he have?"
Then he asked his subordinate, "When MA returns, ask him to give me a list of his grandmothers".
There were muffled laughters.
A few days later when MA came back from "mourning", the top boss' order was communicated to him. But he did not react and remained undaunted and unmoved. He continued to bunk office.
Gradually, the bosses gave up, ticking him off as "incorrigible". They reconciled themselves to the inevitable.
And thus, even in subsequent years, his grandmothers continued to "die".
Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.
