That was an important day in my life. I got a meaningful piece of advice from my father who was affectionate and dutifully carried out his responsibilities to educate me. But after I graduated from school, my father took a practical stand. “Your wings are strong now; you need to make attempts to fly independently.” I wished to pursue a two years course in Journalism, for which the budget was about Rs.3, 00,000/- for two years, including tuition fees and hostel charges/boarding. The College of Journalism was in Mumbai (Maharashtra State), and we were permanently settled in New Delhi. “I have details about the Bank Loan Scheme for the students. Go and discuss the procedure and the related issues with a Bank Official. Earn while learning is also a good proposition in Mumbai,” said my father.
I visited a commercial bank and by providing two guarantors and showing them the proof of my admission to the College of Journalism in Mumbai, secured the loan and the Bank agreed to disburse the amount in two equal installments. The repayment of the loan would be in sixty equal installments, including interest @ 10%. The first installment will be after two years of completing the course, with the option to pre-pone the repayment, with proportional relief in the interest amount.
Within two months, I was able to get a part-time job with a multinational company. My responsibility was to produce the monthly house magazine of the company, meant for distribution within the organization (for employees and officials). 14,000 copies of the magazine were published monthly. I need to work for an hour daily between 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. (Sundays and holidays excluded) The Head Office of the company was close to our College. My monthly compensation was Rs.8, 000/-, sufficient to meet the installment of the loan. This proved to be the second area of my learning, as interaction with the top officials of the Organization and the practical issues involved in producing the magazine provided to me invaluable experience and expertise in business and creative writing.
Secondly it was a great mental relief and gave me lots of confidence. Month after month, my bank loan liabilities kept on decreasing. With my penchant for research and writing skills, the top management of the company took a liking for my work.
I completed the course of Journalism, and the result was on the expected liens. I secured First Division with distinction in the subject of “Business Communications.” But the least expected happened in my life. Within two days after getting the result, the Chief Personnel Officer called for me and he was acting under instructions from the top management of the company.”Are you willing to take up the responsibility as the Deputy Public Relations Manager of our Organization? The place of your present posting will be at out works at Pune (Maharashtra State) and you have been offered an annual package of Rupees 4, 50,000/- to start with.”
…..My top priority was to clear my loan liabilities and within 6 months of my joining the Organization, I had paid it up. I always thank for my father for the bold and correct advice so well given to me at the appropriate stage of my life.
