(Prologue: Its been my fervent desire to see if we can apply management tricks and skills to create motivation among the hoi poloi. Because I firmly believe that the problem with developing nations is not the lack of resources; its the lack of inspired and motivated populace. The following incident happened to a friend of mine who works in Kolkata. Still I will narrate the story in first person!
PS: Please don't judge. Judging is easy, doing is difficult and this is the first time in my life that I have seen this involvement and ingenuity!)
Howrdah, the main station of Kolkata, is full of people in any given time of the day. Sitting there, waiting for your train, is a torture. But when you need to do it on a regular basis, you start enjoying the menial happenings around you! I had more or less 30 minutes to wait and a young couple was siting beside me. There came a street urchin, barely five, pestering for some help. I ignored him and the girl of the young couple gave him two rupees! Then the guy started explaining to her, why she should not give alms to such urchins and the argument went on. After getting the money from the girl, the kid patted me and showed me his prize! I became a bit playful and asked him to hit me harder, if he can! And he was game. He went on hitting my palm and his tender hands became tired soon and his fist became red. Once tired, he gave up and I asked him to go and wash his hands properly (washing your strained hands in cold water does help a lot). He went and came back with his hands washed. To linger it, I asked him to wash it still cleaner. And with two more iterations, I was satisfied. I gave him a banana and took one for me. We both sat down and ate on the bench. While eating I asked him, who else are there in his family. His father had ran away long ago. He has one elder brother and a younger sister. Both the guys would beg in the platform to get some money for food. (Don't forget that he is merely five! So asking him to work and earn is out of question!!) Then I asked him how much does he make every day? It seemed he would make 20-50 rupees (~$1) a day and on that day he has made merely 7 rupees. I wanted to test one of my management pieces of knowledge. I told him that I will give him 50 rupees in return of his 7 rupees if only he does what I ask of him. He agreed and parted with his 7 rupees. I asked him to go round the platform and ask for money to each person, but only once. Not to pester anyone. If anyone denies then just leave him/her in peace. He went round and came back in 5 minutes with 20 rupees! And then he made a tour of all other platforms and he was with a total of 75 rupees! He was delighted with this new trick. Then i advised him to go to home now and take rest and then play or study! He agreed readily and left the platform with a wide smile...!!
And I was satisfied with two things. I have tested my management knowledge in field and was satisfied that it works even in a train-platform! And seeing this wide smile on the face of a five year old urchin is a satisfaction only known to those who have experienced it!
