THE BHAGEERATHY STORIES

THE BHAGEERATHY STORIES

NPA RECOVERY

It was in 2004 or 2005..

I was at Kanjikuzhy branch.. There was a big NPA in our branch…on verification, I came to know that it was about a crore and that it was a project loan. During those days, Kottayam was just a beginning for flats and this was one of the  first flats that came up. (another was of Pottenkulam group and they managed to repay) Most of the investors were NRIs. About 10 flats were occupied. The others were half built. The negotiations were going on and on and on..The Bank was willing for a compromise…but..

It was then I got an idea..The DGM and AGM were my good friends..so I had confidence of somebody backing up..

I knew the Builders Forum president who had availed an OD in our Changanacherry branch.  I took him to this flat and asked him to prepare a project report for completion of the NPA flat. He came out with a project cost of Rs.50 lakhs for completion. It was decided that two duplets costing Rs.50 lacs will be given to him.  He can sell and meet the costs. So to begin the work, he was allowed to overdraw his account by 50 lakhs at Changanacherry branch. He was given green signal.

The present occupiers were also happy. They also was not having occupancy certificates and they had problems with KSEB, Water and other connections.

The flats were finally constructed and we gave housing loans for 10 people at Rs.20 lakhs per house and all the houses were sold out and the existing house owners also  got all their problems solved.  The Current account overdrawings were cleared and by selling duplexes at Rs.35 per duplex, he made a profit of Rs.20 lakhs.

Thus our NPA was recovered and all were happy also.

In another instance, where I was BM, there was an NPA and the mortgage property was in Govindapuram.

The FOs present and past – all had only one thing to say – Madam, the land will not go for sale..there was a new bus stand.. The Bank decided to go in for a compromise by getting Rs.28 lakhs  against an outstanding of Rs.48 lakhs.

Igot permission from AGM to visit the place.

I did homework..I called the Tahsildar and he had agreed cooperation.

I asked Unni, the car driver and viswasthan..I started by 3 AM, went straight to Guruvayur..Luckily, I could go in straight and quickly had darshan..

We reached Govindapuram and was thunderstruck to see that it was such a beautiful plot and easily approachable by road and the reports I heard was wrong. I gave Rs.500/= to the peon for expenses and  myself, tahsildar and the peon went and identified the plot which was full of bushes due to neglect.  The plot was used by the lorry drivers as a wasteground. The tamilnadu border was just yards away.

I gave Rs.1000/= to the peon to arrange for clearance of the plot. I gave Unni about a dozen of my visiting card and asked him to give to all shops nearby and tell them that SBT has taken possession of this property and will be brought for sale and interested parties may contact the branch manager..

None will believe if I say, I had got a lot of calls on my phone while on travel back.  On reaching the branch the next day there was a call from one Mr Ibrahim..He threatened to sue me because he had already advanced for this plot.  I told him that SBT has mortgage of this property and we had the right and you have been cheated..I can give the property documents if the full money is paid..

This Ibrahim and the borrower came to see me..Imagine Bank had agreed for compromise of Rs.28 lakhs. But I said I will realease the documents only if I get full amount as there are offers for much higher amount.

He paid Rs.48, 20,400/= including my taxi and hotel bills and interest uptodate.

I got accolades..

GOOD SAMARITAN

 Years Back..when I was in Kottayam Treasury Branch..

Zonal Office calls..”DGM wants to meet you madam..”

Usually DGM calls only for firing..and so getting prepared with branch figures..I went to ZO….DGM called me in..”Sit down..What did you do yesterday?”  I don’t remember having done anything wrong yesterday..”You have brought accolades to SBT..a wonderful job..Tell me full story..” I thanked God..

The day before..

Telephone rings..”Madam this is District Collector..I want immediately 8 lakh rupees from collector’s account..Its so urgent and a public cause..My heart stopped for a moment..Whether to tell yes or no..The Collector’s account is with us and we had been good friends..but if I agree..today bank is not functioning..How can I open the Chest…Somebody from above told me to say YES..

Then I called Head Cashier..and we both went to our Petrol Bunk account holders and some other Current account people..Took the cash  gave a receipt..and there was the 8 lakhs..  They gave the cheque and collected the cash..

There was an accident in Erumely..A bus with pilgrims fell into the river..and the money required was for arranging ambulance and connected purposes..

The District Collector was so happy and especially after getting NO from some other banks..He went to the Press and praised me and the Bank…

I didn’t see the newspapers ..but our DGM showed me the papers..

Periyamama poyachu

In the evening Pushpa rang me and told “Periyamama poyachu”..

He voice was ..A sigh of relief…

I did not how to react..

It was good that he died..

But he died without family…..No karmas done…died somewhere in an oldage home in attingal..

No one ever knew him…..because he was dump..I don’t still know whether he was deaf..

He never had a good life…

But he worked in Pathanasamy kovil..Joil – vilakkeduppu..pension about 8000/- but did he enjoy life..

My grandmother used to say..”Giri I wanted to tell you a serious thing…though it did not make me serious..All of you join together and find out a solution for this one…Periyamama”

She died without this solution….

Paati…my grandfather’s(mother’ father) used to carry him to Ooma school in Jagathy …but when she is back home..he is there playing..choru padackal…the only play I have heard he had played.. there was a hall outside Pathanasamy temple I have seen my eyes unbelieving..chemba arisi chatham..in the shape of pathram upside down..It was enough for two of us but the fisherwomen will be buying two or three and enjoying with the morumvellam and achar from a vendor on the road…

Periyamama used to bring his share ..all mathilakam employees had a share.. I liked the taste…we also feel that it is prasadam of the Lord..

This passion of Periyavan.. made him stay more  inside this big temple and finally got him a job there..Vilakkeduppu..

During the seeveli..we children used to tell others…Periyamama..Periyamama…Equally we were speechless when somebody calls him..”pottan..”

I knew his brilliance..when once my grandmother not wanting him to attend a relative’s marriage..saw him there even before she reached..How he knew the bus, the routes ? Even the well read ones would need assistants..but this man..”unpad..deaf and dumb..still he can do anything..”

Sometimes he used to write on his hand and I somehow gathered his words…He was telling that he was going to some IAS officer’s house to give the prasadam..He was either chosen by temple authorities or by the IAS Officer. I feel his honesty and ability of doing things told to him..could be the reason.

My grandmother would admiringly give us a cup of the best payasam..It is from inside the temple..(original) and it is for …some special poojas.. and we used to take it as Lord’s gift to us..There are many who yearn for this which we get without any effort..

During later years I wanted to thank Him and him..

When we were in Chettiar Compound..many a day there would be a big crying sound…My mother’s face saddened .. Periyavan. And the sambalam day. Grandmother would ask for the money..and it ends with a beating from Thatha ..The money is never got but only the wailing is heard..and for fear of the public face which was always ready to laugh inside and pity outside..my mother would interfere and he goes free..

But  my heart breaks..

I saw him one night selling news papers, mags at the platform , thampanoor bus stand.  The  bus stand is notorious with the cheats, pickpockets, prostitutes…and what not.. Why and how is he there..in bad company.. It was also a hushhush talk in Patti’s house house..After my thatha’s death, no one bothers to ask him..

“kadamaye..my grandmother  used to give him coffee, food..etc..

I can see a heavy heart bleeding in pain..

Many years flew in between.. things turned bad to worse and ugly..

Grandmother had a fall and she stopped going out..due to her leg fracture ..She is now in my Venkacham mama’s house..Venkacham mam’s children were married off and well settled..

His cleanliness and way of living never accepted Periyavan..but was worried of to settle things ..

A thinnai converted room was allotted to Periyavan..day time he sleeps and we knew his presence..by the cigarette smokes coming out.. Stories or rumours in family circles was that Periyavan was a bad guy and his Passbook bears a Vallakadavu address…

I often felt that things would have had a different turn had they compulsorily married him to a poor girl..One of his colleagues was also a deaf and dumb..but had a good family life….But why my grand parents never thought of it..perhaps they feared no girl would accept him or didn’t want any girl to suffer..

Now that all were retired and  Periyavan had worse times and had find out friends or public spaces for his daily chores..my grandmother adamantly declares…Till my death..i will feed him come what may..

But oneday  she called me aside..Giri I want to tell you a serious thing..All of you put your heads together and find out a way out..Put him to an old house…or find a solution…

Once  Chithi offered to take him to Madras and keep him in an old age home known to her..but Periyavan  don’t want to go anywhere.. Somebody tried to take him to the Brahmanasabha run old age home near Papanamcode..but no..he don’t want to..

And my grandmother died..perhaps she could find a solution after her death..

Things were turning ugly..

Mamas had to take responsibility without attachment..

One day they come to know that Periyavan had been hit by a speeding vehicle and was in General Hospital..and they had to go..another day another incident and they are beginning to be fed up…

Periyavan’s eye sight faded..

One day I was simply frozen..I out of sympathy went to him to enquire of his health inside Pathanasamy temple near Narasimha moorthy shrine, where he regularly sits. He did not recognize me..he was telling of his difficulty to see…very poor visibility..My god..i didn’t know whether to take him to a hospital or pay him for his operation…but  how ..i had to go back to Chennai where I was working..

Another day I saw somebody helping him cross the road..

I prayed to God..

Recently I visited Venkacham mama’s house and was told that Periyavan began to defacate in the room itself and unbearable..He found out a new old age home far away in an interior place in Attingal.

And  just now Pushpa called me  …He is no more..

He is my uncle..my mother’s  brother.. he died unmarried…

I did not cry..took a bath ..a small aching in the mind..will my grandma rest in peace now..

Did the atma take vasanas with it…No rites done will it reach destination?

Lalithadas

I went to see the ballet "karuna" by Lenin Rajendran at Chowdia Memorial Hall, Malleswaram yesterday. Vasavadatta's story. After the show was over, i met Mr.Keshav, retd CGM of SBI. He told me that Meena wanted to give me an autographed copy of her book - autobiography of MKK Nair (With malice towards none"). I had earlier read a portion of the same in a magazine. I had discussed of this and of sri MKK Nair to Keshav sir. He would have told this to Meena. Moreover, when i first met Lalitha das, mother of meena, she told me that she was from trivandrum and on my enquiry she told that she was MKK Nair's brother's wife. Then she was taken aback when i enquired of another brother and his family.  

I didn't tell her how i knew them.

While i was at Tripunithura, i got a call from the officer in charge of DRT accounts at zonal office. He instructed me to arrange an AC car and take the DRT officer to trivandrum to see a property pledged to us in one of the DRT cases. I arranged the car. Then i glanced through the case file.  The borrower, an engineer, took a loan from us. The venture failed. Then as a part of compromise, bank will release a plot in Kannur belonging to his wife and he can sell it and remit a particular amount (i learned that the land would fetch more than the money to be remitted). Then a new loan will be sanctioned for another venture.  The new venture was to manufacture the wheeled baskets as seen in malls of today and airports. but he was too early in the market and it failed. On going through the decree, i was shocked to see that the property we are to see is not in the list. but figures in all correspondences. Actually, there was to have a tripartite agreement agreeing to mortgage the property because the documents were in the court for the earlier loan, which was not done by the Bank.  However, i did not tell anyone. we went to see the plot 40 cents in Kazhakuttam. Then, we thought of going to his house. The car had a board, GOI. The DRT recovery officer had vast powers. We went to the borrower's home. His mother came out. An old lady but from her looks we can understand that she was from a "tharavad". She told that we cannot go inside the house or see her husband. We felt bad. I insisted and told her that of DRT officer's powers.  But to our shock, we saw a man - a vegetable man as they call...a frail body.

we said sorry and went back.

This was MKK Nair's another brother, a retired RDO. 

I sent persons to meet her daughter (borrower's sister) and her husband - then working at Amrita Institue, Kochi to somehow help us recover this NPA. 

I took lot of pains to recover about Rs.18 lakhs and write off some interest and the bank closed the case.

But today, i am now a friend to another brother's family. Mr.Gopal Das. Mrs Lalitha das invited me to their annual day function of the Bangalore Club for kathakali and Arts. Mrs Meena das narayan, d/o lalitha das  gifted me with a book - a translation of the autobiography of MKK Nair.

I have also been to Ambalamughal, where there were some members of the Book club in which i was a member while at Tripunithura. I have seen the farsightedness and creativity of Sri MKK Nair.

Somewhere i have read..meeting people accidentally is coincidental for us but it is acually a continuity, from earlier births..

debit cards

When i told this story to Mr Shajeel, he laughed and laughed..So i thought i should write it down. 

It happened in 2002 or so. In order to push technology to people or is it to push people away as part of crowd management or whatever it may be..somebody at HO decided to give that yellow debit cards to all, whether they wanted it or not, but they know pretty well that the address, telephone numbers and many details are as much as old as the account opening is...

So it would be wise to send the cards to the branches instead of the account holders inspite of poor manning of branches..Tripunithura branch is known for its personal segment strength. We received one or two parcels..and we knew it to be Debit Cards.

Branch manager burnt his midnight oil and even though he is a post graduate and university first in science, he managed to learn various models and theories in maths for a solution to somehow push these cards..The covers had name and account numbers. So this was sorted in alphabetical order..somebody sorted some of the covers - account number wise...Finally Mr Shenoy, brnch manager managed to make a bunch of covers with all the staff members..Their duty was to jot from the system the phone numbers.. But who will call these customers...they may be house-wives, students, busy officials...etc..Time of calling is also important.  The Branch Manager found that there are five security guards who is almost glued to their seats, though it is said that they are smart militiary personnel..I felt sorry when i learned that the organisation for their registration does not know any other method than the registration wise..there is no provision to segregate from that list...and because of this  the soldiers who had fought in the forefront does not get any priority over any other category including the soldier who irons the clothes..i.e. he need not be an expert in firing..

anyway the BM gave to each of them a list of names and telephone numbers and instructed them to tell that they should come to the bank and take the cards and pins ( some of the customers woould have wondered why Bank is giving pins..)

Being honest and hardworking retired militiary personnel, they obeyed BM and many old people were seen coming to branch fearful as if their accounts will be not allowed to be operated if they do not take these cards..and they were seen cursing and telling that they do not want to use cards..Still we pushed these cards and the bold people who did not want cards never turned up and their cards were seen destroyed years after due to pressure from auditor and fraud department.

One day i received a telephone and i could see anger at the other end, though he knew me and do not want to hurt me.. I apologetically asked what went wrong because i anticipated a cheque return inspite of credit balance/drawing power..and i was totally in the dark as to the issue  of implementation of issue of debit cards..

He then enquired of the duty of the security guards and then asked who gave them the power to call the customers..He was also telling me not to harass customers...I again asked what went wrong..

He told this story..

"you know me..I am the Managing Director of M/s...and i will have to attend parties also and will at times rise from bed only after the sun reaches me desk..Yesterday,, was such a day.. I was sleeping and my telephone ( i dont remember whether he had a mobile ) rang at about 6 am. when it rang for a third time, thinking it was an important call, took and when i heard that it was from SBT, my adralin level shot up..I wondered what went wrong that i receive a call from SBT in the early morning.  I confirmed that it is from SBT...and then i said proceed..the voice said..Sir, this is from SBT and you have to come to the Bank and take the debit card..my heart sunk down..then i asked who he was...he told "I am the security staff".

He then requested me not to play such jokes to customers..

I then told him sorry and enquired and found out that it was the implementation of the debit card scheme..

I have witnessed many bad incidents after issuing the cards..

Train journey

Sunday morning 10.30 a.m. I got permission from my branch head to take sick leave. 

I rushed to KR puram RS. No trains till 2 p.m.  Felt ashamed on my ignorance on matters. No computers to my aide.

Decided to wait.

Good breeze.. and in between bad smell also.

I saw above my seat, a crow has made its nest and a not so small but yet a kid crow began crawing and its mother crow put something in its mouth .  The child is happy.  The nest was in between wires .  But the nest was same either on a tree or anywhere.   Who teaches crows to build the same nest everywhere.  Once the use is over, it neglects the nest.  Then I related to house building of humans..  a craze for difference from neighbours.  (The baker model in Kerala insists of using only locally available resources and the design to last only for 20 -25 years so that the posterity can demolish when required easily.  Only human beings attach importance to sentiments to houses… I feel that as we give much importance to building houses, we spent more money and energy on it  we feel  sad to see old historical buildings being demolished..

The crow then tried to pull something from the tubes or holes. I thought it had  stored food there.  But I saw it was searching for worms..( who teaches the crow to look for these worms in such places).

Then  a man is walking with a machine to sweep the platforms.. ) a mixed scene of adopting technology and yet keep the poorly paid lady workers to swab the floors. This we can see in all industry.  We adopt technology and at the same time engage labour. 

The theory is use technology to reduce labour, improve productivity and reduce costs to compete.   But  the present model of engaging men and machine seems to good in present conditions.

Then the number of people in the platform swelled.(again felt ashamed to see how the world is aware and I am not.

As the crowd swelled, the seats became the most sought after. The broadcast says the train is delayed.

Among the crowd, I saw small girls, children and many with happy faces..I thought people who are not happy are not travelling..So traveling makes one feel happy. 

I also saw the economic gap… Poor children gazing at the richer children eating chocos and we can see from their faces, their fear to ask their parents for something like that….

I felt as if I took wrong decisions..

First I could have gone to Cantonment RS where they give current reservations or I could have gone to Koramangala or Madivala from where we could get private buses though it costs more. The advice at the counter was to go by Seshadri train and get down at Katpadi and get another train to Chennai. But after this train there is another train directly to Chennai called Brindavan express.  I was thinking of going by Brindavan express.  But I suddenly stopped and asked the peon of the seshadri express train which was about to start. He immediately asked me to get in and when the train started he asked me to ask the station master to adjust. I searched and could not find the TTE. He came with me and pointed out the TTE. As I said this, he looked into the list for a minute. Then he said the ticket charge is 650/- and you can pay anything.  I thought he is asking for the ticket amount and anything..So I gave him Rs.800/- (i.e.650/-+150}.  He laughed at me. I can see his mind..though you look old, you are new to this business.. He took 500/- and gave me back 300/-. I happily returned and took my luggage which was with the peon.   Then  at the next station, I took the luggage and ran to get into A2 which was at the front. I sat in the AC comfortably.  Then the peon came and took me out of the AC cabin.  He asked me to pay to TTE Rs.200/- or at the maximum 300/-.  I said he took 500/-  he too laughed at me  and said you are robbed.  He then asked for 100/- and I thought paying for this man is a punya . I thanked god for the comfortable journey to Katpadi.

Inside the cabin, a rich man with a big stomach playing games on his I pad, was telling another girl who was traveling in a tatkal ticket. Rs.1200/- to renigunda -  Why did you take tatkal..you could get an adjustment trip in Tirupati quota , it would cost much less.???

From Katpadi to Chennai, standing.. the price for not planning a trip…

wish list

A wish list given by me to my General Manager in 2012 for improving Inspection dept. I recently discussed with an Officer. So I thought i can put it in my blogs.

Wish you a happy new year	January 1 2012
Inspection is becoming an important subject the world over		Wish list

Sir

Wish list

The Desk Officers needs frequent updating of knowledge:

Ø They can, with prior sanction, sit in any of the sessions they need updating ;( By this they can also hear the grapevine)

Ø They can be sent for training in Audit related programmes conducted in our Learning Centre and also in outside Training centres such as SBI, RBI etc.

Ø They should be motivated to take up online exams like CIA, CISA etc.

Ø Each Officer should present papers related to Audit

Ø Each Officer should be given training in basics in MS Office.

Ø Each Officer should be sent along with an I.O. to get to know an on-hands training in sampling, etc at branches.

The Desk Officers need to improvement in the way they work:

Ø In order to improve the work culture, the Department can think of giving a Certificate signed by the General Manager, for improvement in various parameters in the desk – outstanding performance such as prompt closure, the quality of notes, analytical way of presentation etc.

Ø Each Officer has to feel that he has been given 150 branches and not 150 audit reports and therefore, his work starts when the auditor begins to audit a branch.  He should keep close liaison with the auditor, branch and the peer at the Controlling Office, so that the audit and closure will be smooth.

Ø Each desk officer should make a presentation along with the synopsis to the DGM, if possible along with one or two photos of the branch outside and inside. The synopsis should contain an analysis as to why the branch obtained the rating.  An improvement or reduction in marks can also be discussed.

 

ü The Department can arrange for monthly talks by Chartered Accountants, and if possible Internal Auditors in Companies, other Banks, and SBI etc.

ü The I.Os may also be requested to make a presentation once in a while to the Department and the Department can let him know of their views on the reports of the IO. In return the IOs can apprise the department know of the gaps in their expectations from the Dept.

ü One Officer may be entrusted with the work of updating the Manuals, and also in the site.

ü A Monthly Newsletter can be printed and sent to all.