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?