It is exactly 12 weeks since we landed in Kolkata. The changes so far has been tremendous in terms of adjustment, getting used to the system, setting up, office front, home and so on. I sometimes feel if I took the right decision in coming to Kolkata for a govt. job at all. Previously I have worked in places like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai before leaving for US and had a completely different experience altogether. Kolkata is such a place, you can't get anything moving when you want it to; it will happen but at its own time and pace. Whether you are still having patience or interest is entirely upto you.
Here in the office, a lot has been happening and one of the most important part of it all is my salary. Just before completing a month, I went to the state bank of India branch near the office and opened an account. That is not even a straight forward procedure. That lady made us come few times for that already. When that was done, I thought, gosh, this is such a big job, now let me give my account number to the salary department and now be in peace. Alas, little did I know that after running behind them for 3 months and following up finally I have given up on my salary after receiving a pittance for just 7 days.
The story goes like this: After one and half months, I went and asked the salary dept if they have credited money to the account. To that they said your fellowship has not come (I joined as Ramalingaswamy fellow). I have already got a letter from DBT saying the money has been transferred but these people say no I muttered to myself. After 15 days I went again, and heard the same thing. Called back to DBT, they said money has already been credited. Then went to that section again and asked about the money, the man responsible said the same thing "money has not come". I went 2 days after and asked and got the same answer. I was very frustrated, then a colleague of the guy that was searching for the money, came and suggested another search option (To begin with, I was never satisfied the way he was searching, and was glad that someone from them suggests the different search option). Lo and behold, the money was already there!! Then I sighed of relief and asked the guy to give me a check and he said NO to that. He asked me to get hold of Mr. A and ask him about it. Mr. A is sitting next to that guy by the way. I was surprised and was wondering why can't he talk to Mr. A. Anyways, I tried to get hold of Mr. A several times, but he is never at his desk. Finally I got hold of him and asked him about my salary, to that he said he is waiting for some bill from bill section. Well again waiting. They said next week you come, you will get your salary. I went the next week, and they gave me a meagre 7 days salary. I asked what happened to the rest ( 2 months)? They said not processed yet. Again I went to Mr. A. After chasing him for few times, he said he can't do much, I have to speak to Mr. B at the bills section. My chase continued and finally found Mr. B at his desk. Mr. B says he can't do much Mr. A has to work on it. Few days later I found Mr. A and Mr. B in their seats at the same time!! How lucky I was , I caught the rarest of the constellations I thought. Then I managed to make Mr. A and B meet. They were extremely friendly to each other talked in Bengali. Now finally Mr. B left, I asked "Mr. A now we are good right, will I get my salary"? He said "NO, Mr. B has to give me something in writing". Then I went and asked Mr. B about it, he said there is something Mr. A has to do. So back again to the deadlock. Now with this, I give up the hope of getting my own money. This is IICB admin staff for you. I am wondering now whom to complain. Is this the govt. system, the people, people of this particular region or Bengalis, I am completely at loss of words. In my several years of job experience, never I had to go behind people like this for my salary....
The bright side of everything is, I feel happy that I have got a lab at least by sheer luck. Guess how? - all because I did not take a single break and joined here immediately. The prince I mentioned in some of my previous posts (August end 2012), joined 3 weeks after me. He got everything done quickly, but still did not get a lab. All beacuse there is no space. I happened to have taken the last vacant spot!! What could that mean is , not being able to order anything and that takes a dangerously long time here. Had I joined little bit later (e.g; after the prince - after a break may be), I would probably have been left like him. So, I thank my lucky star, even if I don't get my salary, I just have a lab to relish....
Here in the office, a lot has been happening and one of the most important part of it all is my salary. Just before completing a month, I went to the state bank of India branch near the office and opened an account. That is not even a straight forward procedure. That lady made us come few times for that already. When that was done, I thought, gosh, this is such a big job, now let me give my account number to the salary department and now be in peace. Alas, little did I know that after running behind them for 3 months and following up finally I have given up on my salary after receiving a pittance for just 7 days.
The story goes like this: After one and half months, I went and asked the salary dept if they have credited money to the account. To that they said your fellowship has not come (I joined as Ramalingaswamy fellow). I have already got a letter from DBT saying the money has been transferred but these people say no I muttered to myself. After 15 days I went again, and heard the same thing. Called back to DBT, they said money has already been credited. Then went to that section again and asked about the money, the man responsible said the same thing "money has not come". I went 2 days after and asked and got the same answer. I was very frustrated, then a colleague of the guy that was searching for the money, came and suggested another search option (To begin with, I was never satisfied the way he was searching, and was glad that someone from them suggests the different search option). Lo and behold, the money was already there!! Then I sighed of relief and asked the guy to give me a check and he said NO to that. He asked me to get hold of Mr. A and ask him about it. Mr. A is sitting next to that guy by the way. I was surprised and was wondering why can't he talk to Mr. A. Anyways, I tried to get hold of Mr. A several times, but he is never at his desk. Finally I got hold of him and asked him about my salary, to that he said he is waiting for some bill from bill section. Well again waiting. They said next week you come, you will get your salary. I went the next week, and they gave me a meagre 7 days salary. I asked what happened to the rest ( 2 months)? They said not processed yet. Again I went to Mr. A. After chasing him for few times, he said he can't do much, I have to speak to Mr. B at the bills section. My chase continued and finally found Mr. B at his desk. Mr. B says he can't do much Mr. A has to work on it. Few days later I found Mr. A and Mr. B in their seats at the same time!! How lucky I was , I caught the rarest of the constellations I thought. Then I managed to make Mr. A and B meet. They were extremely friendly to each other talked in Bengali. Now finally Mr. B left, I asked "Mr. A now we are good right, will I get my salary"? He said "NO, Mr. B has to give me something in writing". Then I went and asked Mr. B about it, he said there is something Mr. A has to do. So back again to the deadlock. Now with this, I give up the hope of getting my own money. This is IICB admin staff for you. I am wondering now whom to complain. Is this the govt. system, the people, people of this particular region or Bengalis, I am completely at loss of words. In my several years of job experience, never I had to go behind people like this for my salary....
The bright side of everything is, I feel happy that I have got a lab at least by sheer luck. Guess how? - all because I did not take a single break and joined here immediately. The prince I mentioned in some of my previous posts (August end 2012), joined 3 weeks after me. He got everything done quickly, but still did not get a lab. All beacuse there is no space. I happened to have taken the last vacant spot!! What could that mean is , not being able to order anything and that takes a dangerously long time here. Had I joined little bit later (e.g; after the prince - after a break may be), I would probably have been left like him. So, I thank my lucky star, even if I don't get my salary, I just have a lab to relish....
