Memories Recollection Series
Episode 1
Problem Solving - Look for Handle, tighten the grip
The real life story being retrieved hereunder is entirely from my memory, and I am not holding back any facts as I recollect.
Around the time 1965-1970, there used be freestyle wrestling shows in New Delhi between Dara Singh and King Kong , and other well known wrestlers, but to the best of my limited understanding, those duels used to be managed, and our Dara Singh shall invariably trounce King Kong and other foreign origin wrestlers.
During the same time, there also used to be real wrestling matches too, which used to be dominated by wrestlers from Haryana. (That is how Haryana still provides winner wrestlers).
That time, I distinctly remember a champion wrestler with the name Meher Din, who for many years remained champion and no challenger wrestler could defeat him. Then comes one wrestler, with the name Chandgi Ram, who challenged Meher Din for a bout, which was accepted by Meher Din, and a match was fixed, probably in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi on one Sunday evening.
Since that time, there were no other entertainment games, a large crowd went to see the duel.
The challenger, Chandgi Ram defeated Meher Din in no time, and Master Chandgi Ram was crowned Wrestling champion.
When Chandgi Ram faced the press, after winning, he was asked, how could he managed to floor Meher Din in no time? His answer was, “ while watching his earlier matches, I observed that he had very strong wrists, the RIght Hand being the dominant one.”
He said, “ he then went on to develop his wrists, and he planned that somehow he has to got to hold Right Hand wrist of Meher Din, and then not to lose his grip under any circumstances.”
The strategy paid off, he got hold of Meher Din’s Right Hand wrist, and then whatever pressure/wrestling strategy Meher Din applied, he withered it, and at the earliest opportunity he floored him on the mat.
Now, the crux here is knowing the strength of the opponent, and not allowing him to play to his strength.
In the instant case, at a very early age, may be around 14-15 yrs, I learnt one of first lessons - look for the handle, do not allow the opponent space to play his shots, frustrate them, and then tighten your grip on the opponent, till you have your way.
I had been a core banker for almost 40 years, and recovery in irregular advances accounts had been my forte. That expertise ultimately took me to being the Bank’s Nodal officer at CDR (Corporate Debt Restructuring) Forum, and that exposure of almost a decade turned out to be most sublime part of my Banking career.
One of my friends, who has seen me closely working with CDR accounts, has commented that “Rajiv shall even carry the Key also, in case handle and grip didn’t work). He, however, doesn’t know Rajiv fully well, for Rajiv shall also carry a hammer if nothing works.
I have learnt from my Bosses that a work given and once accepted, has to be completed, and you can’t come back with excuses to support your inability to perform.
Not intending to boast my achievements, yes give me a problem account, and if anyone can do anything in that account, i should be among the top 3 banking officials to do it the quickest.
For that matter, let's name any problem, banking or a non-banking, say Meher Din. Observe the problem, look for the handle where you should lay your hands on, and tighten the grip
Finding Handle, followed by Grip, (even carrying a Key too) is the catch word for solving any problem.