Express Memories

While networking with various Digital Marketing Agencies at a Google-hosted event, I came to a realisation: in order to stay competitive, agencies must invest in marketing technology tools. This realisation prompted my departure from CyberMedia services. With my newfound exposure to Digital Marketing, my goal was to join a renowned Digital Marketing Agency (DMA). However, due to my limited experience in the digital realm and lack of experience managing larger teams, I struggled to impress the prominent DMAs. Consequently, it was quite unexpected when I ended up joining the Express Computer team.

Upon joining the team, I consciously made the decision to prioritise my work and refrain from forming emotional attachments to my colleagues or the organisation. As my role centred around the relaunch of a brand, the foundation was laid to align with my strategic plan. The product I was responsible for did not have a dedicated sales team to achieve its specific targets. However, in the event that the sales team fell short of the product's target, they could compensate by surpassing the overall numbers through the success of another product with a strong reputation and widespread brand acceptance. Despite my desire to remain detached, I acknowledged the need to adapt and strategically proposed that a single person oversee the targets for both products, while I actively contributed as part of the larger team. This decision proved beneficial as it shielded me from potential layoffs during the pandemic.

As a member of the larger team, I gradually grew closer to several individuals in Mumbai. It all started on the train when I discovered that two colleagues, Mohit and Rajesh Bhajnik, coincidentally boarded the same train as me at 7:20 am from Borivali. They would get off at Borivali to enjoy a comfortable journey from there to Churchgate and catch up on some rest. During breakfast in our pantry, three more colleagues, Prasad Tate, Pravin Temble, and Aparna Tawade (who had been on my previous team), would join us. Around 10:30 am, we would take a quick break for tea, accompanied by Nirav Mistry and Douglas Menezes. At approximately 11:30 am, Rajesh Bhatkal and I would take a 10-minute stroll on Marin Drive. Lunchtime was at 12:45 pm, and the entire team, including Harit, Neil, Rajesh Bhatkal, Srikanth RP, and Nivedan Prakash, would gather. Finally, at 4:30 pm, we would have an evening tea and snack before rushing to catch the 6:14 pm train back to Borivali. This routine gradually eroded my initial decision to maintain distance, and I began to form connections with my colleagues, that is how I am.

During our interactions, I discovered that Nirav was passionate about running marathons, which aligned perfectly with my own love for running, even though I had never participated in a professional marathon. One day, I invited Nirav to join me for a run at the National Park, and he was highly impressed with the location. Coincidentally, a few months later, after his marriage, Nirav relocated to Borivali. Once he moved there, we became running buddies. His motivation pushed me to new limits, and I went from running an average of 4 kilometres to completing 10 to 15 kilometres, with a personal record of 21 kilometres.

The Mumbai office was a vibrant and fun-filled environment. Whenever someone returned from leave or an event in another city, it was customary to bring back something to eat. We celebrated birthdays and festivals, including a memorable Secret Santa exchange. During Navratri, we wore different colours, and we mustn't forget Mohan's talent for arranging lunch during special occasions. We always made sure to share the delicacies we brought with other departments. Our joyful celebrations soon became infectious, and other departments started organising their own festivities. The mezzanine floor of the Express Tower transformed into a lively and fun-filled space.

Diagonally opposite my bay, there was a bustling bay filled with energy. It housed a group of young girls who tirelessly made calls day in and out, skillfully convincing top honchos of corporates who were IT decision makers of their organisation.  This team did the heavy lifting of getting delegates for our event or an exclusive event of the client.  Additionally, they willingly took on the responsibility of managing their commuting arrangements. Their level of cooperation was nothing short of impeccable, and without it, delivering on our contracted commitments would have been impossible.

This team played a pivotal role in integrating me into the organisation. They were not only attuned to the business needs, but also made it incredibly easy for me to gel with them. Their understanding of our objectives and their dedication to achieving them made working with them a seamless experience. Even during the challenging times of the pandemic, when their team leader left, the arrival of new leadership in the form of Muhurta and Madhuri brought about a significant positive change. Just like the breaking of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent unification of East and West Germany, the new leadership tore down the walls that divided different teams within our organisation.

The outcome of this transformation was the emergence of a single cohesive unit that overcame every obstacle thrown at us. We became a unified and unstoppable Dream Team, successfully tackling all challenges that came our way.

Durga, who joined a couple of months

after me, quickly became a close friend. Our bond strengthened further during my visits to Bangalore when I was heading CRN. As fate would have it, Prabhas played the role of the glue that held the four of us together—Prabhas, Durga, Nivedan, and myself. Nivedan was not just an old colleague but also a dear friend. I developed a connection with Durga as I was the first person he interacted with in Mumbai, and Prabhas facilitated our tight-knit group. We would often travel one day prior to an event to ensure everything was in order before the start. These pre-event trips played a significant role in strengthening our bond. Sometimes, the day before the event would present challenges, and no matter how hard we tried to fix things, they would go awry. However, with our collective support, we faced these challenges with laughter and composure, never succumbing to panic. The result was events that met the sponsors' expectations. Just before the start of an event, I would always remember Prabhas briefing to the team before the event "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

During the pandemic, some colleagues were laid off while others sought greener pastures. When we returned to the office, we found that things had drastically changed. We were relocated from the Express Tower to the Corporate Office in Mafatlal  Center, where we were expected to adhere to certain etiquettes. Fortunately, our area was situated far away from the upper echelons of the organisation. Initially, we followed the rules, but as more team members began coming in regularly, we slowly returned to our Express Towers' selves. In 2022, the celebratory spirit returned, along with delicious treats, birthday festivities, and festival celebrations. We found excuses to have Mohan organise a communal lunch. Whenever anyone felt hungry, they would head to the storage cabinet next to where Vrushali sat, knowing they would find something to eat.

New relationships began to form. Vrushali became my closest buddy in the office, while Mohan became my tea partner at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. We would commute back together, catching the 6:25 pm fast train to Borivali. My morning train time shifted to 8:03 am. Apart from Rajesh Bhatakal, my lunch companions included Laxmi, Viveka, and occasionally Kalyani, Mohan, Rajesh Bhajanik, and Deepak. With the addition of new team members from the online team—Alpesh, Nitesh, and Pranita—our celebrations became even more elaborate. Unlike in Express Tower, our festivities came under scrutiny from HR, questioning how we could celebrate without their permission. This compelled HR to take the initiative in organising festivals. However, we, the BPD team, continued our parallel celebrations. We organised our Diwali party and included housie (bingo) as one of the games. Most of the office preferred to join our housie game rather than attend the karaoke organised by HR during Christmas celebrations. Our Secret Santa tradition continued.

As with any celebration, the time eventually came for me to bid farewell to Indian Express. As I reflect on my memories, I realise what a wonderful journey it has been. Part of me wishes I had stayed a little longer, but considering my priorities, I had to make a difficult decision. I must ensure that this decision works in my favour and script my success in such a way that I cover the lost grounds for which I take blame on myself and reach to the level I am supposed to be within the next 9 to 12 months.

Lastly, it would be unfair if I didn't express my gratitude to Sunidhi, who gave me the idea for "Express Memories"