Chapter 1. Job Fair

 

One fine morning Karan was sipping the cup of tea sitting on the chair in the hostel room and was lost in some thought. A sudden knock on the door had brought him back from the world of moronic thoughts he was wandering.

He staggered to the door and twisted the latch to unlock it. As the door opened he found his friend Naresh standing right in front of him holding newspaper in his hands.“Look Karan! I have got good news for you”. Naresh handed him the newspaper pointing at the ad regarding the Job fair.

Karan looked him in surprise and took the newspaper from Naresh throwing a cursory glance at the advertisement published in the lower right corner of the paper in big font. “What kind of company is this?” demanded Karan putting aside the paper over the table next to him.

“This is a Gurgaon based MNC which is offering a handsome salary package and this is going to be the best opportunity for us to grab job Karan!” Naresh explained in a single breath.The news of job fair had spread in the college like wildfire.

All the final year students of the college had started preparing for the interview once again with renewed vigor. A new hope has arisen in the horizon and no one wanted to miss the opportunity this time. A hope for the selection built among students and Karan once again looked hopeful.Karan didn’t want to lose the chance this time.

He didn’t want to leave any stone unturned this time around.  As the date for the job fair was drawing near, the preparation for the interview gathered momentum.The queue of candidates before the doorway of interview hall was long and each moment passed in stress. All eyes turned to those faces that were coming out from the hall after the interview.

Seeking details every minute by guessing the facial expressions of interviewed candidates, Karan was trying to anticipate what was going inside. Karan’s turn for the interview came at the evening when all other candidates were gone to their homes. Returning back from the hall his face was lit with glittering smile as his interview went well.

The day of result came after two weeks of desperate wait and this time Karan was terribly nervous. Unable to summon the courage to face the situation he thought it easy to get the result by his friend. Karan’s phone was vibrating and his heart beat was pounding, picking up the phone his hands shook and the drops of perspiration rolled his forehead “Congrats Karan! You are selected” Karan exulted and jumped from the place he was standing. He was in the seventh sky and was unable to decide as to whom he should first inform.

Karan was thinking about arranging for the security money demanded by the company he was selected in. This time he was not in mood to disappoint his parents due to any silly mistake he had been doing all time his life.He has persuaded his friend Vijay to lend a hand of support at this time as after job he promised to pay him back every buck.

The security money was submitted and the offer letter for the job had been distributed to all the selected students. Holding the offer letter Karan started dreaming himself the happiest man on the earth. He shared this happiness to all his relatives and his parents who felt proud of him.Rohan came hurriedly and joined the group discussing over new career and new life.

Rohan looked sad his head down, he was not finding himself comfortable to mar the moments of happiness but it was urgent.

“I came to know that the company which selected us is the fake one.” He interrupted the discussion. “Have you gone insane? We got our offer letters haven’t you seen. Who fills this piece of shit on your ears?”  Karan retorted in complete disbelief.

“Sorry although I am not confirmed, but the TPO has been discussing about this with some students who told us.”

“This can’t be true. They are envious of our success that why they design such plans to disrupt our confidence.”

Amit approached Karan with today’s newspaper and read the article on the top of the first page.“Fraud IT firm exposed” and saying this Amit handed over the newspaper to Karan.For few moments, Karan looked frozen at the place he was standing.

After a pause he snapped “How can they allow such companies for interviews?”

“But the TPO says he never suggested any to go there for interview. This is out of college affair which college has no jurisdiction”

“Amit I still can’t believe how easily we have been cheated. We have visited their company website also.”

“Karan don’t you know only by visiting a company website how can you guarantee that the company is authentic. They have also removed that website from internet”

“We will file a case against them we will not sit back! “

“Complete nonsense! Have you any proofs?  All the members of the company are at large!” Responded Amit disappointedly.

Karan’s dreams are once again shattered and all his ambitions were pulverized. He wanted to improve the pathetic conditions his family was living. Luck was completely going against him. 

This shock was unbearable. He felt himself broken down and wept bitterly for his misfortune.

Chapter 2. The Motivator

Rishi’s family was insisting from him to visit his father’s friend colonel uncle who was posted in Delhi Cant. He always made excuses saying that he did not find time. “Such a boring creature he is, sometimes say do this and sometimes do that all sucks” said Rishi frowning.   

 Amit had a different opinion “You should not disappoint your family. If they are insisting then go and meet him”

“But he will eat you like a roasted chicken. I can’t stand his boring lecture escapades and soaring complains” resisted Rishi.

“Our elders never guide us wrong. My mother has always shown me the correct path whenever I felt stumbling” explained Karan. 

“Then I would go but on certain conditions.” Rishi heaved a long sigh.

“What conditions?” Amit frowned looking at Rishi.

“You all have to come along with me” replied Rishi staring at Amit.

His father’s friend Retired Col. S. P. Singh was an ultimate disciplined military officer. He fought many wars and won many gallantry awards. All three except Dinesh who went to his office, came to Palam colony where his uncle had his government residence.

It was 10: 00 in the morning and colonel Singh was at his room busy writing something on a large slant desk. When Karan’s gaze threw on Colonel, his eyes crinkled in surprise. He was darker in color than him. But his dark face was radiating with supreme sense of confidence.

The aura on his face was sufficient to compel any fairest person to lower on his feet. They all touched his feet one by one to pay respect.Looking at them he smiled and then told them to wait until he is free.

After fifteen minutes he whirled and twisted the cap on the pen to close and put it aside. He shot up from his chair and walked to reach in front of them. He sat on the couch across the table in which the breakfast for all was laid.       

 The breakfast plates contained soaked food-grains and the glasses full with milk mixed with dry fruits.“How are you all guys?” asked Colonel in accented voice.   

Rishi snapped and said “Uncle we are fine.” Colonel Uncle raised his hand pointing at the breakfast “Just have, don’t shy. It’s for you”

“I am writing a book right now.” blurted uncle.

“On what topic uncle?” Rishi asked holding the glass of milk on his hand.

“The book is on Personal Improvement and Happiness.” colonel heaved a long breath. 

Chapter 3. The Interview

He should not have reacted in such a way. He

came here for getting job and he was going

astray. He thought he had a big challenge before

him and he was not taking things seriously.

The next problem before them was that they

were feeling disconnected from the entire world

busy in their daily chores.

Who would give them the information of the job openings and interviews? Newspapers generally

give information about the call center type jobs. The information about the job vacancies in big firms

mostly remain with limited no of peoples who stay in contact with these companies. So from where

they would get information as there were nearly no acquaintances in companies had become a big

problem.

They had decided to meet Rajesh to discuss on this matter as Rajesh could be the best

person to tell them the way-out. After reaching to Rajesh room, they sat over a mat on the floor as

usual. Amit started to break the ice “Rajesh what should we do to keep update ourselves about the

latest walk-ins and interviews?”

Rajesh turned his face to answer the group “I know a career consultant. He could help you getting

interview calls.”

“Could these interview calls help getting better jobs?” Krishna got a bit skeptical.

“Yes! But right now you have to improve your knowledge and give as much interview as possible to

bolster your confidence.” Rajesh blushed looking at Krishna.

The career consultants were mushrooming all over the city and charge exorbitant amount of money

for informing about the interviews. Students come here from all around for jobs and shell out money

to the brokers everywhere. All the three finally settled for getting registered with a broker and they

have noted down the mobile no of consultant from Rajesh.

After registration for few days they have not got a single call. After a week one day Krishna has

received a call for interview. A sweet lady voice of Human Resource Manager of the company

echoed at the other end over the phone informing the time and venue of interview. This came as a

big respite after a long wait.

The night before the interview was spent sleepless. At the early morning they were prepared and

after taking breakfast they left for the venue taking the local bus. Their hearts were pounding and

pulse racing fast as they reached the company building.

People coming in and out the company gate looked busy on their own. They went ahead and asked

the gatekeeper about the interview hall. The gatekeeper motioned them to enter inside and take lift

for third floor to HR Manager Room.

At the third floor before the HR Manager hall there were couches for peoples to wait for their turn.

Some persons were already sitting on the couches waiting for their turn to interview. After few

minutes of wait a peon came with plain cold water. Krishna quickly leaned forward and took the

glass of water, finished the whole glass in single gulp. Then Amit and Rishi also downed the water

into their throat to quench their thirst.

Worries writ large on all the three faces sitting on the couch and staring blankly at the door of HR

manager where already interview of some other candidate was going on. The patience was jumping

its bounds increasing the nervousness with each passing moment. After another ten minutes the bell

at the door rang and the peon standing next to the doorway rushed in.

The trio felt their hearts pounding terribly and stomachs started talking as the door flung open. The

peon turned back and asked for Amit.

“Who is Mr. Amit? You have to go inside for interview.” The peon summoned Amit. Amit stood

from his place, scooped up his documents and walked towards the door.

“Best of Luck Amit” echoed Rishi and Krishna simultaneously from behind.

Remembering his God in his mind he asked for the permission to get in. After permission being

granted he walked few steps before a large rounded table across which sit two smart frames with

eyes lowered on the papers put over the table. They were scrutinizing the resumes kept in front of

them. Amit came back from the hall face down staring at the ground. The fears of Krishna and Rishi

surfaced on their faces as they could see by anticipation the shock writ large on the face of Amit.

Krishna and Rishi didn't take long to sense that the chances of their selection in this company were

little.

“How was the interview Amit ?” asked Krishna. “Shit! I answered first three questions but the last

four were not coming to me.” Amit took his place on the couch and sat down. There was a wave of

trepidation sneaking through the bodies which both Krishna and Rishi were fighting back firmly.

Krishna was summoned next by the peon. Krishna shot up from his seat wiping the steaks of

perspiration rolling down from his forehead by his sleeve.

After stepping inside the hall, Krishna was shaking in fear his shirt soaked in perspiration. He

walked near the table and looked ahead. Like a ready-to-be-sacrificed goat Krishna was feeling

frozen for the first time in his life. He paid good morning to the Managers sitting across the table.

One sitting on left straightened his shoulders and threw his glare on him asking him for his

introduction.

He came out of the hall looking absent minded and collapsed on the couch like a tree fallen out of

violent wind. Both Amit and Rishi whirled around curiously to know the response. Now it was the

turn of Rishi to go inside the room. He started mumbling the verses of Hanuman Chalisha inside the

mind to steer clear the nervousness and walked ahead to face the challenge. He went straight inside

the room. When Rishi came outside both leapt towards him to know the response.

“This company does not deserve our talent they only recruit dumb wits.”

They all bolted upright all along from their places blaming the interviewers and the company for not

selecting them. They hired the taxi back to their house. At their room there was common consensus

but somewhere in their mind there was frustration. The failure was totally unexpected but they

have to somehow convincing themselves that they had faced their first interview.

All the three were trying to adjust with the fast life of metro. The people living here were more

advanced than the peoples living in Lucknow. To overcome the stress they have decided to go to

watch a movie and do some shopping. The schedule for the next day was fixed for shopping and

movie at The East End Plaza.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.08.2014

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To my beloved Son Arav