Do not underestimate fellow colleague of even a short time

 1 May 2022

Many years ago, I was travelling by air to Surat, an Indian city in the Gujarat state. The aircraft was small, with carrying capacity of about 40, and meant to fly low unlike the normal ones that fly as high as 35000 ft above the sea level and at the speed of 600-700 km per hr. This aircraft would take about two hr for a journey of about 1000 km. As Surat city known for its textile and jewellery especially diamonds, air journey was limited with few sorties each day by the airlines, primarily by Indian Airlines. My final destination was a town of Navsari which serves as headquarter of the Navsari Agricultural University in the South Gujarat.

Normally, a journey is often spent by most air travellers either listening to their smartphone or working on laptops or reading newspapers or watching aimlessly outside the window if they are sitting in those seats. Rarely, air travellers speak to fellow sitting next to them, let alone acknowledge even presence. This is contrast to what we see in rail journeys.

So, I was in for a surprise as my fellow passenger started a talk. He was a businessman dealing in precious stones, diamonds etc. He talked about his business and as to how very influential people attended the marriage ceremony of his son or cousin’s son. I kept listening or occasionally feigning to listen to him. He offered to show me his factory. I thought it might just be a small workshop. Another thought was that, as soon as we arrive in Surat, this gentleman, Govindbhai Dholakia (of Hari Krishna Diamond Exports ltd) will go his way, and me on my way to Navsari. But soon after we arrived, he offered me to take to his factory. I was surprised that it was by no means a small factory. They had binocular microscopes and precision balances by dozens and every consignment was valued as it passed from one desk to another, each one adding value either by polishing or cutting the right cuts. Govindbhai showed me some final products as well as other facilities. Later, I bid him a good-bye as I moved on.

It was an eye-opening enriching experience to see the diamond factory for the first time in life. It also meant that the fellow sitting next to you could be any one of importance and influence. Say at least hello, hi or smile before hiding behind the newspapers or smart devices. You may end up with some new experiences.

         PS: 

        Many months later, his firm was in news for having gifted flats, cars etc to its

        loyal employees on the occasion of festival of lights, Dipawali, that Hindus           celebrate and start their traditional new financial year

                 

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