The real dude

This one is for my so called distant brother and mentor in life. I hope he doesn’t mind me posting this before he does on his blog but I had to do this. He has recently notched up a job with US AID in India as their Executive Director based in Bangalore. If you didn’t read carefully the Executive Director of US AID. The application asked for a master’s degree and 12- 15 years of experience!! Not to mention the big pay package.

Something interesting, an excerpt from a conversation with a client when I was in Mumbai.

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Me – Sir I would like to meet you and discuss some initiatives we have taken forward in AIESEC

Client – ok, when? I’m really busy till Friday.

Me – Anytime would be fine for me sir, how about Saturday then ?

Client – err, lemme check. (After few seconds) Aalekh, even on Saturday I’m busy

Me – (reaching the point of desperation, I had been trying to meet this guy form the past month. I had to do something here and meet him within this week; otherwise my project would go for a toss.) Sir do you remember Aakash Sethi ? Tall white guy, he met you in 2002? I’m his brother, am working for the same position which he was. He was remembering you the other day.

Client – Ohhhhhh! So you are Aakash Sethis brother!!! Come come, you can come anytime on Saturday. I actually wanted to see the match that’s why I had kept the day free, but no problem we can watch it together. How is Aakash ? Where is he working ? Are you his real brother ?

Me – errr, no sir I’m a distant cousin of his but very closely related. He’s doing well. Woking with Ambuja cement currently.

Apart from spending 3 hours with me the guy also treated me to lunch, no wonder from the next time Aakash was “reminded of” to everyone I met, whom he had met earlier as my brother!! And the response was always very encouraging.

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So you can understand why he deserves the post which he has been selected for.

He epitomized the “senti” LCP during his term. He was the connoisseur in giving speeches and making others cry. Once when asked in an LCong what does he think of AIESEC. He said “AIESEC is like a naked women in front of you, full of opportunities but it’s up to you to use it”. Though that didn’t motivate anyone present to a great extent, but it went down in history as one of the best metaphors I’ve heard for AIESEC ever.

Congrats dude. Bangalore is waiting!! (Just please get me the superman t-shirt form NY, this post is just to butter you up for that as you know I can do anything for superman stuff, if possible also throw in a cap, watch, poster etc…)