10 years...

Today is 2/5/11.


Exactly 10 years ago, a tall, thin boy, all of 21, boarded a bus in Aundh, Pune and began a journey.


The waiting in a queue to get into that bus, the orderly way of sitting in the bus, wearing a tie etc was all too intimidating for him. But even though he was nervous, he was enjoying the moment. He soaked himself in that experience and within a few days, he knew that he belonged there.


Every day, week, month and year that he spent there, of the 5 long years that he did, he learnt something new. Some bad experiences, some good ones and a few memorable ones.


His sis got married from the savings of his first overseas tour. He got married to someone whom he met there. He made friends of a lifetime there and got a solid platform to build a good future for himself.


The man who walked out of the office after putting down his papers, was a much confident and a polished version of the boy who stepped into that bus. It might be ironical that on his first day at work and the last day at work, he was wearing a sky blue shirt and a cream trouser - a good indication that not much had changed on the exterior, although a lot had changed in the mind and the body.


Today, 10 years later, a lot has changed, although nothing really seems to have changed. A lot of water has flown under the bridge that I once camped on for 5 long years. The bridge is not that attractive to others, but it is still very charming for me.


It is still one of the most revered companies in India. When I joined, there were around 9000 employees, today it has 126000 employees. So, it may not be as employee friendly as it was 10 years ago. Employees may not be as proud to carry that badge, as I was on the day.


But I know one thing for sure - I might be out of Infosys, Infosys will never be out of me. What that company taught me, will never be forgotten. What I got from that company, I can never squander.


Thank you so much for everything.

3 comments:

RK said...

Really nice. Wonder what I would feel after finishing ten years!! :-)

RS said...

Wow! A decade - should I say congrats? :-) And yes. What I learnt from Infosys - I cant squander too - A company I would love to go back to.

Sharath said...

10 years!!! Thats a long time buddy.
I can co-relate to your feelings completely because thats that way I feel about Accenture, my first company. Whatever little professionalism I boast of today is because of Accenture. It still holds me in good stead and has helped me slowly but steadily move up the corporate ladder.

And congrats on completing a decade of service. Wish you all the best for the next one.