An instance in my childhood still inspires me even though I did not well realise the impact of this event in my life at that point of time. My father was working as an accountant in a small proprietary firm. His job was book keeping, taking care of statutory matters like ESI, Sales Tax and liasion with the Company's Bankers etc. This firm was owned by an individual who was working in a PSU called TEXTOOL and he was supplying Brass bushes to anotherPSU NLC in Tami Nadu. the Firm had a couple of Engineers to look after the shopfloor one of whom was the Brother of the owner. My father used to take up interest in the matters concerning shopfloor as well. This was not liked by those in charge of the affairs in the shopfloor. One day, the proprietor informed the need to despatch a certain quantity of bushes to NLC the following day failing which the order would be lost. this was informed to all in the firm and they were geared up to meet this challenge. Unfortunately a protest bandh was called the following day when all industrial establishments were expected to close down shutters. This troubled the owner who was assured that the consignment will go next day come what may. The assurance was given by my father and it was taken with a pinch of salt. The Shop Floor Managers were not willing to take risk and escaped. My Father took upon himself this challenge, spoke to a couple of workmen who agreed to work on the day of the Bandh. The doors were shut for the outsider and work was going on inside the plant with only my Father sitting in the office. Late in the evening, some trouble erupted. A group of men gathered outside the firm and started shouting slogans. The Security said that only the office Accountant, Iyer is inside attending to some pending work., They wanted him before them. My father dutifully presented himself before the crowd. He confessed he had to order for work to complete an impending schedule and some one from the crowd started pelting stones. It crashed the glass windows and my father had his teeth broken. But he managed to retreat and shut down the shop instantly not before ensuring that the consignment indeed left for booking.

this news spread and there were inquisitive visitors to my house to know about the health of my father. My father did not bother much about the injury but was proud that he could fufill his commitment. One of the Engineers who absented himself on that day found fault with my father for having dared to keep the shop open during a bandh. My Mother scolded my father as he had risked his life. We too were frightened and found fault with him. But my father would have none of it. He said duty was above everything else. the owner later on commented that he could just do anything if he had iyer by his side. This was a sterling show of leadership by a small time accountant with a sense of devotion to his firm and his duty. Some of his qualities if not all I have been fortunate to imbibe .

PS: Some days later, he found the man who pelted stone at him lying unconscious fully drunk and hit by a vehicle. He helped him get admitted to a nearby hospital and also gave him his Dhoti- the blue ones usually worn by him when he goes to Sabarimala.