Page 144 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

Graduation qualification in any stream whereas I was a Postgraduate and
considered suitable and selected as PO by the bank. Later that was proved
right and I got promoted last time. Even this time, I had cleared a written
test for the overseas posting and have been invited for this interview."
This was the main question asked by the Government Director. He also
asked me what was the chemical formulae of Glucose that I could not
figure out correctly and expressed my inability to remember correctly at
that time, more than a decade after doing MSc.

The Director nominated by RBI on bank's Board of Directors, was more
thorough with questions on banking. He asked so many questions on
issues ranging from deregulation, globalization, the then prevailing
economic scenario, options with the Central Government to handle the
Foreign Exchange crisis then faced by the country etc. It is pertinent to
mention here that the then Government had to pledge and physically
transport gold to UK for raising Foreign Exchange to continue imports and
also for overall economic growth.

The last question was from the Chairman again. He said that he was very
upset with the attitude of officers who refused to be transferred from
their home town to any other city and gave several excuses like wife
working, children education at crucial stage and parents being old and
unwell, etc. etc. The same officers apply for overseas posting and if
selected, join there readily. Then he asked why I should be posted
overseas?

I thought I should be straight forward to dispel their myths. I responded,
"Mine is a different case altogether. I have never refused a transfer that
has happened five times in 13 years already. I have already worked in
Metropolitan, Urban, Semi Urban and even Rural Branch as well as an
Administrative office (Zonal Office). I have genuine desire to have
exposure of working at our overseas centre also." I tried to be very honest
with them and further added, "I would not hide from you, sir, that there

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