Page 56 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

14. The big boyz had their way

T he officer in charge of our Foreign Exchange Department got

transferred after a period of five years. He wanted to be
relieved urgently. There was no trained substitute available in
the whole Zone. The Chief Manager asked for any volunteer
who would be interested in getting on the job training in Foreign
Exchange Department in addition to routine work and to finally take over
as Head of that Department. I was the only volunteer. The Chief Manager
decided to depute me in his place to get on-the-job training for two hours
daily from the current incumbent in addition to my normal routine, to
finally take charge.

I started working in that department in the second half of the day in
addition to my normal work. Within 2 months, I was quite confident to
take over as also confirmed by my mentor. It was decided to relieve that
officer by the following week end. I was happy to get the exposure that
could help me in getting an overseas posting also.

Before the Head of the Forex Department could be relieved and I could
take over, my Chief Manager called me on one day and introduced me
to a smart young man, a Probationary Officer of my batch sitting in front
of him in his chamber. He told me, "Mr. N would hold charge of Foreign
Exchange Department with immediate effect and you should go with him
to the Foreign Exchange department and introduce him to the current
in-charge." He also told me to meet him after this.

I was very much disappointed with this sudden development and
returned to the Chief Manager. I looked at him with disappointment. He

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