This random story is dedicated to my friend HQ- Who silently observes this blog and spell checks it every once in a while when sober.... and who has the unique distinction of having seen Lion King 2.
The SME King
A long time ago there was a small kingdom called SMEland. It comprised of 10 people from all walks of life - who somehow for those overlapping years were stuck in the exact same moment. Life would have continued - ordinarly and boringly enought until one day - a passing Lufthanza flight brought an unexpected savior their way : HQ.
HQ seemed like the most non obvious leader for this group of hyperactive people. There was KB - who was more gifted with words, or KP who not only didnt not smoke, did not drink but also did not tell lies...(now where can you find someone like that these days ? ..except in Gujrat or Dallas Texas ?!!!) ..there were M and L who would have made anyone obey and made shopping a national sport, PH who had the gift of laughter, F.I. who was the most athletic of the lot and Riz who was like a greek god ..(but only in Bandra), JW who had a disco ball and BO who would have gotten all the "fairer" votes ..
HQ seemed like a ordinary guy - but then again ..so were Peter Parker and Clark Kent ..until they donned their costumes.
So on the night of his arrival - HQ tossed and turned and spent a sleepless 7 hours hunting for some smokes and developing his vision for the next 6 months. The next night at a local hangout called "Touch" ..where all the SME'S had gathered to celebrate a rare weekly occurence called "Ladies Night" .. over a glass of coca cola .. HQ decided that this was a group with untapped potential and would need to be controlled.
Over the next 6 months - HQ ruled SMEland. He made use of all his international contacts spanning Karachi to Dallas and even arranged for the Indian Cricket team to play against Australia, Pakistan and England back to back so that SMEland would witness great sport and celebration.
He used his title of "Head of Global Outsourcing" to secure discounts and free entires and great tables at all obscure restaurants in New Delhi. Old Delhi saw a boom in the pirated cd and odd sundry business - and last I heard - there were rumours to name an alley in Palika Bazaar after his good name.
HQ'S journey was not only adventurous but also educational.
He learnt to play a dhol and formed a band with FI. This two member band - played some almost archaic indian musical instruments and motivated a large international hospitality chain in vasant kunj to create sound proof rooms.
He also fulfilled his lifes greatest secret burning ambition - to hunt and fish and camp in the wild unknown frontier of the himalayas. The good people of SMEdom has tears in their eyes when they saw HQ's face light up while toasting marshmellows on the banks of the ganges that February.
He explored the local supply chain for several in demand hard ti find goods in SMEland and created a distribution hub out of his room.
He also learnt to ride a rickshaw with 5 other people much to the envy of the entire SME population.
His travels span every corner of SMEland from the temples of Jaipur to the Taj of Agra to the sandy beaches of Goa.
He spent Christmas eve working with JW on a secret "SME" project that was rumored to be an alternate energy generating process that was easily affordable and replicable.
Never to say no to the unknown - HQ also bravely stepped into the spotlight to be beamed to a nether world when asked to display his mettle in Goa.
Along the way - HQ also won the heart of the "Princess" and created a new defination for "Love at second and third sight"
When time came for HQ to leave - there was not a single dry eye in SMEland. All the SMElings felt that rare and pure emotion that Morgan Freeman felt when Tim Robbins broke out of Shawshank. That some birds were ust not meant to be caged and they left their ex worlds drabber and greyier than when they first inhabited them.
Its been 3 years since then - but everyone whose life was fortunate enough to criss cross at that juncture in life - still swears by the advetures of HQ - a modern day Robin Hood - the messiah of the batch folks, the savior of the setup ppl, the charmer, the negotiator, the kind hearted King of SMEland.
