While playing golf yesterday, my wife and I passed an alligator basking in the sun on the 12th fairway.  I took a photograph of it from about 20 feet.  We had been warned not to get too close to any alligator as they can run faster than a human being.  Since we were in a golf cart, we did feel quite safe, but kept our distance.

South Florida’s water system connects every man made canal and lake and, as such, alligators can appear in most parts of the state.  I remember a warning of an alligator sighting in our community late last year, but it didn’t cause any disruption in our lives.

I sent the photograph to a number of friends and family members and my grand daughter, whom I call Sunshine, wrote back “Dada, how cool!!”.

In my last Post, I had concluded that I had reached a stage when it was time to look at other choices for my future.

Accordingly, my wife and I spent quite a number of days and weeks deciding what we wanted for our and the children’s future.  Reluctantly, we came to the conclusion that as far as my own career was concerned, I had reached a ceiling.  With the change in the culture in Delhi, the post of Chief Executive in Air-India under the present regime, would be a politically appointed one and which would require a life of Ji Hazoori and sycophancy; something which my conscience and self respect would not allow.  

Would I like to move to the Private Sector?  I threw out some feelers but senior Management openings were very few, except in the Tata Group of companies, where Mr. JRD Tata had indicated that he could find me a suitable position.  The other option was to move overseas and find a country which would enable our children to get a good education and then, opportunities.

Only two countries fit the bill; the U.K. and the USA.  Language would not be a barrier and hard work would be rewarded.  

Hence, I called my old friend Adli Dajani of Gulf Air and said “Adli, I am ready to move”.  He responded by offering me a senior position in his airline which I declined stating that one major condition was to move to an English speaking country with excellent education facilities.  If he could find me an opening in the U.K. or the USA, I would be very grateful.  If not, I would stay in India and move to the private sector.

A week later, Adli came back and stated that he had spoken with his colleagues in the Arab airlines ; two of whom would be delighted to talk with me.  He suggested that I do not waste any time and if I agreed, he would set up appointments with the CEOs of Alia, Jordanian Airline and Kuwait Airways.  I agreed and he came back with dates which were quite acceptable.  Accordingly, I took a week off from work and embarked upon a change of life, as I had known almost 24 years.

My wife and I left for Amman and met with Ali Gandhour whose desire, as I have written before, to operate services to India I had resisted.  He was very gracious and offered me the post of General Manager - USA & Canada, but the terms, though attractive, presented some problems.  Two items of the “package” did not appeal to me:

1. I would be placed on the payroll of the Jordanian Consulate to the U.N. While this would give me a tax free salary, it would deny me Social Security benefits as there would be no contribution from the employer.
2. Such an appointment would also deny me access to a Green Card.

I thanked Mr. Gandhour for his offer and stated that I would take it into consideration.

We then left for Kuwait where we were met on arrival by my old friend Fahed Al-Wazzan, the Commercial Director of KU.  Fahed had served as Manager - India for KU and he reminded me of the time I had kept him waiting for almost an hour before meeting him in my office at Narriman Point.  We had dinner in town at which time, Fahed told me that at my meeting the next morning with Ahmed Mishari, the GM of KU, I should ask for the post of Regional Manager - North America.

I met Mr. Mishari the next day and he started the discussion by stating that while KU would be happy to post me in New York, the job he had in mind was that of Commercial Adviser.  Living in New York would entail considerable travel as my responsibilities would be worldwide and he enquired if I would agree to that condition.  In addition, he wanted me to spend the first 6 months or so in Kuwait to learn about the airline in depth.

I agreed to both conditions and he said that he would be happy to send me an offer in writing within a week.  On parting, he gave me a gold Cartier wrist watch which I gave to my younger son only last year.  It was hardly worn and lay in the safe deposit box for most of the past 35 years.

Manju and I left the next day for Geneva and from there to New York, where I met with an Immigration Lawyer to discuss the road map to get a Green card.

On our return to Bombay, I did receive a letter from KU offering me the post of Commercial Adviser at a fairly high tax free salary with suitable housing in Kuwait and thereafter, in New York.  It was a very attractive offer and after consulting my older brother, I sent back a letter of acceptance.

The same day, I called Mr. JRD Tata’s Secretary and asked for an appointment.  Mr. Tata was no longer our Chairman, but he was member of the AI Board and my mentor.  His Secretary stated that Mr. Tata was extremely busy that day, but he would get back to me.  He called a few minutes later asking me to come to Bombay House at 4:00pm and would I like tea or coffee?

My meeting with Mr. Tata will always remain quite fresh in my mind and if I might indulge, I would like to take the liberty of reproducing some of the talk that we had.

He started by mentioning that he had learnt that I was quite unhappy and I informed him that this was the very purpose of my request to meet with him.  Because his time was precious, I briefly mentioned the various demands and interference from New Delhi which the CMD was determined to push through.  While he was aware of the issue of the 4 747s, he was taken aback by the other items that I mentioned, particularly the serving of wines and sale of liquor and perfumes.

I concluded my litany of problems by stating that I could no longer carry on in my assignment and that I had come to inform him that I was leaving Air-India.  To my surprise, Mr. Tata said that he knew this would come to pass having seen both Nari Dastur and KG Appusamy leave in the last couple of years.

He was deeply saddened that the old guard would no longer be there and he would miss his conversations with the top people that he had seen grow up in the airline.  I told him that I was leaving with a very heavy heart.

He said something to the effect - Inder, you have given more to Air-India than you have received and you go with my blessings.  

He then asked me of my future plans and I told him that I would be taking up employment with a foreign airline at which point, he reminded me of his offer to find a suitable opening in one of the Tata group of companies.  I thanked him but stated that I was now looking towards our sons’ future and the opportunities overseas appeared most attractive.

Mr. Tata bid me farewell and in parting said - If you need to use me as a reference, please do not hesitate.  I have enjoyed working with you and wish you every success in your future endeavors.

I left Bombay House and went back to my office and then called Mr. Raghu Raj and asked if I could see him at his residence that evening on a private matter.  He agreed and I went up 3 floors from our apartment around 7:00pm.

My meeting with him did not last very long and at the end, I got the distinct impression that he appeared quite relieved that I would no longer be a thorn in his side.  He asked me of my future plans and I vaguely told him that nothing had been firmed up but that I needed to now seriously look at other opportunities.  I left after telling him that my letter would be on his desk the next morning.