Advising is in the Kesavan blood. As a family we are proud
of our heritage, proud of our culture, proud of our accomplishments. But, most
of all we are proud of the advice that we disperse (freely!).
Grandpa Kesavan used to fill me with stories of how people
benefitted from his advice and moved on to great things in life (I used to
listen with rapt attention!). Daddy Kesavan is the same (though he regrets that
his own son never took his ‘advice’ seriously). Sr Uncle Kesavan and Jr Uncle
Kesavan are also the same (and have the same regrets with the 3rd
gen!!!).
Grandpa Kesavan once ‘advised’ the Kuwait Investment
Authority to come out of their position in IBM. They made a cool $ 32 million
on the trade (back in the 80’s). Daddy Kesavan once ‘advised’ his friend’s son
who was home sick and wanted to leave Dubai to stay put and ‘fight it out’.
Now, that boy is doing very well and has even bought his parents a house.
Sr. Uncle Kesavan once ‘advised’ this young bright chap from
the village who was working in a pharmacy to apply for a position as a medical
rep. Now that same boy is in senior management with one of the pharma MNCs.
Jr Uncle Kesavan had this friend Vasu who was a cook for
Daddy Kesavan’s aunt. One fine day Dad’s cousin came home with some friends who
were planning to open a restaurant in Moscow. Vasu had to prepare the lunch.
And lo and behold when the ‘payasam‘(Kheer for North Indians) came out the
guests were blown away. They immediately offered him a job. Aunt was not too
happy so Vasu came to Jr Uncle Kesavan for ‘advice’. “Go for it man”- was the
response and so Vasu who’d never been out of his village moved to Moscow. He
came home a couple of years back and had this to say- “Jr Uncle Kesavan is God!”
It is natural for people to come to the Kesavans for advice.
I’ve had my own share too. I once had this friend who was stuck between 2
choices his father had given him. One was to do the Indian Economic Service
exams and the other was to go to UK for his Masters. Poor chap was confused. I
broke it down for him simply. “Blonde or Indian boyo? That’s the choice you got
to make!” He chose blonde and within 6 months he had his blonde babe!
The other interesting anecdote was this one time with a
friend. He had just got married and was about to go for his “Suhaag Raat”. And
he’d come to me for advice! The situation was made even more complicated as
there was no internet! I think we managed rather well between us. He now has a
kid!
Then there was this case recently of a 19 year old that came
to me asking for advice on “how to get popular with the ladies”. (Those who
know me please don’t laugh!!!) Some idiot had given him the idea that it was as
simple as going to a ‘dance-bar’ and “talking” to them. I corrected the poor
chap and explained to him what a dance-bar is and that his ‘friend’ was
probably referring to a ‘club’. This is still a work in progress and I shall
keep you posted.
Then again there was this case where these 2 girls were
acting in a play and they were clearly struggling. I came in. “We are not
getting this right”- I nodded my head. “We need to change this”- I nodded my
head. “We should do this”- I nodded my
head. They made the changes and were brilliant. “Oh Ajai- you’re such a great
actor, and such such big help. We can’t thank you enough!”(ps: Advising women
is easy- they will point their problems and come out with their own solutions. You
just need to nod your head and they’ll love you for it. )
So the next time you need advice you know who you should go
to!
