423. The Expansion Project

The plan for a massive expansion of Sasi Industries was being implemented at a rigorous pace.

The project report for the expansion was prepared by a renowned consultancy firm and the project was being implemented by a high level technical committee comprising senior Engineers of Sasi Industries.

The construction of factory buildings required for the expansion had been completed. Orders had been placed for the machinery. The machines began to arrive and were being installed. The installation of the machines was expected to be completed in a few weeks, after which the factory would be ready to commence production.

Sasisekar, the Managing Director of the company, summoned the Chief Engineer Samuel to his cabin.

"I know we are at the final stage of our project. But a suggestion has come for a small modification in the machinery layout. This modification is expected to make the production line more fine-tuned. I think we should examine this proposal" said Sasisekar.

"Definitely, sir. May I know whose suggestion is this?" asked Samuel.

"Definitely not mine!" said Sasisekar, smiling. He then outlined the proposal.

"I will discuss this proposal with my team, sir!" said Samuel.

The next day, Samuel came to meet Sasisekar. "Sir, Our team had a detailed discussion of this proposal. Our conclusion is that it will not work out. We believe that the present layout is the best."

"Ok" said Sasisekar.

After two days, Sasisekar called Samuel again.

"Mr. Samuel! I asked our consultants about the suggestion I had discussed with you two days back. They feel that it is an excellent suggestion. They say it will provide a definite advantage. In fact, they told me that they felt bad that they had not thought of this! The consultants will prepare a new layout incorporating this suggestion and send it to us in a few days. Wait till then, before proceeding further" said Sasisekar.

"Sorry, sir!" said Samuel, feeling embarrassed.

"There is no need for you to apologize to me. You should apologize to our machine operator Kumaraswamy!"

"What do you mean, sir?" asked Samuel, perplexed.

"Yes. It was Kumaraswamy who gave this suggestion. He had tried to give this suggestion to one of the engineers in your team. But the Engineer didn't even pay heed to the suggestion. So, Kumaraswamy reluctantly came to me and outlined his suggestion to me. It was after this that I asked you to consider this. Perhaps, if I had told you that it was my suggestion, your team could have accepted this suggestion" said Sasisekar, smiling.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 43
Wisdom

Verse 423 (in Tamil):

epporuL yAr yAr vAyk kEtpinum apporuL

meypporuL kANbadhu aRivu.

Meaning:

If we hear some matter from someone, wisdom lies in getting at the truth of the matter, irrespective of how the matter sounds and from whom we have heard the matter

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thozhiRchAlai virivAkkam' by the same author.)

Verse 424
Verse 422