"Mr. Partibhan! As the manager of your department, you were expected to manage your department efficiently and responsibly, not to abuse your position to make money in an illegal and immoral way" said Gajendran.
"Sir! I committed a wrong. But this will be my first and last wrongdoing. I did not commit any violation of our company's rules. I didn't seek any bribe from the contractor. The contractor offered me the money on his own, saying, 'This is a normal practice. I have made such payments to your predecessors also. But I won't expect any concession from you, in return for this payment.' In spite of my refusing to accept the payment, he thrust the envelope containing cash into my palm and went away" said Partbhan.
"Whether you asked for money from the contractor, or, he gave you the money without your asking for it, it is a bribe. Having committed the offence of taking money from the contractor, you claim that you have not violated any rule! I have cancelled the contract given to that contractor. Now, I should punish you. The normal course should be to file a complaint against you with the police and send you to jail."
"Sir! Please don't do this. I have never committed any wrongdoing in the past. Please forgive me for this transgression and give me a chance" pleaded Partibhan.
"If people who commit wrongs could be allowed to go scot free, why do we have a system of awarding punishments? I should at least suspend you for a few days. For the next two days, just remain in your seat, without doing any work. You will receive an order" said Gajendran, in a strict tone.
Partibhan was about to say something, but restrained himself and left the General Manager's cabin.
The next day, Partibhan received an office order signed by the General Manager stating that he was transferred to the Madurai branch.
The transfer order came as a relief to Partibhan, who was expecting to receive an order of suspension.
He realized that his being demoted as a manager and posted as an officer in Madurai branch, where he would be working under the manager of that branch, was a punishment awarded to him.
However, he also realized that he was spared from severe actions like getting suspended or being subjected to police action, only due to the compassion shown by the General Manager.
He tried to meet Gajendran, thank him and take leave of him, before leaving for Madurai, but Gajendran refused to give him an audience.
"The GM is busy. You can't meet him now. He asked you to join at our Madurai branch immediately" said the General Manager's peon.
Bhupathy, the manager of Madurai branch of the company, received a phone call from Gajendran. The two had been working in the company for long and had been good friends too, though Gajendran held a higher position in the organization.
"Tell me, Gajendran" said Bhupathy.
"I have transferred Partibhan to your branch. He was a manager here. He is a good person, but committed a wrong, due to a momentary indiscretion. So, he has been demoted. But, I want you to give him a responsible assignment and keep you in a position next to you in your branch. I expect that he will act with responsibility, without giving room for any misdemeanour on his part. I want him to take over from you as the manager of your branch, when you retire next year - of course, only if he conducts himself well and you recommend him for the position!" said Gajendran.
nIngAmai vENdubavar.
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