social service

1. 23 / My Social service
Whenever we hear the word ‘social service’, our mind instantly thinks of a political leader,
Corporator, MLA, MP etc. Current political situation and the condition of our democracy
have taught the lesson namely ‘one cannot render social service without such
designation.’
In fact, there is a close relationship between ‘retirement’ and ‘social service’. Retirement
means freedom from service & occupation/profession and right to have relaxed life style.
However there is hidden thought in the word ‘retirement’. It is the freedom from
occupational career for rendering social service. It is the opportunity to repay the debt of
the society.
You are the centre point of the society and hence social service should take off from
yourself. One should do their own chores and become self sufficient. Thereafter to help
family members may be considered as the first step towards social service. I had digested
this concept of ‘social service’ since my childhood due to the circumstances,
experiencing Life’s realities etc. and I have continued this habit till date.
I grew up by doing various jobs such as cleaning the school class room, assisting friends
with their studies, doing petty jobs for neighbours, keeping the surrounding clean,
gardening, looking after the medication of my father, assisting mother in household chores
etc.
I completed higher education and took a senior level job in the industry. Here again
I continued my habit of rendering ‘social service’. I am sure that you may not digest this
statement. You may ridicule me for the philosophy because I was drawing a fat salary. You
are right and I do not wish to dispute your counter argument. Yes, I was drawing a fat
salary but then I was carrying out my work sincerely, honestly without expecting any
extra fringe benefits of the post (I guess you will understand this) for the benefit of the
organization and without considering the mood / inclination of higher ups. This is very
difficult and better still if you take close look at your self. I held jobs in three companies
over 10 years and switched over to profession in 1985.

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It is unfortunate that many Professionals have converted their ‘professional practice’ as
‘business’ and are busy recovering the value of their signature acquired due to
professional qualification. I did the Audits for the benefit of the organization without
considering what is convenient for the office bearers. There was every chance of losing
the client by doing this. But I have still done this tight rope walk since 1985. I doubt
whether every one can visualize my efforts in doing this.
I also acted as an ‘Insurance Surveyor’ for over 18 years. The Insured would get the
insurance claim based on my remarks in survey report. Even then I never misused my
position. Policy holder hardly understood this approach. Today everybody and
everything is for sale (Professionals are no exception). In this back drop it was difficult for
them to understand that I was not for ‘sale’. Incidentally, let me enlighten you that there
are two other types of Insurance surveyors. One category would certify inflated figure of
loss for a ‘price.’ The other category would threaten the policy holder that he would certify
the lower loss and would demand a price. Due to my sincere approach, I enjoyed respect
with Insurance companies. Many a times I was given the assignment of reviewing the
reports of other surveyors.
Along with my profession, I also acted as paper examiner of various professional bodies
such as ICAI, ICSI, IIB and ICWA etc. since 1976. I hardly earned Rs.4/- per answer paper.
You would need atleast 20 minutes per paper for checking. In addition I had to spent time
for collecting and sending back answer papers. You will realize that I was obviously not
doing this assignment for earning money. My bill also would get settled after 4-5 months.
Inspite of these hard facts, I did this noble job for about 20 years obviously due to the
intention of social service. I thought that somebody has done the similar job when
I completed my professional education and various diplomas. Now it is my turn to repay
the debt. I had to do this job on holidays and during night on other days. The job too had a
deadline. Many times I have checked the answer sheets in the train. I nearly saw death
once while doing this job. Refer my Article My Death Experiences.
I also did audits of housing societies devoting my leisure time on Sunday as I was busy on
other days with audit of banks, companies etc. Audit fee scale was Rs.210/-for yearly

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Audit. In fact this petty amount would get spent on conveyance or offering tea /snacks to
office bearers. Even a junior CA was not willing to carry such audits. Due to this attitude,
Audit would be pending for years together. By doing audit of such societies, I was
relieving tension of the office bearers of the society. Even today I meet many such office
bearers and they inform that now once again the Audit is pending for few years. I did such
society Audits for 15 years. I made many friends and well wishers. It is a satisfying
experience that People still remember my sincere service. A great thought to cherish in
my retirement days. Office bearers would feel awkward to give a petty Cheque of Rs.210/-
knowing fully well that I am carrying out audits of banks and companies and earning
handsome audit fee.
I studied Astrology in 1987 (2 years after I entered the Profession) and offered the suitable
advice to near ones and that too without charging any fee. After few years I had to
discontinue this due to preoccupation with my profession. After retirement, I am studying
the complex subject of Medical Astrology.
During 1998, I studied Alternate Medicines such as Acupressure, Magnet Therapy,
Naturopathy, Vitamin therapy, interpretation of pathology reports etc. with one of the
leading doctor in south Mumbai. There after I purchased number books of related subjects.
My study is still on. I have spent handsome amount for this hobby. Since 1998, I started
medical counseling for my relatives and neighbours on honorary basis. I have reserved one
day in week for this activity. Many senior citizens from the housing society where I live
take the advantage of my service. I also check BP and keep records. Young generation also
call upon me to discuss personal problems which can not be discussed/ shared with their
parents. I really enjoy this job. In fact all my patients also eagerly wait for this day which
gives them the opportunity to share their mind. Satisfaction seen on their face gives me
more strength to excel. Today senior citizens are neglected in their homes. Nobody has
time to talk to them. Checking BP is just a formality. I give them the opportunity to spend
time in my company, discuss their problems etc. They like my company.
Many years I acted as faculty member in staff Training College of few co-operative banks.
I took specific efforts for personality development of the participants. I made extensive

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Training notes and training manuals. I also gave special training to bank officers for
giving lectures on various subjects. These Bank officers were also inducted as faculty
members for imparting training. This step boosted their confidence in their day to day
work. I was very proud and happy for their success.
I took retirement from profession in 2011. In fact, I was retiring every year since 1995 by
saying good bye to one or the other client. I hosted my website ‘www.spandane.com’ in
May 2008 to share my vast professional experience, my various hobbies such as astrology,
medical, graphology, body language, photography, writing articles on life philosophy etc.
I am more than happy with the response of over 10,00,000 hits till date. The website was
updated every quarter with new Articles. I must have spent over Rs.75,000/- for this
hobby. I did not even mention my name on the website with the intention that my
introduction should be reflected in the contents of the website. However, I deactivated the
website few years back.
I am regular donor since 1975. I suffered a major accident in 1996. I recovered
compensation from Insurance Company and before the compensation cheque got cleared,
I donated 10 % of the compensation. I also encourage students securing good marks. I also
donated in case of natural calamity. In 1975, out of my initial salary of Rs.1250/-pm,
I donated Rs.1000/- to the Talegaon hospital where my father took treatment for TB in 1952
& 1957. I also assisted my colleagues and neighbours in case of their financial need.
I can get along with any age group forgetting my age, designation, education etc. I can
have heart to heart dialogue on an equality complex. I educate small kids of various games
played in my childhood. I have respect and soft corner for every service provider. I even
chit chat with auto rickshaw/ taxi driver, bus conductor etc. I specifically introduce my self
to all staff members of the client including subordinate staff. This helps me in getting the
records in time for audit. Sub-staff feel happy because nobody talks to them with dignity.
You end up getting confidential information about the office which is helpful in carrying
out the Audit. The word Audit has been derived from the Latin word ‘audire’ which
means to hear. I get to listen more due to my open approach with equality complex.

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I can not resist from mentioning one incident. Once, the union had issued the order of
‘work to rule’. But to my surprise, union secretary called up the office to inform that the
said rule is for the management and complete co-operation should be given to me. This
was possible because of good inter personnel relationship developed by me over the
years.
Friends, this is all about My Social Service carried simultaneously with my occupational
career and thereafter.
What is your experience of Social Service?