An Interview with Mr. Prabhakar S

He is an Electrical Engineer who did 35 Years of service in the Power Sector, especially Power Distribution and worked as a Director (Projects), MSEDCL. Prior he took over as a new Chief Engineer of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Commission Limited (MSEDCL), Pune division. He started his career as a Junior Engineer at Nashik division in 1989. He did BE Electrical from Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad. He likes Yoga and walking.

I come from Parbhani, one of the most backward areas from the State of Maharashtra. We were a poor joint family, from childhood I used to sleep on the lap of my illiterate grandmother, however she was knowing abundant mythological and ethnic stories. She used to tell me the stories from Ramayana, Mahabharat and other regular grandma stories. This actually led the foundation of ethical values.
My education started from class 5th. One of the schools had an inspection. They picked up non-school going boys, I was one of them. They used us as a dummy for showing a required attendance. They trained us as a dummy. During these days they found something in me and they just managed a dummy transfer certificate and admitted me directly in class 5th. Later done BE in 1981 and MBA-Finance.

There is a tough competition in both Private as well as the government jobs. They have a multilevel tough screening process. In this process they extract your actual knowledge level, attitude, confidence level, level of integrity and character. Hard work, knowledge and aptitude is the key to success.
Job scenario is continuously changing both in government as well as in the private sector. After the Corona epidemic there will be drastic changes in the job scenario. Fittest will survive in the changing scenario. Success lies in Knowledge, Hard work, innovation and creativity.

Fast money-making fad comes from habit of wrong lifestyle, inspired by movies and movie stars. Focus of youngsters is shifted from learning to racer bikes, smart phones, friends, tie day, rose day and so on. Classrooms are empty and coffee shops are houseful. Students need to focus on learning and adopt “simple living and high thinking”. Ratan Tata, Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murthy, Sindhutai Sapkal, Bill Gates, Stev Jobs should be your real heroes.

Officials, politicians, corporates etc are making very good use of social media in fulfilment of their political goals. Youngsters are not really making good use of social media for achieving their career goals. They are performing certain activities so as to post pictures on social media. For example, they are risking their life for taking selfies at dangerous locations. There are multiple educational videos on social media, they can make knowledge groups and have meaningful chat.

All the HR policies need to have “Human factor” in it. You may induct zero delay and zero pendency in Employee claims. Training should be continuous activity and must cover all the employees in a defined period. Develop a feedback system which must include direct feedback. You also need to develop your own sources of feedback.

Education is a continuous process, you need to continuously upgrade your knowledge, acquire new skills in your profession. You must have some hobbies such as singing, painting, trek, etc. Daily exercise and meditation for not less than one hour is a must. You must learn, ‘Time Management’ to find time for your family and hobbies without sacrificing your official responsibility.
a) For youngsters: Read autobiographies of successful personalities, literature, books written by prominent authors. You will definitely find your role model in some of these books. Knowledge from these books will form your own way of thinking, ethical values and principles to be strictly followed in life. Be humble, companionate, loving, caring, respect your parents and elders. Whenever in doubt ask your “conscience”, remember ‘conscience is the presence of god in man’s mind.’
b) For parents: Your actions should not differ from what you teach them. children learn from your actions. If you shout at them and abuse them, one day you will get it in return. If people respect each other, children will respect them, on the other hand if you quarrel in their presence, consider you lost them. If you respect your old age person and take good care of them, you will get the same from your children.

At the end, how much money and property you have is not important. You must earn following three things in life;
1. Minimum one Real Friend, with whom you can share all the secrets of your life, share all your emotions without hesitation and download all the stress you have. He helps you in crucial decision making in your life. If you have an additional opposite gender friend it will be advantageous.
2. One shoulder where you can rest your head and shed tears.
3. A house, other than your own house, where you can enter at any time without hesitation.
These three supports will be helpful in your stressful days and you will never feel depressed. Don't expect anything from others, don’t be a taker but be a giver. Think what more you can give to your family, friends, society and the organization you work for. Donate some part of your earnings to the needy poor.
At the end, if your natural behaviour is honest, compassionate, humble and follow ethical values with good moral character and work hard with full devotion, you will always be happy and successful in life. If you do not have any of the above, read more books and autobiographies.