Au revoir Govind!
“where are you Ishan?”
These were generally the first few words from the phone that showed “Govind CMO Airtel…calling”.
First Impressions!
Early 2013 - I remember that cold winter day at Airtel. Sriram, the, then CEO of Airtel Money asked me to give a presentation to Govindarajan Parthasarathy on the mCommerce business, who had just joined Airtel Marketing after an illustrious stint at Unilever. The 1 hour slot had 25 mins of my spiel, followed by 60 mins of his questions — right from product, business, strategy, and marketing — I was never quizzed with so much vivacity and rigor for most of my jobs.
The first impressions that he left me with — mind blowing grasp, very high IQ, scary sharp, little patience for stupidity and no tolerance for bullshit.
Infectious Energy and Zeal!
Govind took up the dual hat of CEO Airtel Money, in addition to CMO Airtel, and day 1 asked me if I could prepare something for him to read “over the weekend” (as he would generally do). As a ghost writer for the CEO, I had plenty to compile and wash my hands off it. With half a mind of moving on from Airtel, I drove to work on Monday, to find his message, “can we meet 8:30”. After his 1 hour high intensity meeting with Gopal, Srini and AMB (airtel management board, as we called it) he came back to his desk at 9:45 AM (he never liked sitting in his designated office) all pumped with energy, and found me waiting with 4 others, who were also promised the same slot ;)
“This is mind blowing Ishan!” — and I was privileged to get his next 15 mins; where I not only saw a spark of passion in his eyes, but the grit for effectuating a revolution.
Govind’s passion and energy was infectious. Our 7 PM discussions (after his Airtel CMO job) usually started at 9:00PM and finished well past midnight, with no signs of stress or fatigue on Govind’s face; knowing well, he would be back at 8 AM.
These sessions often included some coveted breaks — which were generally limited to corridor walks (possibly Govind’s only form of workout during his busy days & nights) and when possible, grabbing a few bites, on the food brought in plenty by other colleagues (in anticipation of being shared by Govind & his gang).
I must admit, in that 1 year, I never felt burnt out, but only charged up for the next day and to solve a new challenge. I had almost started picturing Govind as the ‘Energiser’ bunny who would relentlessly be on, with his clear mission & unshaken commitment.
An ocean of knowledge…
Most people who worked with him, knew how thorough he was with everything he did. And amazing was his breadth of knowledge — right from the emerging businesses in India to Princess Diana’s death conspiracy theories, or to the political unrest in Iran. His erudition and expanse of know how on such array of subjects, was staggeringly impressive and often scary — if you hadn’t prepared yourself for a conversation. I don’t remember sparking off any discussion on a topic, that he didn’t know about.
As a voracious reader, his Amazon cart always had no less than 2 dozen books. If you asked Govind what he would do on the weekend — his answer would unquestionably be, “read a book”. The next would be “do up my house” (his home visitors would know what a chic, class of taste he had).
Perfectionism personified
Govind worked not just with brimming passion, but with utmost perfection. I remember, after a long discussion with Anand (the then CPO Airtel) at 11:30 PM, he sat with me and Anshul for a presentation we had prepared for Gopal. At 2AM and a lot of changes, when we were sure we were done, we left office to come back at 8AM. Next morning, Govind was right there, the deck was almost re-done and we deludely cudn’t figure out when and how the “perestroika” happened. His presentation and story telling was immaculate and his articulation, brilliant.
But in all this, what stood out was the perfection and that eye for detail. Greater still was his innate nature of getting his hands dirty and not just
“ordering his troupe” to do it.
A great teacher
Heard a lot of people say “he taught us marketing”, and with great science to it. Govind was phenomenal; he would suddenly get up in between reviews and start drawing on the board, on how we should refine our thinking about a problem. His session on “CG / TG” in marketing is right in front of my eyes.
May be what made him so thorough, was his marvellous note taking skills. Within a week, he filled up a few notebooks (writing faster than people spoke — with a wonderful handwriting), and with learnings & insights; mind you -every notebook was also hand - indexed. If we ourselves forgot something we told him in the past, we would sheepishly ask him for that evidence of truth!
Govind would be ready to go over anything again, if you didn’t get the concept right; although after taking a bit of a jibe at you ;)
I still remember the “chota credit” product and “comfortably numb” segment that he created for Airtel. The man was full of meaningful examples and anecdotes. His 16 years stint at Unilever had a vast array of experiential learnings and wisdom; several stories from Ponds, Lifebuoy and Fair & Lovely that revolutionised this industry.
In between his briefings, he would open up an incredible chapter from his past and we would all listen in awe, completely mesmerised and fascinated with the way he drew inferences from those! It is one thing to read great books, but to extract the essence of it and apply it in a situation impromptu – was mastermind Govind!
Hallmark Govind — A class of his own
Govind would etch his mark on everything — he was a genius, a prodigy, a polymath! Right from his notebook, to the way he organised his bag, gave you one clear feeling — organised and classy.
But his class was much beyond all this. Not many people know about his slightly unfortunate & premature exit from FreeCharge; minus the details, he pretty much took nothing for himself; but ensured all his employees were either secure or had decent severance. The point is — he didn't announce it; didnt make a propaganda of his personal sacrifice or his magnanimity for his employees. He didn't give anyone a whiff of it, he just did it; that was Govind!
He had some tremendous opportunities at all times, which he kicked away for his passion. Even at his last venture at Cuemath, he was determined to make it a success till his last day— true to his mission.
Govind’s class was also his integrity & brutal honesty, which sometimes hurt, but never lied or failed. If he was bored between meetings, he comfortably took a power nap in public, while people smirked all around.
Always said what he genuinely believed in — undaunted and fearless!
With him I understood what integrity really meant – doing the right thing, esp when no one is watching!
Above all, a gem of a human being & a generous soul
He could change the temper in the room with his monumental acumen and his lucid expression. He would leave people in splits of laughter with his witty jokes and sometimes incomprehensible sarcasm. And he could explain philosophy, science or finance even to the uninitiated. But he did this with charisma and…utmost humility.
What he did for people – (and more importantly) for those who did not matter or wouldn’t matter in the future – is worth a salute! He may sometimes rub some on the wrong side, but he had the prowess of apologising, even to the naive.
To me, Govind was in the truest spirit, a friend - philosopher - guide; age-aside, a father figure and my greatest confidant. His untimely demise already feels a void and is an irreparable loss; but the lives of those he touched - his tenacity, his zeal, his brilliance, his principles and above all his perseverance, in being true to his mission — will be a guiding light for me and many.
Miss you terribly Govind; and wish the phone rang again! :(
From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust.
You’ll rise again, in this I’ll trust.
You’re in our hearts, ‘till the end.
We will meet again, depart my friend.
You may be gone, but I know you’re near.
In my heart, I hold you dear.
My only hope, in peace you’ll rest.
I still miss you, I bet you guessed.
I’ll see you soon, it’s a must.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…!
