Rudrapur musings

In the next four years, Prakash Dindorkar would have to hang up his boots, thus ending his 30 plus years of Bajaj Auto linkages. Perhaps. He may be asked to continue given his rich experience in managing the two & three-wheeler giant's plants across the country.

I ran into him at Rudrapur during a recent visit to participate in Credence Logistics' 20th anniversary celebrations. Short and he was in a casual T-shirt and normal pair of pants. Unless you've met him in person or seen his photos, you would tend to ignore him. Very low profile.

Speaking about logistical issues at his Rudrapur plant which he is managing right from Day One - three years ago - he passingly mentioned that he does not have a "pucca" stores or inventory space for finished vehicles. Or, put it differently, his storage/inventory time is just 30 minutes.

In simple terms, it meant that no two-wheeler that trundles out of his assembly line stays inside the premises beyond 30 minutes. It was a bombshell for me.

Bajaj Auto plant churns out 4000 two-wheelers daily from two-shifts. 100,000 vehicles per month or a million-plus every year.

Over cocktail-cum-dinner, I introduced myself and told him that I would like to return to Rudrapur to witness his "magic" at his plant. He was gracious enough to extend an invitation.

We worked out visit plans over email and remained "speechless" till I landed up 10 days later at his doorstep.

It was a "Wow" feeling or "Aha" moment to see the Bajaj Auto plant even from the gate where the private taxi dropped me.

The security chaps knew of my impending arrival and the entry was smooth. Right from the moment, I entered Rudrapur I kept Dindorkar informed of my route plan through SMSes on his mobile.

Honestly I was feeling hungry and could not spare time to meet this crucial physical demand. I was led into the first floor reception hall where visitors are received. While climbing the stairs, I noticed the expansive dining hall which was almost empty except for a single gent. I could not recognise him.

I sat transfixed in the reception lobby. There was no sign of any receptionist but saw a lot of white T-shirted Bajaj Auto-logo-ed employees sauntering around. Approached one young employee and told my intent. He asked me to wait.

In the next few minutes, I was approached by another BJ employee with the message that Dindorkar"saab" has invited me for "lunch". Wow! Another "Aha" moment!

I quietly glided down the staircase and entered the spick and span dining hall. The only gent whom I had noticed engrossed in eating was none other than Dindorkar.

He too was in his white T-shirt with a Bajaj Auto logo. We exchanged greetings and sat down to complete the main business of "eating".

He requested me to complete my meal and come up and till then he wished to attend to some official work.

While I was refuelling myself for the hectic day or evening ahead, my roving eyes noticed the vast expanse of Bajaj Auto complex. Glass fronted. Manicured lawns. Huge pond. "Photography prohibited" signboard. Head-covered canteen staff. Gym and sports room across the dining hall. Lot of heavy vehicle movement on the road outside which I could watch fromt he dining hall. Reminded me Peenya Industrial Estate that I had visited near Bangalore almost 30 years ago. Or the crowded streets and bylanes of Okhal Industrial Estate in Delhi where I had come from.

When I had landed in Rudrapur less than an hour ago, there was a heavy downpour and roads were dirty and waterlogged. A roadside dhabawalla guided me to take a cycle rickshaw to the next chowk from where I can hop onto a tempo to reach Sector 10 of Rudrapur industrial cluster. I signalled the first available cycle rickshaw and managed to squeeze myself into it.

Try to ride in a c.r. with its hood unfurled next time. YOu wll know what I am saying. He dropped me at the designated chowk and saw a huge line of tempos with workers squeezed like sardines. Was it not like the Bombay local train ride from Virar to Churchgate that I had traversed 20 years ago?

I was in two minds. To hop onto this rickety tempos and rub shouldes with the blue collar workers or do what? I am not class conscious. But my limbs were tired after 7 hour long journey from Delhi and I was famished. Do I have the energy to withstand the push and shove style of travelling in completing the last mile connectivity? I decided against the tempo ride.

Watching my reluctance, a turbanned youngster approached to check out what I wanted. When he understood my need, he offered to ride me to my destination for a "fee". Matter of factly, he said that I would be spending Rs.10 in the crowded tempo, but he would chage me "multiples".

Mind you, it was raining. Without batting an eyelid, I hopped onto his tempo - yes tempo with me as the sole occupant! He told that he is offering me a "private taxi" service! Smart chap.

When he quoted his fare in Hindi, I was clueless because I could not figure out what he said. That is, I did not understand what is his demand. En route, I called my spouse over phone in Delhi and uttered the Hindi number to her and asked her "what the hell it meant?" She laughed and said it meant Rs.165, but she was curious to know why do I want to know this number. Quickly I explained. Sixteen times more I will be paying this guy! Oof!

The ride was okay with rain lashing from both sides and I was seated in the middle of the wide bodied tempo. Suddenly my driver braked and saw a khaki-uniformed policeman hopping next to me for a short ride perhaps.

No requests made to me. The policeman tried to nudge me to the corner so that he can occupy the dry area where I sat. I was unmoved. He reconciled himself to sit on the wet seat, perhaps cursing me or his fate!

He hopped out just before entering the Rudrapur industrial estate. Many blue collar workers en route tried to wave the tempo down for a drive inside, but the driver drove non-stop.

It was a different world with globally renowned companies on both sides of the road: HP, Nestle, HCL, Tata Motors, etc. Containers and logistics company vehicles most visible in many compounds: either inbound or outbound.

Very few know about Rudrapur's industrial development. Many such clusters have come up in the state. Haridwar is no longer a pilgrimage centre, but a fast developing industrial hub as well.

Keep hearing about Rudrapur for more than 2 years, but never visited. Now I am here.

From a distance, I could notice the Bajaj Auto logo. I pulled out my wallet and prised money out for the ride.

The ride lasted not more than 15 minutes. My "chauffeur" waited till I reached the security gate. Then he waved and went away.

Ah.. here I am, I told myself. Should I declare that I am carrying a camera in my carry bag? Dindorkar specifically told me not to bring a photographer because it is prohibited. Yet, I was taking a risk of carrying a camera. I decided against declaring the "contraband".

A few yards down the path towards the glass-fronted edifice of Bajaj Auto corporate office, a security ran behind me and asked for my bag. Ohmigod! His CCTV or scanner got me red-handed!

"Sirji, I will carry your bag inside", he said politely.

I declined.Thanked silently and began to unfold my folded sleeves and button up for the crucial meet with Dindorkar.

What happened afterwards?

Well... one has to wait for the forthcoming issue of LOGISTICS TIMES to know the 30-minute magic weaved by the quiet Maharashtrian master.

Meanwhile, you can always visit http://www.logisticstimes.net/magazine.php to check out our previous issues.

And follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/logisticstimes

A lot of profiles of interesting personalities from the logistics and supply chain arena.

In depth stories on big names...

And more.