Pots of talent

Armed with a Masters in Economics from Mumbai, Neela worked initially with the Tata group before she moved onto the most important assignment of her career as joint secretary of FICCI from 1972 to 92.“It was here that I was transformed from being just a good economist to one with professional commitment. Before this, work was never success oriented and I did not really take myself seriously. But it was my boss D.H. Pai Panandikar, who believed that I had it in me to go places. He took it upon himself to beat me into shape. I was the only person who had joined FICCI on his recommendation. So he was doubly harsh with me and would even drive me to tears. But facing all the toughness was like a riyaz I did to emerge the individual and the professional I am today,” says the lady who has also received training in Japan and was invited by the Foreign and Commercial office of the United Kingdom to promote Indo-British Partnership.

“My most cherished achievement though remains the papers I prepared on FERA, Euro-currency markets, off-shore banking centres and others in the days when even the reference material was not available. When a part of my work was actually incorporated in the industry and FERA amendments, it was something to feel proud of,” she adds.

Having established her reputation it was not long before Neela received an offer from MCCIA, Pune in 1992 to join as secretary. Later in 1994 Khandge took over as general secretary, creating a history of sorts. Did her being a woman in anyway affect her work environment or relations with her colleagues?“People in Pune were amazed that a woman could take over the post. But within the chamber there was no gender bias. They gave me as tough a time they would have given a man and that felt good.” However Pune did prove to be a “cultural shock” to the lady used to the working climate of Delhi and Mumbai. “I found that Puneites were clear thinkers and intellectuals, but to my surprise, quite petty. I thought they would have a larger vision since I have always considered discussions and arguments as the very spirit of intellectualism. But the professional ethos here is very different”.

But Pune scores with Neela in many other areas – giving her the time to dabble in more creative pursuits like pottery. Having learnt the art from a local potter in New Delhi and followed by an encouraging response at some exhibitions, she decided to open `The Pottery Village’ in Baner, Pune. With a kiln and a workshop added to it, the outlet also became a place to impart training in making pottery. However Neela has just closed down the shop and has decided to wind up the classes too after the current batch is over. “I needed to give more time to the place to halt the pilferage and mismanagement there. The commercial aspect was gaining predominance over the creative part. So I decided to take a sabbatical from the business. In fact I have now decided to hone my skills. For the next one year I am going to learn pottery from a khandani potter and then hold an exhibition”.

In her pursuit for perfection Neela has also discovered that handling clay made her change for the better. “It has made me more tolerant and pleasant at work,” she smiles.

Admitting to doodling on a paper wherever possible – that includes seminars and long drawn conferences – Neela’s artistic streak is also visible in her well maintained garden and home adorned with pots and artefacts she made. So how does the lady manage everything? “Well my son is grown up now and my husband is in Delhi, so I do get time even after the demanding work schedule. But what really holds me in good stead is my time-management chart. I have this chart all written down and adhere to it scrupulously”.

With one leg in Delhi and another in Pune, Neela is a lady perpetually on the move.“I also have my husband to thank for all this. He was the one who pushed me to work. He would prefer a wife who makes use of her qualifications. He is very proud of my achievements – more than I am,” she laughs.

So it’s time to leave Neela Khandge to her work schedule and well organised lifestyle – be it as an economist or a potter.