Anecdotes & memories of a sales guy

  I wish to recall memories of some of my dealers who were completely different and unique. In the pharmaceutical field, usually 3 tiers of dealers operate - state level Distributors, district level wholesalers called Stockists and finally retailers who dispense medicines to the patient. I am talking now about 3 such Stockists. P.Venkatapati Raju (P.V.Raju & Co): He was my stockist in Guntur in the 70's and early 80's. He was a highly educated man....a B.Com, B.L.,MBA. He was an upright person who never bribed anyone in drugs department and sales tax department. It is a record of sorts in those days. He used to keep his shop open between 8am-12pm & 3pm-7pm. No matter who (even the high and mighty officials of big MNCs) visited his shop, not for a minute after the closing times will he keep the shop doors open for anyone. In those days computers weren't there but his stock ledgers were always kept upto the minute to tally with the stocks on the shelf. He was a joy t...

A story has been in circulation in social media about a purported interview to select 3 physicists by Nobel Laureate Prof.C.V.Raman after his retirement when he wished to open a Research Institute in Bangalore. The day after the interview was over, a candidate who just failed to make the grade was waiting to meet him during his morning walk in the park. When questioned by Sir C V Raman, the candidate revealed how he was reimbursed ₹7 more than his claim towards attending the interview the previous day. He visited the Research Centre Office in the previous evening and attempted to return the excess money paid to him. Because the accounts had closed, they could not take back the amount and hence asked him to enjoy. Since it is not right for him to accept the money which did not belong to him, he wanted to give it back to Prof. Raman. Pleased with the honesty of the person, Prof. asked the young man to meet him the next day at 10.30 am. When he met next day, the Nobel Laureate told the yo...