OG

My first ‘proper’ job was at Sage Publications. I joined them in October 2002, fresh out of JNU...armed with an M.A. Getting through Sage was tough, rightfully so, since it is one of the most well-known academic publishing houses in the world. There were a series of tests and finally the interview. I remember my first impression of Sage very well. Friendly. The people genuinely seemed to like each other and get along fabulously well. At the same time, Sage meant serious business. There were neatly stacked books on every available shelf, and book covers adorned the walls. I could see haloed names of celebrated authors, including some of my own teachers, peeping out.

The lady who interviewed me — the day was October 3, 2002 — wore a yellow sari, somewhat oversized glasses, and had the nicest smile. Later I learnt that she was the head of the editorial. Everyone called her OG, thanks to the Sage practice of using initials for every employee. The interview went well, and I was made an assistant editor at Sage. Life was perfect!

I was at Sage for only three months...my loss entirely. I quit because Rupa and Co. beckoned. And the lure of mainstream, trade publishing was hard to resist. I thought the books were going to be fun-ner and they were to a great extent, so no regrets there.

But my association with OG was to continue. In so many ways, she set the standard for what I consider perfect office behavior, and try as I might to emulate them, being OG will be impossible. First of all, she had all the answers. English grammar was her best friend, she knew what to do with it always. Secondly, OG always had time for all of us. Any one could just walk in to her cabin to clarify a doubt, to chat, to learn. There were several rungs of people between me and her, but I always went to her, with the silliest of doubts. If she was super busy she said so, if she was just merely busy she quickly looked up and answered. And the best part? She treated all of us with the same respect. No question was unimportant, no person insignificant.

Fast forward to 2004. I had applied for a job at Quark — makers of the bestselling software QuarkXPress — a tool used by nearly 75 percent of the publishing world. They wanted to speak to my references before finalizing the job. It was OG again. She obviously sold me well because I “got” Quark. A year and a half at Quark, and I was bored. Wanted to come back to hardcore publishing, so started looking around. Finally got an excellent job with an independent publisher. I will call them T. Everything got finalized, I quit Quark, came back to Delhi from Chandigarh, only to discover that T had executed an “abandon Sayantani” plan. So I was actually jobless. News reached Chandigarh, and I was kindly offered a job again. It meant going back to something I didn’t want to do, but beggars can’t be choosers. Two days before actually leaving for Chandigarh, I called OG. And she said, “I am no longer at Sage. I am at Routledge. Come and take a test.”

Today is July 7, 2006, and I am ten months old at Routledge. My boss is the original rock star, OG, once again.
And here are some of the reasons why she rocks!
1. She can edit anything with her eyes closed. Seriously.
2. There is a complete copy of the Chicago in her head (the Chicago Manual of Style is the Bible of editors all around the world.)
3. She is so well-read that she makes a lot of us look like kindergarteners.
4. She is the world’s most creative doodler. It is a joy sitting next to her during a seminar. She doodles feverishly, and with great passion, as if it is a dying art.
5. Her hardware/software doubts make me look like a tech guru.
6. She has over twenty years of hardcore publishing experience. I doubt whether there is anyone in the world of academic publishing who hasn’t heard her name. Also, of the various editors spread across publishing houses in India today, a huge majority must owe its training to OG.
7. Her cook makes the world’s best baigan ka bharta, palak paneer, and beans.
8. She has flawless taste when it comes to clothes, music (err), shoes, food, desserts, and people.
9. Her people skills are fabulous. She can make even the most cynical author eat out of her hands.
10. She is the most grounded and down to earth person ever.
11. There cannot be a finer example for the term “best boss”. Responsible, attentive, well-organized, patient, and a great teacher...OG is all this and more.
12. Most importantly, OG has the affection and tolerance to participate in conversations with me that start somewhat like this:
• I think I will marry Kailash Kher...no OG, no other singer will do, Kher it is.
• I want a tattoo...of a bird, no a horse, or how about a sun, or should it be a fish?
• May I not work today...instead may I Orkut? Or blog?
• I will bring up my first child as a Sardar because baby Sardars and their turbans are adorable
• I think I will have twin boys, and name them Babbu and Gosha.
• I have decided whom I love the most today.
• Why do we have authors? Why can’t we just write all our stuff ourselves? That way we don’t have to edit.
• Why can’t I toss dumb people from the window of this building? Alternately, send them to Siberia?
• I don’t think I love you at all anymore. How could you give me this book?
• How can you not like Shah Rukh Khan in DDLJ? What is wrong with you?
• You don’t like Indian Ocean! OG, that is seriously so not done.
• I am going out of town this weekend with friends. We will probably get back to Delhi at an unearthly time. My parents will kill me if I reach home that late. May I stay with you?

May I? Always?