Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Almost four decades ago, I was working for a large Indian company that was trying to secure a technical collaboration with a Japanese company. The chairman and senior officers would often travel to that hallowed land and there were return delegations too, which some of us lesser mortals also got to meet. I can never forget one particular meeting.
There were four Japanese and about ten of us. During the initial introductions, we were told that only one of the Japanese 8212; Horimoto San 8212; understood and spoke English. Negotiations went on almost all day. The Japanese would not budge from the 1 m figure quoted for technology transfer. In typical Japanese fashion, they went into great detail explaining every aspect of the package. We wouldn8217;t move from 500,000.
We were aghast. It was only then that it dawned upon us that at least one more in their group followed English. He had heard and understood every word of what we had resolved to do during Horimoto San8217;s absence.
Another hilarious incident involving language was narrated by a friend, when he was a student. A few young Indian friends were spending an evening at a popular beer parlour. Suddenly they noticed a very beautiful young girl sitting alone at the next table. Immediately the conversation changed. Now they began to talk only about her. Each one discussed how they would approach her. All through the animated conversation, the girl 8212; who was within earshot 8212; gave no indication of having heard anything. She concentrated on her beer, paid her bill and got up to leave. As she passed their table, she stopped for a moment and asked 8212; in chaste Hindi 8212; which one of the studs at the table was planning to take her out on a date!
