Ablaze in a Blizzard

With in few days of isolation at Antarctica all the members of 5 th winter team realised that they are under different type of Leadership. Ganesan started inter acting with the team individually and collectivlly, both on official and personal matter. The wintering members are given 6 mts per month on inter national sattellitte communication net work to talk to their families. Those members who had direct telephone facilities had used this. some members contacted their friends and neighbours ant through them they spoke to their families. After a telephone conversion with their family members like wife and children the members morale used to be high and they even shared their family news with other members. Ganesan kept on observing these and maintained a confidential file on all members. The team had cook Mr.Singh from the Indian Navy. He was the youngest in the team and a bachelore. He had no telephone connection to his family members. It was about 3-4 months of wintering. Ganesan was discussing with Mr.Singh about his family and why he did not speak to his family members. An interesting story opened. He was native of Chamb-Jaurian an remote village in Indo -Pak border near Jammu. In the 1971 Indo-Pak war Chamb-Jaurian was bombed heavily by Pakisthan and the area was captured by them. Even after the cease fire Pakisthan did not return that area to India. All those indians from that area came as refugees and Govt had allotted lands to them near Samba. Now Mr.Singh's parents are living in that small village near Samba. So he did not bother to make any arrangements for telephone conversation. He is very happy at Antarctica and hence did not worry about his family.

After this interview, Ganesan thought for a while. Even though Singh is young and not worried about his parents After some time of loneliness and while others talk about their family etc a depression may creep in to Singh. He being a cook this may affect his interest in his work. So Ganesan took his parents address. He being an Army officer had served in Samba area and also thoruoghly aware of the 1971 war and the massacre of Chamb-Jaurian by Pakisthan's tanks. He contacted his friends in Delhi and through them came to know another close friend serving at Jammu. He got his appointment details and contacted him requesting for a help. That friend was thrilled to hear Ganesan's voice and that too from Antarctica. Ganesan gave him Singh's parents address and requested him to locate them. If they are located then on a particular date and time the complete family members must be in Jammu near the telephone on which Ganesan is now contacting them. The Jammu friend promised Ganesan to do the needfull immediately and Ganesan would contact again to confirm these things. So Ganesan contacted Jammu friend in the evening and was very happy to know that things have moved as expected and that Sing's parents would be there at 10.00 oclock in the morning next day.

The 15 member team with col Ganesan at top.

Next day at 10.00 AM according to India timing Ganesan called Mr.Singh to the radio room and told him to speak to some friend on telephone. Ganesan contacted Jammu and his friend gave the phone to Singh's father. He was speaking in punjabi. Ganesan gave the phone to Singh. The moment contact was established there was great outburst of happiness at Antarctica as well as at Jammu. All Mr.Singh's family members had come to Jammu. His father, mother, brothers, sisters and others. Singh spoke for 23 mts on that day in the international Sattellitte communication . After the call ended Singh came out of the radio room in emotional tears and fell on Ganesan's feet. He just could not control his happiness and it was un believable for him. Ganesan consoled Singh and told him that he is under different leader and as days passed the 5 th winter team may witness many such things. Leadership and management are two different aspects. Leadership is of the spirit; its practice is an art. while management is of mind; its practice is a science.Managers are necessary; but Leaders are essential. The Indian 5 th winter team started realising Leadership.