CORPORATE ka king kaun? Piku Mhatre. The phonetic similarity is, of course, just a coincidence, but this rhyme rings deep. Because like the beloved Bollywood gangster, Piku inspires respect and fear. At the age of 26, heading the Human Resource department of a global consulting firm, WeWin, he’s already become a legend in the recruiting industry.
On many days, he’s fired a few employees—sorry, resources—before they’ve even contemplated their breakfast options. Actually, not fired, he hates that word, let gone. That’s what he’s best at, and most known for, downsizing. He’s also famous for his ‘corporate literary’ writing—his long emails have spawned their own fan base on job portals—culminating in a splash on the literary shores. A prestigious publishing house, Walrus, recently gave him a seven-figure advance for his collection of essays (tentatively titled Killing with Kindness).
Like many corporate professionals, Piku has an opinion on everything, including—and especially on—topics outside his core domain. “You guys write such crap,” he once told me at an industry event. “You call yourself the editor of The Awesome Times—the best newspaper in the country—but it’s impossible to read your reporters’ copies. Real Writing, you see ...” He pauses. “Well, scratch that, why don’t you come to my office someday? I’ll teach you a thing or two.”
Denne historien er fra November 11, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra November 11, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
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The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
CrĂšme de la CrĂšme
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. Itâs high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.