Zafco-Malli S.A Summits - Made in Chennai

July 4, 2011, Rain Tree Hotel, Anna Salai, CHENNAI
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July 4: As US was in its midst of Independece day celebrations.. I didn't know that the same day would also be significant date in my life.. it's not 1776 though

6:30pm
I gave a call to Mr. Gopi Raj, CEO Zafco(www.zafco.com) and told him "Sir, I am here at the reception, Rain Tree Hotel. We had an appointment as 6:30pm". He said "Malli, Please wait; I am coming down in 2mts."

I sat down on one of the couches, took out my dairy and began to look at the details of the South America Adventure that I had been researching and planning about. I didn't notice him walking out of the lift and coming towards me. As he walked close to me I felt his foot steps and lifted my head.. and we greeted each other and exchanged formal wishes.

So, you are loooking for the sponsorship for the flight tickets for your South America Adventure. how much is it..?
Malli: close to 15,000$.
Mr.Gopiraj: What's the toal requirement for execution of your S.America Adventure?
Malli: About 75,000$ for 6 months and all countries.

Mr.Gopiraj: What's your expectation?
Malli: I blurted.. and said slowly.. I have the need for entire sponsorship.. I don't know how much do you want to sponsor..

Mr.Gopiraj: Is it okay if we sponsor all of this? and you carry our flags to all these summits and take picture on the summit.. We would like to spread the message of "Care for Nature/Environment" as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. That's my interest to involve with this.

Malli: I answered it as though he asked me, Did you eat your breakfast.. "Yes." and slowly I began to explain that .. in that case you can have all the exclusivity of the event..

I guess, my initial nonchalant reaction was due to the bad incident I had with Samsung in Delhi in sept 2008.. I was in the office of Samsung in Sep 2008; It was the day before Bomb blasts in Delhi CP and other places.. .. The head of Samsung, Delhi made lot of promises etc..

I forgot this incident and continued living life..

I wanted not to feel the disappointed in case this association will not happen same as Samsung. But here our discussion was very much unlike the one I had at Samsung..

Slowly, I began to ask Mr. Gopiraj.. what will be our next steps if we had decided on the sponsorship support and you are sure that you want to support it.-
I offered that I will be more than happy to have the exclusive association of the event with Zafco.. to take summit pics with company logo, flag....
How to spread the message - Care for Environment and fight to curb Global warming.. I expressed my interest about spreading the message - Health focus..

What Next ?

Go for the Visas.. This required booking of flight.. where I need the money to be transfered immediately..I know that it's going to be a tough job getting visas with Indian Passport.
But, I began to see the reality and happening of "South America Summits"..

And then He asked me what do you want to do next? I guess I was too smug.. and asked myself what do I do? I didn't know that my spons hassles are going to be taken away so quickly..

I shared in low voice that.. I think I will go home for now.. or may be i will think of how to prepare . or may be will research more about mountains..

I remembered the words of "Dubai based Chennai friends".. who assured me while in Dubai that ..Malli, Don't worry.. this will happen..
I extended my heart felt thanks to Mr. Hanumanth Kumar, (partener MCA, Dubai) who introduced me to Mr. Hari Gopal, Ernest & Young - who introduced me to Mr. Gopiraj (Zafco) for doing Motivational Talk for their Employees.

Mr. Hanumanth: introduced me to his friend Mr. Hari Gopal. Mr. Natraj (AlRostamani group), and lot of his friends and companies.. who assured me that - "we will raise the contributions among our friends and see that you will achieve this... "

I allowed myself to drift into the past few months and all the people and incidents that led to this stage..

It was approximately in mid Oct 2010.. and I was in Moshi, Tanzania that I for Kilimanjaro climb... that I received a mail from Prof. Anindya Sen.. which said Malli will you be free in Nov.. can you come to the campus? we would want you to share your experiences and achievements with our - 1st International IIM C batch (from Dubai).. we will pay for your travel expenses.

I replied.. yes. I will be more than happy to see you all and campus. . I will call you when I am in India. and then got busy for preparing to go for Kilimanajaro climb.

- .. more in next post