Interview
Celebrating
25
years!
The first employee at Agappe to complete 25 years, Ms. Ambily C Nair. Here is snippets of an interview Team HR had with her as she celebrated this fantastic milestone. How did you come to know of the job opportunity in Agappe? I was born into a very ordinary family in Kozhenchery, Kerala where each member in the household had to earn to keep things move forward. This strong desire helped me dream bigger and better. As I completed my studies, my sister who then was already working in Mumbai advised me to come to Mumbai to seek job. I started my 3-day journey to Mumbai. My sister on her way in shared Rikshaw met with Thomas Sir and overheard the company’s requirement for a female candidate who have completed DMLT. My sister saw this as an opportunity and suggested me into this opening with the help of the Rikshaw driver. On 19th January I attended my first interview, Thomas Sir had asked me about the products I used in the laboratory I was working back in my hometown – I discussed of the colorimetry methods and mouth pipetting techniques I used, by then Agappe had grown to a company that used semi automated machines and technology. There was a lot to learn and explore I was quite excited. I was soon asked to join the very next week after getting to know of the big Mumbai city. How was it to work in the corporate in 1996? It was perhaps a new beginning in my life, I was living in a totally new city I didn’t know the places there, knew very few people – mostly Malayali’s and knew nothing of Hindi. A totally new beginning I was scared and excited at the same time. I am a bit proud as I say this, I was the first female employee in the production department, back then there were 3 male employee – a person from UP, a Maharashtrian and a Bihari who worked with me – they all had one thing in common that I did not, yes, they all knew Hindi and I didn’t know a word. Often when one of my co-workers asked me to take an INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 26
item – naming it in Hindi, I would carry at least three items looking into the situation as I did not know what they were asking me. It took me at least 6 months to get my broken Hindi ready. But I had very supportive coworkers who helped me with the new work, technology and even the language. Please tell us about your Career Path at Agappe? I joined with Agappe as a QC , I’ve evolved from an executive at QC to AGM QAQC. I have grown along with the company all these years. I have also been able to attend various training in the field where I’ve got opportunity to go abroad. How would you explain your 25 Year relationship with Agappe? Tell us about elements that stand out in this long relationship. Well, there is a lot of emotions attached to it. Perhaps, it was the Need factor in the beginning that made me join Agappe in Mumbai away from my home and my comfort place. But as I examine, Agappe has given me plenty of chances to explore in my career. I was assigned with plenty of responsibilities and opportunities. Another important factor that excites me is the freedom to work in my own style. The company have trusted my work and facilitated to enhance my skills with lots of training. Yet another element is that I have always felt safe working here. The most important factor that makes me continue my relationship here at Agappe is that I love my job and I am very passionate about my job – for I serve the mankind helping in the process of right diagnosis. Ensuring quality products are released to the society. Today I’m being recognized in the society as an Agappean, my family respects me for my job and the passion that I have for it. I am proud that I chose Agappe and even more proud that I chose to stay here for 25 years. Looking forward to many more milestones.
