Unique Jobs at TATA Motors

We do some unique jobs at TATA. One is cleaning of storm drains. These pictures show boys digging the silt, leaves, and trash out of the storm drains. We will have 8 full time people per day devoted to this job. We also will have 7 people full time sweeping 15 Kilometers of roads with hand brooms all day long 6 days/ week. Pictured but not of our crew is the weed patrol boys. They don't spray, they pull by hand.

Thanksgiving - I almost missed it

I thank God for all of you that are looking at this. I am also very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to experience this amazing place. Although I did not eat turkey, watch football, and spend time with family, I am giving thanks. I do get lonely, and I really miss my family, toys, and my way of life at home. I do not miss the weather in Nebraska right now. I am grateful for the nice weather here in India. I'm thankful that so many people have me in their prayers, and that you all are concerned about me when you hear of trouble over here. This continues to be an amazing experience, and I am even starting to enjoy Indian food. I have had a good "working" thanksgiving. I hope that all of you had a good one as well. I look forward to a bit of a break at Christmas when Nickie and Josh come to visit. I'm making some big plans for that time. I'm thankful that they are able to come and experience a part of this adventure.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL

Training the Boys & Designing the plan

The reason we are in Lucknow, is to "re-start" TATA using the operating procedures and cleaning processes designed by ServiceMaster. We have been given a conference room to use to re-design the cleaning schedules and re-write the overall program. We are also heavily involved in training the boys on new products and processes. Prakash and Rajesh are taking the lead in designing the cleaning program, and Clement is conducting the training.

Cleaning In India

Here are some random pics of cleaning and cleaning materials used in India. Much of the stuff they use is primitive and cheep. The floor mop for example is a large towel wrapped around a dry mop frame. It is used past the point of being black, and then wearing out. We intend to upgrade to wet mops.

TATA Motors Bus/Truck Manufacturing Facility

This is our big contract. We have 106 boys here, it is about 2 million sq. ft. and it is located on a 400 acre property with it's own test track, parking areas, medical facility, pond, etc. Hope you enjoy the pics. The last picture is of a pit under the Chasis assembly line that our boys clean each night. They have to seperate the stuff, steel, rubber, plastic, etc.

The Sites of Lucknow

I am staying in Lucknow and working at TATA Motors manufacturing facility. Lucknow seems like it is like the wild west of India. The people seem to be more "hardened" and "rough". They drive more aggressively than in Bangalore, and there is a lot more dust and dirt blowing around. I took some pics of the bicycle rickshaws, and squatter apartments. It seems that these flats were built by the government years ago for government employees that passed them on to others, before they died. These new folks live here, and the govt. can't get them out. The govt stopped doing any repairs, and the places are deteriorating. The occupants pay no rent.....

NOT IN MUMBAI (BOMBAY) THANK GOD

I appreciate every body's concern. I'm glad to say that I made it out of Mumbai (which is the new name for Bombay) before the terrorism started. For that I am very grateful.

The Airport Blues

Today has been a very memorable airport day. I was suppose to get up at 4:00 AM to catch a ride at 5:00 to be at the airport by 6:00 for a 7:00 flight on Air India. At 3:50 AM I received a call from Air India informing me that the flight would be delayed for 1 hour. OK, I sleep more. Got to the airport to find that the flight has been canceled. Nobody seems to know what to do. I finally get told that they will re-book me on an 8:30 flight, but the computers are down, and 20 airline employees can't figure out for an hour how to actually write a boarding pass. I eventually fly from Bangalore to Mumbai and miss my connecting flight to Lucknow by about 40 minutes. No problem, Air India has a flight going to New Delhi, and from there to Lucknow, and instead of being in Lucknow for lunch, I'll be there by dinner. Once we board the flight for New Delhi, I watch a complete movie on the tarmac, the plane doesn't move for 1.5 hrs. I missed the Air India connection to Lucknow. Once in New Delhi, I report to the "customer service counter", and they offer me a complete refund. I take it, go to another terminal, and book a new flight from New Delhi to Lucknow on Kingfisher Airlines. From the call at 3:50 AM I finally got to Lucknow at about 8:15 PM. Didn't get much business done today, but had the cultural experience of crowds, pushing, and working my way around unfamiliar places. I'm grateful that it's over for a while.

I Hope Ron Detweiler is Watching

I wonder what it will take to expand our Union Bank portfolio of business to include the Indian Branches. It's pretty big here. This advertisement was in the Mumbai Airport.

Bangalore Biker Ladies

Here is a picture of the two ladies that work in our office that have identical "Scooty's". They ride them to work every day. Manjistha(on the left) got hers first, and Kalpitha's mother bought her one a month later, and it just happened to be the exact same one. I believe they are made by Honda and they are called Scooty.

Manjistha is going on vacation tomorrow. She is riding a train for 2 1/2 days to the eastern corner of India on the border of Bangladesh to see her mom and dad. She is very happy since she has not been home in 1 1/2 years. She is an only child, and the journey is very exciting to her. She could not stop smiling today at work. Life here is so vary interesting. It is very tough, and the people are extremely well adapted and accepting. The trip that Manjistha is taking will definitely not be a pleasure ride, and she is overjoyed to have the opportunity.

Work and Play at the Pad

This place has a gym and a pool room. It also has a cafe where free breakfast is served each morning. This morning I worked out, and had breakfast. I didn't take pics in the restaurant because there were families eating and I didn't feel it would be appropriate.

Buildings, and Balconies

The Building shots are the general exterior of the building. It's big, and located next door to a school. It reminds me of Thailand because when you are out on the patio in the morning drinking coffee you can hear the kids singing, chanting, playing and yelling to each other. It's pretty cool. I have also heard monkeys, but I couldn't see them this morning. I'll keep you posted. Since My girls, Nickie and Kim are my faithful readers they will hear any news first.

Thanks Ladies!!

POSH LIVING with Patios & Pools

Here are more pics of the many decks and views from my pad. Remember that you can enlarge the pic simply by clicking on it.

Your Room when YOU come for a visit

Here are pics of the two "extra" bedrooms, and one of the two "extra" bathrooms. My room and one of the other rooms has "on suite" restrooms. The place also has three verandas, and tow of them are "pool view". When you're ready for a 30 hour trip and some real Indian food, "com' on down" I got plenty of space. I'll post some pics of the grounds, pool, etc. in a couple of days. Stay tuned...

My New spacious Pad in Bangalore

Here are some pics of my new apartment. First, what I see from bed, the bedroom that I use, the dining room, the living room, and the kitchen.

Took time for R&R back in the U.S.A.

Got home about 2:00 am Sunday Nov. 9Th, left for India Monday November 17Th. Did a lot, saw a lot of people, and was very busy the entire week. Managed to get a short motorcycle ride in, and played in the garage a little repairing my suitcase. Check out the handle that I made to replace the one the airline broke off. I cant fault them, the suitcase was about 80 lbs. I took home souvenir outfits for the girls in the family, and we managed to have some quality time together. Hope you enjoy the pics. I'm back to the grind, and things are good here. We've added a few staff, and are poised to take India by storm.