Sharad Shah, Founder at CarvanTrips is a zealous disciple of No Sir No Madam ideology.  CarvanTrips helps people explore a side of India and the world that most travelogues miss to cover.

He is a chartered accountant (CA) and has earned his CPA charter from the United States of America.  Sharad has worked at a CA firm and was the senior consultant at one of the biggest financial MNC’s.  Being a travel enthusiast, it was inevitable for him to quit his corporate job and set up CarvanTrips.

Sharad believes in a barrier-free culture for any organization to thrive.  As a result, he has implemented first-name culture in his office too.  He opines, No Sir No Madam helps in enabling employees to communicate with each other much more freely.  People can approach anyone, which in turn improves the efficiency.  The world is moving towards a flat-level organization.  It makes sense to adopt the first-name habit, as it has proven to be beneficial.

In an organization, even though there are different designations provided to people.  Everyone’s role and contribution are vital for the smooth functioning of a company.  Hence, it is important that everyone is respected equally, irrespective of their denomination.  Practicing ‘Sir/Madam’ order only boosts the ego of certain individuals.  Such ego trip is harmful to the organization and the individual himself, Sharad moots.

He is blessed that he never had to adhere to any formal greeting.  Even when he was working at Ernst & Young, he had not addressed his seniors with a salutation.  Private companies have started to support first-name tradition.  Been possible because the top-level managers have understood the perks of a salutation free culture.  He emphasizes, executives realize that barrier ridden communication aids in achieving a common goal.

While working as a CA, he remembers he had to interact with government officials from time to time.  Sharad articulates — I have noticed bureaucrats strictly following ‘Sir/Madam’ edict.  Office-bearers impose such mandates on civilians and on the people working under them.  I used to be in a state of conflict with myself, as I could not risk offending such functionaries. I had to fight against my personal belief in order to, not to jeopardize someone else’s work.

‘Sir/Madam’ dictum is a matter of concern in public sector as people have no other option.  A person working in private sector has the option of changing his company, if he is not happy with the environment.  Whereas, a civil-servant has no such option.  Therefore, public sector employees continue to practice such traditions and pass it onto others.

Similarly, individuals doing petty-jobs have been imbibed to exercise ‘Sir/Madam’ order.  They have to submit themselves to salutation custom in order to show respect.  Such people need to be educated that respect and salutation are two different things.  It would definitely help to change their perception, if introduced to No Sir No Madam teachings.

Reshaping the mindsets of millions of people cannot be done overnight.  However, people can be educated about it, so that they terminate any such salutation compulsion.  Sharad reckons, students in college should be introduced about first-name notion.  Especially, in colleges, where juniors have to address their seniors with a salutation.  Such trivial gestures are not required in colleges and should be abolished.

Overall, Sharad advises to spread awareness in schools, corporate offices, and government sector.  People will be inspired to let go of formal felicitations, if they understand the boons of first-name observance.

Finally, every individual should support No Sir No Madam movement.  People learn from each other.  Hence, People who preach about first-name habit should also inculcate it and employ it in their daily life.  Spreading awareness is of no use, if we do not encourage others by setting examples ourselves.  If the cross-bearers of this beautiful custom do not follow it, the rest of the society will not understand its essence.

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