Paromita Das, the creative director at Urban Purple is a firm supporter of No Sir No Madam drive. Urban Purple is a design studio that supports various clothing lines and apparel brands with fashion design, technical design, and garment manufacturing. Urban Purple is also a leading fashion design consultant for more than 100 clothing lines.
Paromita has received her master’s degree in fashion design from the renowned National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). She has also worked as a freelance designer for the Levis Strauss & Company, the clothing giant.
Being accustomed to addressing people on a first-name basis, she has imbibed the same in her employees as well. At Urban Purple, her employees address Paromita as ‘akka’ which means sister. Paromita states that because of this habit, her employees feel more connected to the firm and work earnestly.
Additionally, employees even feel empowered to approach you regarding any error in the functioning within the organization. Moreover, she cites one instance, when a suggestion given by her employee helped their firm to boost their productivity exponentially.
Prior to Urban Purple, Paromita was the senior fashion designer at International Clothing House. She learned about the first-name culture being practiced in offices at this organization. She even recollects referring her boss by his first-name. There were no restrictions imposed on us, which enabled us to be more productive at our assigned work.
However, the existing culture at government offices displeases Paromita. She conveys that a person has to cling to salutation decree while visiting public offices for any work. Even though these bureaucrats have their name printed on giant boards outside their offices, they take offense on being referred without a salutation. Paromita remarks Public sector employees are not doing anyone a favor, hence they should not feel entitled to any salutation.
She narrates “I remember having to visit civil offices for registration work. It is appalling that office heads, ignore your work. Respect can be showed in many ways, yet; civil servants are adamant about being addressed as ‘Sir/Madam’. In India, we have the option to use the word ‘ji’ that can be added to someone’s name while conversing with them. It is a politer and respectful word that can be exercised instead of any salutation.”
In continuation, she sympathizes with the conditions of blue-collar workers in India. Despite doing jobs that require hard work and dedication, they are ill-treated and subjected to prejudice. Paromita adds “they are humans too and should be respected equally.” She cites an example of her office, where, there are less-educated people working under her.
Paromita conveys that every employee holds their own importance. There have been instances where iron man and painters have advised Paromita to reduce her office expenses. When you appreciate and respect your employees, they reward you with dedication towards you.
To educate people and change the mindset of everyone, Paromita suggests implementing No Sir No Madam principles in schools. If students are taught to address each other on a first-name basis with respect, they will be benefited in the long run. In addition, parents also ought to take up the responsibility of educating their kids and people around them about first-name custom.
Overall, she clinches “Nobody is inferior or superior. We all are equal as human beings and should be respected equivalently. Therefore, inculcate No Sir No Madam in your space to inspire people. When individuals notice that people are getting rid of salutations, they will be inspired to do so too.”
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