Preeti Mittal, Founder of Bluebit Systems realizes the need for the No Sir No Madam movement in India. Bluebit Systems endeavors to provide their clients with world-class online marketing services for their business.
She has completed her graduation in engineering and earned her MBA from the acclaimed Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies. Preeti established Bluebit Systems with a will to break the stereotype associated with professional women.
In her company, there is no mandate that her employees have to follow Sir/Madam culture, pertaining to addressing each other. She does not believe in salutation decree and advises her employees to refer her by her first-name.
Preeti states — ‘Sir/Madam’ culture is so deeply rooted into some of them that they still adhere to it. Constantly I have to brief my team members to address me as Preeti.
She got encouraged to adopt No Sir No Madam tradition because of her foreign clients. For her work, she communicates with clients from the United Kingdom and the United States. She voices, “In these countries, people do not exercise salutation decree in professional place.” They feel absurd if anyone addresses them as ‘Sir/Madam’, Preeti adds.
Preeti believes that addressing someone by their first-name helps in forming a better bond with them. One can recognize the other person distinctively because of their name. Furthermore, she opines that No Sir No Madam practice should be adopted by every private sector organization.
“I feel that by removing communication barriers, people can relate better with each other.” Often, junior employees are scared to approach their seniors regarding any query or work. First-name doctrine can help in removing such fears and breaking down any hindrance.
In Indian Culture, we fortunately have plenty of jargon’s to display respect to seniors. Preeti suggests using those words in substitute of a salutation. She enumerates — we can use ‘ji’ at the end of someone’s name, to show them respect. This will imbibe mutual respect as no one has to make themselves feel inferior in order display regards.
However, while dealing with government officials, any form greeting other than ‘Sir/Madam’ offends them. Preeti mentions, “In order to get your work completed, one has to address them as ‘Sir/Madam’.” It is unfair that people have to bow down to such edicts. Bureaucrats need to understand that it is their duty and should not demand anything in return. She reckons — No Sir No Madam drive can bring a change in the way officers treat civilians.
Preeti also discerns the discrimination caused by such a salutation order. People belonging to a working-class are usually less educated. As a result, they follow any custom imposed on them. Therefore, it is vital to educate such individuals and their employers about No Sir No Madam teachings. This will assist in decreasing the disparity in society.
To spread more awareness about No Sir No Madam cause, she advocates it to be implemented in the education system. “There are some schools in Mumbai where this ideology is already being implemented. Students address their teachers as ‘Teacher’ or ‘Aunt’. Even in the US, students refer to their teachers by their first-name.”
Such practices should be adopted in schools all across India as well. When these kids grow-up, they will be the change bearers and would understand the essence of respecting everyone. Hence, she recommends the education ministry to pass some guidelines to inculcate this into the school curriculum.
Preeti ceases by urging every individual to practice and spread news about No Sir No Madam. She cites a small deed as an example, she indicates — “I do not use any salutation while communicating with anyone via email.” Therefore, these minuscule initiatives can bring about a big change within the society.
Add comment