Howard Gardening Story #3 – Ajoy and his flying kiss to plants

 

Howard Gardening Story #3 – Ajoy and his flying kiss to plants

Years ago, I used to carpool with Ajoy — then the Product Centre Head at our company.

What I remember most isn't what happened during the ride, but what he did before it.

Every morning, before stepping into the car, Ajoy would visit his plants.

He didn’t just glance at them. He’d touch them gently. Whisper something. And wave goodbye.

It was as if he was leaving his children behind for the day.

That small gesture said everything — about who he was and how he saw the world.

Today, Ajoy leads a division of nearly a thousand people.

I sometimes wonder:
Does he still wave to his plants?
Or has that tender ritual been buried under the weight of quarterly goals and endless meetings?
Or maybe — just maybe — he’s gathered kindred spirits in his team… and together, they’re doing something extraordinary for the planet.

I think, if HR or CSR teams wanted a true ambassador for UN’s SDG 15 (Life on Land), they wouldn’t find a better soul than Ajoy.

Question to my HR and CSR family - 
- Can we spot such passions early?
- Can we nurture them — before they get lost in the mulch of deadlines?

If someone in your team waves at plants… maybe that’s where your next green revolution begins.

Would love to hear your stories. Just call me.

#HowardGardening #EmployeeEngagement #SDG15 #CSR