The only mail we knew as school-going children were the trains that had a special deep red colour coach. Those were the days of trains with all red colour bogies, but these were painted with an extra red coat of paint. The letters carried by postmen were referred as "Post". "Mail trains" usually ran in the nights, with exception of some trains that ran for longer than overnight mail trains. Some of them, like Madras-Howrah Mail and Howrah-Kalka Mail ran for two nights and two days. Express and Mail trains charged higher fares for passengers traveling in them.
While passing through Madras Central station (now called Chennai Central) on the way to Delhi and Calcutta as there were no direct trains from Bangalore, we had the privilege of reading a newspaper known as "The Mail". Other newspapers were published in the morning, but this newspaper appeared on the stands in the evening.
"Post" carried by postmen usually came twice a day in big cities, once in towns and once in two or three days in villages. Most of the villagers did not know reading and writing letters and took the help of school children like us to read their letters and sometimes write letters for them. A schoolboy who could do this was considered very useful to the neighbourhood. Those with good handwriting were much sought after.
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The advent of e-mail has changed everything. Someone who does not know how to send, receive or use e-mail is now considered as illiterate. There is no specified time to send and receive e-mails. It can be done at every tick of the clock. It can arrive at all times of day and night. The world has moved a lot ahead than e-mail. Telegram has gone, but Instagram is here. Then there are many more.......
Today's world is the world of "Publicity". Some people prepare their lunch (which itself is praiseworthy since it was not ordered to be delivered), serve it on the plate, take a picture of it, upload on Instagram, and then start eating it. The days of "Naivedyam" are long gone. It is now Naivedyam to the whole world, before we consume it. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Truly.
The word "Status" has earned an altogether different meaning. It meant a person's status in society long long ago. Now it is what the person has uploaded on social media "at the moment". It is truly a case of "living in the moment". Because this status is going to change "any moment". It is also very comforting to know that the world at large knows more about us than ourselves.
Earlier generation believed that the "Lord" is always watching everything. It was a belief. Now we know "Uncle Google" is watching everything. It is not a belief. It is the real and real-time truth. Mahatma Gandhi said that his life was an "Open Book". He should have seen now, how open a person's life can be! His life's book could be shut at will and opened again. Now our lives are open 24x365x100 and beyond.
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One such e-mail arrived on the devices of some 10,000 plus persons at exactly 6 AM EST on 31st March, 2026. It could have been ignored had it arrived 24 hours later as a joke. Not so.
- The mail was probably prepared by an AI tool. There were no feelings in it. Strictly business.
- Delivered on the dot around sunrise time. It is the dawn of a new day for others, but end of a phase in life for the recipient of the mail.
- Delivered on the devices before the recipient had even got up from the bed. Before they had a morning cup of coffee or whatever.
- It was indeed a "Terminator". "Your role is eliminated", it said. "Today is your last working day". You won't work for us from today. Of course, you are free to live.
- "You will lose your access to the "Company's sources", before the end of the day.
- "You can access the form to submit your personal e-mail (you are fortunate it cannot be taken back by us) to remain in touch". One small door is open a bit. Not to get in or get out. Just to peep in to see something you want to dearly.
- Access "DocuSign" before it is too late. Time is the key.
- To know the "Severance Package" severe the "Umbilical Cord" first.
- An assurance that this cut is "not based on your performance". Very comforting. "I was indeed very efficient. this happened despite that", one can feel and relax.
- RHS and SVOS were gutted. Our generation does not know what these mean. So no worries.
- Act quickly. For understanding the details of "Severance Package", exit first. Understanding can come thereafter. You will have all the time in the world to understand it since you will have no work, but all free time.
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Now that the persons really matter have been informed, it is over to the analysts. They enlighten all concerned that this is not really a surprise.
- Company had hinted at layoffs weeks in advance.
- Q3 earnings filing on March 10th had already given indication three weeks ago.
- There were concerns about loss of jobs when computers arrived. But the world reached a new equilibrium. In fact, more and more enriched jobs were created. Don't despair. Take comfort from this.
- AI is next phase of computerisation. The world will be a better place to live in!
- "The warning was hiding in plain sight". You didn't see. What we can do?
- Q3 filing already referred to "work place restructuring". It was mentioned as a risk factor. You risked ignoring it and not understanding it.
- It is a normal process in present times. It is "AI and Technology Evolution".
- First 9 months spending on "Restructuring" was 5 times more than last year. What other warning you expect?
- It is not a job cut, but an inevitability driven by AI. Nobody wants to do it, but it happens on its own and very naturally.
- AI mode for generating computer codes have become super-efficient.
- Therefore teams are restructured into smaller and more agile groups.
- This is the era of "Building more software, in less time, with fewer people".
- You may not be there, but feel happy that much more agile groups are handling the operations you once did!
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We have seen how things changed in our times. Look back and see how we have progressed:
- Organisations had a staff member looking into staff aspects in it.
- Then came "Staff Sections".
- Then they became "Personnel Departments".
- The fancy name "Human Resource Department" followed.
- Companies even valued Human Resources and showed them in their Balance Sheets as "Intangible Assets", but more valuable than any tangible assets. Intangible assets are now becoming "Invisible assets". What's wrong with it?
- There were only "Recruitment interviews". "Exit interviews" followed. (Of course, now exit interviews have themselves exited).
- Today"s exits have "No prior conversation". No "loop-ins". "System access on the way out" does everything in one stroke. What a "Masterstroke"!
- Billions spent in the immediate past in "Severance Package" is itself a sever warning.
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Remember that AI manages itself. Is it not great that lesser number of managers will manage things henceforth? Literally half of white collar jobs are going. Remaining also will go eventually.
Money saved with these exits caused by AI will be gainfully used for further enhancing AI to cut even the remaining jobs.
No one is alone in this great development saga. All giants are racing each other in this game. Take the thrill by watching the race.
There will be an important meeting of the "remaining staff". Efficiency will be "ramped up". Remaining staff will "absorb the workload". By developing such resultant efficiency, the remaining staff will open the gates for further exits.
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Want a solution for this "Catch-22" situation? Two great thoughts:
- Always be interviewing.
- Leave before they push you.
