Blog #0 – Prologue
It is December 2017.
I live in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam with my wife. We came here two years ago
when CCL Pharmaceuticals Pakistan acquired a manufacturing unit here and
relocated me as its General Director.
HCMC, as it is
mostly called, is like Karachi. It is the commercial capital of Vietnam with a
modern look and feel. People are friendly, and everyone goes about their own
life without nose-poking others. There are only two weathers; rainy and dry.
Both last for 6 months each. The temperature stays between 25Co and
35Co year-round. HCMC is dotted with coffee shops and restaurants
everywhere and anywhere, and they all do business.
I turned 60 in
August 2016 and retired as per rules, but was given a contract to continue
working. I enjoy work here. It is challenging, yet exciting. Of course, I shall
finally retire from a regular job sooner or later.
Retirement is a good
or bad time, whichever way we look at it. I do have a good feeling though about
the time ahead.
My career spans over
42 years and it has all been Pharma. The career story is rather simple.
An average person with minimum education got into a job he was not
particularly cut-out for, stumbled along for 42 years, and grew from entry
position to C-Suite.
Allah is Gracious.
And lots of people helped me on this long journey. They supported me in every
possible way; they shaped me into what I am, and they lit the path of my career
for me. A long career is most likely not
a fairy tale. It would have many ups and down and I did have plenty.
I am hugely, deeply
and irrevocably indebted to all men and women who were my mentors, colleagues,
friends and tormentors. I carry profound and unbound gratitude to them. Some
are not among us anymore, but many are.
I am telling my story, not for my sake, but to pay homage and humble respect to my dear ones.
I am telling my story, not for my sake, but to pay homage and humble respect to my dear ones.
It is not a
historical document. It is a personal account. No matter what we say about
keeping personal and work life separate, the line between them becomes fuzzy. It
is as much my work story as it is my personal.
Why should this
story be told? For three (good) reasons. One, looking at my achievements and
failings may help the younger colleagues to design a better course for their
career; two, the lessons I learnt the hard way may bring ease to some people;
and three, I must pay gratitude to the fine people who made invaluable
contribution to my life.
I wish and hope that
my effort will motivate more people to share their stories and PharmaVeterans
Blog will also see guest blogs on its site in time to come.
Fond Regards.
Asrar Qureshi
HCMC
December 3, 2017
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