An Ode to Overwork

Work is worship
Profit the prasad
Partners get the laddoo
And a platinum card

Consulting, i-banking,
Offices of law
Come in, young graduates
Tighten your jaw

Start very early
End very late
Grab a bite sometime
That is your fate

Whatever you’re asked
You just gotta do
Tasks are too many
Hands are too few

The boss is out
Dining a client
Karna padta hai
To build this giant

A large global firm
Hungry for more
Bring me more billing
Hear me roar

I need this report
Done by tonight
You are sick? You are tired?
Put up a fight

If you can’t take the heat
Find a new job
Whenever we hire
There is a mob

Of hungry young people
Willing to work
Give us a chance
We shall not shirk

Our parents and teachers
Told us when young
No gain no pain
Life is ek jung

We slogged for exams
Topped the class
Now they will say
“Bete, shabaash!”

There are times
When I’m sad and alone
So much hustle
Worked to the bone

But then I see
A future so bright
I will get promoted
Take business class flight

When I make partner
I will preside
Over young minions
Who shall provide

The cheap trusty labour
That feeds the machine
Which pays me that bonus
And makes me feel seen

I read out the slides
Made by another
Faceless nameless
Sister or brother

An anguished mom
Sends out a letter
OhmyGod!
We must do better

Call the PR
Make right noises
Don’t put in writing
Tell girls and boyses

If you are feeling
Like you might die
Tell in advance
So we can comply

Which colour roses
You want us to send
Tick if you want
‘Funeral attend’

But as you know
There is always a deadline
And you are now dead
So why the headline

Common sense only
‘Life must go on’
Next please
Sina qua non

Originally published here: https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/rashmi-bansal-an-ode-to-overwork/20240920.htm