Getting to Know Our Indian Partners!

Tulsi Luha

Courageous, young, adventurous, and bright!  Those are words I would use to describe Tulsi, the first person you see when you enter the Phillips office in Pune.  Our main office in India!  She always welcomes every one with a smile, even when she is swamped with work.  Tulsi is always willing to do whatever it takes to keep the front office of Phillips running smoothly.  Not only does she do all the administrative work, and organizing of activities, she also participates in making sure visitors are welcomed with a Pooja.  

Tulsi grew up in Gondia, a small village that borders northern Maharashtra.  It takes 18 hours by train to get there from Pune! Tulsi's is very close to her family and takes this trip at least a couple times a year. She grew up living with her grandparents, parents and 2 brothers, (Kapil and Navin), and a sister, (Nisha). Tulsi was known as the Brave Girl. When she was only 12 years old, her Father and Sister were almost electrocuted. During monsoon season her Father had touched an electric cord and then her sister tried to pull him away but she was also caught by the electrical current. Tulsi remembered that her Father showed her where the main switch was to shut off the electricity. She was short and had to jump several times but she finally shut off the electricity and her Father and Sister both survived.

 

 

Tulsi loves spending time with her family.  Hiking, going to the beach and exploring! They all are an inspiration to her but especially her Mother and Father!

 

Tulsi went to school in Gondia and received her MBA-HR. Tulsi always wanted to be the best she could be and her Grandmother always encouraged her. When the lights would go out, (and that happens quite often in India,) Tulsi's Grandmother would hold a candle for her to study by all night! Tulsi's Grandmother would also give Tulsi pocket money to buy school books!  Tulsi was very close to her Grandparents and gives thanks for their encouragement to study and go to college.  She lost them 4 years ago. 

Tulsi won many writing awards while in college. She won first place in the inter – state competition, on the topic "AIDS & it’s awareness" from the Member of Parliament. She also won an award for her essay on the autobiography of ManoharBhai Patel, Father of Prafull Patel, Civil Aviation Minister of India. The college has a trophy for winning these awards! Tulsi was also part of a dance group while in college!

Tulsi's first job was Management trainee in Cease Fire Industries in Pune. She was selected in a Campus Interview among 60 candidates. Tulsi traveled the 18 hours by train, all by herself at the age of 23. Courageous! (I am not sure I could have done that). Tulsi then roomed with 5 other girls from the Gondia area. Her first job profile was to sell fire extinguishers to companies. Tulsi was the first woman to sell 50 fire extinguishers in MIDC area like Chakan in Pune. She made history in sales for the Company and her boss still keeps in contact with her. This was Tulsi's first achievement in her career. Tulsi then moved into HR and joined Savali Management Consultancy. Tulsi joined Phillips Corp. in March 2010. She won the Brand Ambassador Award in 2013. Tulsi thinks of this award as her biggest accomplishment in her career.

 

Tulsi has lived in the same area of Pune (Nibin Kondwa) since 2008.  Tulsi now lives with her 2 brothers, Kapil and Navin.  They recently moved into a new place and performed a Pooja to bless their new home!  

Tulsi loves working at Phillips.  She feels like they are her family!  She has enjoyed so many happy moments with all of her co-workers.  

 

Tulsi enjoys reading and writing.  Especially, Shayari (a Urdu word meaning poetry).  Tulsi sent me a sampling of her poetry.

“It’s seems I know you from many years…. 

I met with you with no fears….

Emptiness between you & me…

Carry my face always in tears….

It’s seems I know you from many years….

Remembering the days of our cheers..

Touching the soft toys my teddy bears…

I don’t know why I find you always my near…

Please come back my darling dear..

It’s seems I know you from many years….

Your sweetest voice whispers are always there …

Your love makes the strongest love layers…

I am glad to have you with our nice pair…

Who else are here? To whom I can share..

Missing the way your cares…

It’s seems I know you from many years…. “

Tulsi has recently, since her marriage, started eating meat.  No beef, tho!  Tulsi had been an eggatarian for the past 8 years. Her favorite foods are still eggatarian!  Palak Paneer, Chana Masala, Fried Brinjal, Kala Gulab Jamun, Curd curry rice.  Tulsi loves to cook! 

Tulsi is Hindu, she fasts once a month for Lord Ganesh. The Elephant God.  Tulsi also fasts every Tuesday for Maa Durga.  Hindus believe that Goddess Durga protects them from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.  Durga in Sanskrit means fort, a place that is hard to overrun. Another meaning is "Durgatinashini" which literally translates to 

"The one who eliminates suffering".  Durga is depicted as having eight or ten hands. These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects them from all directions.

Tulsi married a handsome young man, born & brought up in Kolkata, India.  They met on a matrimonial site, Jeevansathi. Com.  They started liking each other’s thoughts, and opinions.  Once they found they were compatible with each other they involved their parents.  The two families got know each other and decided there could be a marriage.  Tulsi and Sanjay were married on 13^th July 2013.  Tulsi has told me, since the day I met her, that she was looking for the man of her dreams!  I believe she has found him.   Tulsi is very happy!  

There were several rituals performed at Tulsi's wedding. 

"Kanyadan"

Tulsi's Father gave her new husband, Sanjay, a wheat ball. This ball is made by the Priest and inside is a coin.  The priest gave this ball to Tulsi's Father, he then gave it to Sanjay along with Tulsi's hand as a gift from him.  

 

“Saat Phere” ( Seven Vows of wedding )

This ritual is significant in Hindu Weddings. The seven vows or seven steps are of great mythological importantance. Tulsi and Sanjay walk around the “Hawan Kund” Holy Fire. With every round Tulsi and Sanjay make one promise to each other. It is only after these Pheras that they are declared as man and woman, (husband and wife).

 

 

Tulsi is keeping with the tradition of wearing the mangalsutra necklace and the sindur, (red colored powder) in the part of her hair.  Both are symbols of marriage.

When I asked Tulsi where she would like to travel one day, she said to visit Dave and I in the US.    I truly hope that one day, while living in Canada she does get to come visit us.  We have enjoyed getting to know such a sweet young woman! 

Tulsi is willing to go where ever destiny takes her with her new husband.  Tho... she really would like to go on a cruise. Sanjay has promised her that one day, they will cruise!

Tulsi is leaving Phillips and Pune on November 15th.  She will be going home to visit her family for a few weeks, then off to live with her in-laws (whom she loves dearly!) until her visa comes through to move to Canada with her new husband, Sanjay!

I am sure everyone at Phillips is going to miss you soooo much! I know if I ever come back to India, it will not be the same without you!  You are an inspiration to me!  Dave and I wish you happy travels and good fortune for all your life!