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WORK PAD

A clean, green office

Photo: M. Karunakaran

Open and friendly Ramesh Kymal in his office

Ramesh Kymal, MD, Vestas Wind Technology India, is a highly satisfied man. So content and fulfilled that he has old Hindi and Tamil film songs playing softly in his office. “I love my job, I love the office. I love the place, I love life,” ; he says, sounding a bit like one of the numbers he listens to on Worldspace. “I’m completely at peace here, with myself. I am a lucky man.”

And, why not? On the large TV screen on the far wall from his desk, he gets to watch his company’s new crop — the windmills — sprouting impossibly on remote hillsides. A 24/7 satellite surveillance system tells him how the modern giants respond to wind speed to produce power.

The wind turbine business he oversees is propelled by clean, free, plentiful wind. It’s a business of the future. “While it is good for the environment, it also makes money.” He doesn’t need to hide his smile.

You can’t imagine Mr. Kymal anywhere else. “In my student days, I did a project in college to recycle sewage water to make it potable,” he says, implying he had always wanted to be on the right side of ecology to make a living. He was the first employee of the company’s Indian operations and pioneered the concept of green office buildings in this part of Chennai.

The office has some lovely art work by his wife and woodcraft by carpenters the company employs to convert recycled wood to free school furniture, but it must be viewed from above. It is in a building that’s shaped like the rotor of a windmill — with a central hub and three blades. “Vineeta Badawe’s design,” Kymal says, pointing out the energy-saving measures that made it eligible for LEEDS gold rating. “We walk the talk.”

Large double-glazed glass windows and insulated walls make the office bright and noise-free. “Least amount of disturbance inside.

You could say it looks like a resort from outside and a hospital room from inside.” It’s an atmosphere for work, he adds quickly. Energy conservation gives a special feeling, he claims. It is an inner awakening, it unites employees. “I have embarked on a mission to make us carbon neutral.” He promotes car pooling, using bikes and electric cars, video conferencing, reduction in airline travel. “The office is almost paperless,” he says. “This office provides an open atmosphere, where people are free to challenge me,” he says. “I encourage true feedback, there are no yesmen here.” His inbox is clean as well. “I tell them not to send mail unless there’s need for action.” His 24/7 cellphone beeps only if there’s bad news.

The business chair in front of a small case of books isn’t important to him. “I don’t feel threatened.

I am not competing with anyone. I don’t need to watch my back.” Has the Hanuman statue in the lobby got anything to do with it?

Favourite view - The greenery from the window of which he is proud.

Favourite spot - The sofa close to where the music is.

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