The Saga of the White Elephant: From Myth to Modernity

My grandmother's claim of seeing a white elephant, supposedly organized by her father for her marriage procession, was met with disbelief. She recounted the event in vivid detail, but we remained unconvinced. Even her brother, when asked, dismissed it as a childhood memory, suggesting she might not have accurately observed the animal's colour. His laughter at the memory of her marriage and their father's extravagant displays only added to our disbelief.
In Indian mythology, the white elephant holds a significant place. Airavata is the majestic white elephant that serves as the vehicle of Indra, the king of the gods. Born from the churning of the ocean of milk, Airavata is often depicted with four tusks and seven trunks, symbolizing its immense power and divine origin. With its divine origin and tremendous energy, this celestial elephant is said to bring rain and fertility, making it a vital figure in Hindu lore.
The 'white elephant' metaphor, deeply rooted in our business culture, was about to be tested. Like a 'bride' in a corner, a vast' wave soldering' machine occupied a productive workspace. Our work Director's decision to inspect the machine was met with disbelief. Despite the conclusion that we did not require such a machine, he decided to commission and use it. He announced that a team would create a project plan, train the employees, and monitor the function for a hundred days. The high-profile task force made a request for additional dollars in consumables. After a considerable effort and extra expenses, 'the whole elephant' was on the track. The kick-off happened with a lot of fanfare. The employee union got wind of the new equipment and created a stir. The union represented that the 'x' number of people would be jobless because of the machine and sought additional compensation. The 'white elephant' came to a grinding halt as the negotiations started. After several days of consultations, the machine became operational again. One of the critical components of the agreement was the health concerns of the operator on the machine. The management agreed that the operators would get hot milk and cookies twice during the shift, though the union wanted coffee or hot chocolate instead of milk. The management refused, so the operators bought the additional ingredients and set up a mini pantry near the machine. They also invited their friends and shared the beverages and cookies.
One day, my Director's surprise visit revealed the unexpected consequences of the 'white elephant'. The escalating variable costs and the workers' unity symbolized by the mini pantry near the machine were not part of the initial plan. He decided to scrap the machine. This realization of the 'white elephant' cost was a significant moment in our business journey, highlighting the unpredictability of business decisions.