Prof NS Ramaswamy, founder director of IIM Bangalore

[quixton don]

Some of the very important thoughts to understand and follow

 

Regards

 

R K Atri

 

Professor N.S.Ramaswamy (February '99)

Every morning, at 7.30 an elderly man, with a white flowing beard, can be seen in the 6th Block, walking stick in hand, woolen cap on the head, wearing a kurta and pyjama, taking a walk on the street by the side of the Club. He could be any of those scores of senior citizens, for whom the morning walk down the many quiet streets of Koramangala, is a ritual. Inhaling the fresh air on a nippy morning - these are some of the pleasures of retired life. A few yards further, this man turns into a vast plot of land, which from the outside resembles a forest of sorts. This is the Animal Shelter and Clinic run by CARTMAN, a name board that one sees so often in Koramangala. But that elderly man is not retired by any means. And neither is this a routine walk. He is there with a purpose. And that purpose is to see each morning, how his dream project is shaping up. And that senior citizen is the very famous and knowledgeable, Professor N.S.Ramaswamy.

For the last 40 years, he has been all out to achieve what is closest to his heart. Animal Welfare, Livestock, Rural Development and protection of the Environment. In this pursuit, he has rubbed shoulders with many dignitaries, not just in India, but all over the world. He has sat on many a dias and lectured on an array of subjects, to audiences all over the globe. At first, the immediate conclusion one draws is that he is something to do with agriculture or farming. It's true, in a way. But his knowledge and experience goes beyond just that. His bio-data is not that of a normal person, which at best would run into 2-3 pages of typed text. The Professor has so many portfolios attached to his name that he has a 4-page printed bio-data given as a hand out. That's his visiting card.

However, Professor Ramaswamy has his apprehensions. "I have so many projects that can save the country hundreds of crores of rupees. I have written to all concerned. Spoken to those who matter. I get tons of appreciation and accolades for my efforts, but not a penny by way of funds to keep these projects going," he says, a bit depressed, but not one to throw in the towel. So, how does he manage, what with a fully staffed office and people to work at the Animal Shelter? "Some money is being given by the State Government and a few other welfare boards around the country. But it is not sufficient and I have to put the rest from my pocket, which I am able to get from the many lectures I am called to deliver, from time to time."

His wish is to complete the projects on hand. But, inadequate funds have slowed down the pace. And yet, this has not dampened the spirit of his dedicated staff and his wife, who play a major role in these activities. "There's not much time left for me," he says with a concern in his voice. He is 74, but his enthusiasm has not waned one bit. And while Professor's communion with Nature continues, he goes about the process of achieving whatever he can, with whatever funds he can manage, at times, scraping the bottom of the barrel. One thing is for sure. Whether his dream of a "Garden of Eden" comes by or not, he has shown not only Koramangalites, but to the rest of Mankind, that there is a lot one can achieve if there is self belief and earnestness.

And as he walks back towards home, three small children run upto him. His hand goes into his kurta pocket from where he extracts a few pieces of bread. He hands these over to the children and the smiles on their faces denote the extent of their happiness. "Give them this day their daily Bread." He has made their day. Now he has to begin his.

http://www.koramangala.com/korabuz/pers1999/02.htm

 

Management Sadhu

IndianNGOs.com meets multifaceted, multidimensional Prof. N.S Ramaswamy and comes back convinced that Philosophy and Management are inseparable.

One look at Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy and you jump to the conclusion that he must be a 'Sadhu' and perhaps his sole aim in life is giving discourses. But if you are a little more inquisitive and try to dwell further, your assumption will be washed away. Prof. Ramaswamy happens to be the former Director of IIM Bangalore and NITIE Mumbai and the current director of an NGO called CARTMAN. And this is not all, Prof. Ramaswamy has a lot more to his credit which if listed would run into pages.

His chronological age might be 76 but his energy level is as high as that of a youth. What is most intriguing is that being from a management background Prof. Ramaswamy's inclination towards the social sector has been very strong.

The NGO CARTMAN was registered in 1986 by professor and the name stands for Centre for Action, Research & Technology for Man, Animals and Nature. The idea behind starting CARTMAN was to maintain the Symbiotic relationship between man, animal and nature. Most of the projects were on popularization of improved bullock carts, modernization of slaughterhouses, establishment of rural abattoirs, introduction of animal welfare, veterinary services and promotion of vegetarianism. The NGO had government funding and all its efforts were to develop a sustainable system while working with the government. Indian Heritage Academy was an offshoot of CARTMAN and currently focuses on cultural and spiritual revival.

It is interesting to gather Prof. Ramaswamy's philosophical views on management. As he emphatically adds, "Traditional management has a western model. Management is the product of upcoming economy. We are in the height of vaishya (i.e. Management) era and managers are instruments of Vaishya Era." He also goes on to add that one must follow the management mode for better efficiency while running an NGO.

China happens to be one country, which has interested him a lot because of the way the handle resources and Mao Se Tung is his ideal.

Talking about the goals of his organization he lists the following:

• Organizing the non-organized sector is the first principle of development.
• In an organization there has to be commitment
• An organization must inculcate ethics among the staff.

He believes in not just a holistic but also a spiritual approach to development and profoundly states, "Humans are the ultimate beneficiaries of human efforts and humans are the one s exploiting mother earth. One cannot quench desire by satisfying it, the only way out is controlling it."

Prof. Ramaswamy feels that most education institutions do not exactly focus on education most of them just impart skills and provide training to students, but actual education is about man making / character building.

On a parting note, one needs to absorb the prudent words of Prof. Ramaswamy, "Younger generation as a building block have got a lot of exposure, now they need to develop character, competence, commitment and concerns." Amen

 

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