Friday, August 9, 2013

P Ramachander, A Great Wall of Compass




 9.8.2013

V Balasubramanian 

P Ramchander, A Great Wall of  Compass



Today is the 69th Birth Day of late Mr P Ramchander, who was editor, Compass, the in-house journal of India Cements Ltd. We visited his house in Mylapore and paid our respect to the Great Soul.

 I had known Chander during my long innings in Journalism and benefitted a lot from his foresight and knowledge about the economy, cement industry and the organisation. But, I never imagined that one day I will be playing his role as Editor, Compass, in India Cements.

In the last three months of my working, I could see the immense contributions made by  Chander to ICL and its educational institution, TS Narayanaswmi College of Arts and Science. Compass issues published by him in the last two decades have resourceful and relevant articles on economy, management, India Cements and thoughts shared by its VC and MD, Sri N Srinivasan.

Everyone in the organisation whom I interact, speaks  high of Chander's human qualities.


 
 Chander, You are not in our midst today, but the legend of the wall will stand for generations to come. ICL family is always proud of your achievements and contributions. We always live in your memory.



 On this occasion, I thought of sharing with my friends the Tribute on Chander, published in Compass, May 2013.  My esteemed colleage, Mr G Vishwanath, Chief Manager, Co-ordiantion, India Cements, has richly contributed to writing this Tribute due to his long association with his affectionate Chander.


Vishwanath tells me the famous quote admired by Chander is " Mortal men, Immortal deeds". Chander lived truly to these words close to his heart.
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Tribute in Compass, May 2013 issue




"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep
-Robert Frost (Passage to India)



 



 When the management under  Vice-Chairman & MD,  Mr N. Srinivasan, decided to revive the in-house magazine in early nineties,  the natural choice was P. Ramchander, who was the catalyst for the resurrection of THE COMPASS.

Chennai born P.Ramchander had his initial education and upbringing in Simla and Delhi. Chander, the banker turned journalist, was the driving force behind  the publication of THE COMPASS with his abundant passion and spirit.


Held in high esteem by the core management team  and other colleagues, his advice and guidance was constantly sought after by individuals from all walks of life. As a skilled Wordsmith, he was able to communicate effectively ICL’s philosophy, its mission and accomplishments to all stakeholders and the society at large.

 Chander was also deeply involved in the educational activities of T S N College of Arts and Science and significantly contributed to its development over the years.


His biggest contribution was capturing and profiling  the entire growth story of ICL since inception in 1946   through the the Golden Jubilee issue of  Compass published in  1996  and through  the Birth Centenrary special  issue of its   Founder,  Sri T S Narayanaswmi, published  in November 2011.
Chander’s swan song was the Special issue of Compass published in January 2013 when the postal department released commemorative postage stamp in honour of ICL founder.


 He constantly maintained that every issue of  Compass contained rich content, covering economic developments  and  activities of the administration. He also ensured that it carried useful articles for professionals which in turn helped Compass in winning  several awards.


He was a key motivating factor for managers and work force. He had always acknowledged              Mr N. Srinivasan as a key driving force for his “ second innings”  in life.


Chander was indeed a renaissance man. He did not confine his interests only to journalism, but was a cricket aficionado. Over the past five and a half decades, he followed the willow game vividly during his School and College days.  He was an avid listener of cricket commentary and a voracious reader of cricket chronicles.     He authored several books which included the masterpiece- Mortal Men Immortal Deeds, Covering the Golden Era of the 1950s with s special mention of the 3 Legendary Ws of West Indian Cricket team- Walcott, Weekes and Worell. He also had literary leanings towards “Gleanings” and successfully compiled ‘Memorable Works of Prose & Poetry, His Masterstroke.

Mr.N.Srinivasan, in his foreward to the book “THE DAYS GONE BY”  appreciated Chander’s laudable effort to bring out a book on Test cricket journey from 1932 to 2007.

He said, “The author, an extremely knowledgeable cricket aficionado, deserves accolades for his laudable effort in bringing out this `Magnum Opus’, which covers a truly vast canvas, tracing as it does – India’s chequered and unforgettable Test cricket journey from 1932 to 2007.  I commend the book to cricket lovers, young and old, and am sure that they will enjoy reading this fascinating account of India’s test cricket odyssey”.


Adieu Chander, ICL Family is proud of your achievements. You are not in our midst today, but the legend of the wall will stand for generations to come.




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