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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