Delighted to learn that R.Jagdish
Chandran, Bob Chandran to his friends, is turning 80 . While wishing him many happy returns of the day, I thank his family for
giving me this opportunity to say something about my eventful association with him.
It was during my
stay in Delhi between 1971-74 that I first got to know Bob. He was making his
official visit to Delhi as the President
of Round Table India in 1974. Since the office bearers of the local Tables had
not responded to his communication, I had to take the initiative to organize a meeting where he could meet all Delhi Tablers.
I had a reputation as a reliable Tabler who could be trusted with jobs. I didn`t
realise then that it was going to be the beginning of an enduring friendship with Bob and that I was going to
play an important role in the
implementation of his dream project– The Round Table House. A building to be
owned by Round Table India where the National Secretariat of Round Table India was
to be located. Why did Bob think of such an idea? As an answer I am reproducing
below the following relevant story
recorded by Mrs Gita Narayanan in her book on `The First Three decades of Round
Table India`
`When Bob Chandran became a
Tabler as Founder Chairman of Coimbatore’s RT-9, he did not know what a
momentous step he was taking. He was, by his own account, a shy and quiet
person, unused to socializing or pushing himself forward, not aware of the
capacity for leadership that lay within him. The development of his personality
over the ensuing years, his access to a position of leadership on the national
and international scene where hundreds of young men drew their inspiration from
him, the realization of his own potential: these are all what, as he simply
puts it, ‘what Round Table did for me’. When the time approached to quit
Tabling, he decided to do something as a return of debt for RT India which he
believed he owed. What he hit upon was the setting up of a permanent home for
RTI so that it would become the only service organization in the country with
its own building. So, he offered a donation of Rs. 20 lakh on a condition that
the balance must be raised by the Tables and their members.
On April 18, 1980, a
charitable trust in the name ‘Round Table Foundation’ was registered in
Coimbatore. The founder trustees of the Foundation were Suresh Gokuldas and
R.V. Rajan. When seven more trustees were
appointed in fulfillment of
the trust deed, Krish Chitale was named Chairman of the Foundation and R.V.
Rajan, its Secretary. The purpose of the trust was to ensure the Round Table
House became RT India’s permanent home`.
At this point I was
also shouldering the responsibility as the Chairman of the National Secretariat
Committee of RTI. which was located in
my office. The understanding with my
boss in Bombay was that the secretariat would move to the Round Table House
within a year. When building plans were first drawn up, it was expected that
construction would be completed by the end of 1981. After
overcoming several problems the Round Table House was inaugurated at the Madras
AGM only in December,1984. The delay
almost cost me my job. But eventually things worked out and I was happy that I
could play a role in Bob realizing his dream.
Though I got out of
the board of trustees after 8 years Bob has been continuing to steer the Round
Table Foundation, with help from many committed ex- Tablers ensuring that the
original objectives are continuing to be adhered to. Today the Round Table
House not only is the home for the Round Table India Secretariat but also
for the Secretariats of Ladies Circle
India, 41 Clubs of India and the Tangent
Clubs. And the Round Table Foundation has
a huge corpus from which funds are provided for scores of projects of
Round Tables across the country, every year.
I worked closely with Bob not only on the building project but also helped him with many others.
I had the privilege of producing the AV for Bob
when he became the President of WoCo ( the international body to which Round
Table India was affiliated ) and also a special presentation titled “Footprints
on the sands of time” for raising funds for the Round Table House!
Bob was the second
Indian after Deepak Banker to become the President of WoCo, the international
body to which Round Table India was affiliated. As it was Bob’s AGM at
Stockholm in 1980 and RTI was pitching India as the venue for the 1983 AGM, Bob persuaded a group of Indian Tablers to
accompany him. While other Tablers could afford the trip on their own, Bob
decided to partially sponsor me and Tr. Muralidharan of Coimbatore. I was to be
one of the rapporteurs at the AGM, taking minutes of the proceedings — a job I
found difficult to handle as I could not hear or understand half the speakers
with different accents from different parts of the world.
The AGM, held at the
famous Hall where the prestigious Nobel prizes are presented, was a grand
affair! Known for his meticulous planning and preparation, Bob did a great job
as the President, conducting the proceedings with aplomb. His carefully prepared
address at the President’s Banquet in the evening which was laced with humour,
was a big hit. The sit down dinner for over 700 guests was a big treat for
every delegate except for a few vegetarians like me.
I thoroughly enjoyed
the trip and am forever grateful to Bob for making it happen.
Working with Bob made
me realise what a visionary he is. He also taught me the importance of
meticulous planning, ability to
anticipate problems and relentless pursuit of one`s dreams. Perfection in
whatever he did is another quality of Bob I admire.
I have had the privilege of having him as a
genuine well wisher all my life. This
became evident when he helped me with not only a part of his company`s advertising business
but also financial help, when I started my own advertising agency in 1986.
I can never forget the
wonderful hospitality of Bob and Sabitha
that I enjoyed during the several visits
I made to Coimbatore on work related to Round Table.or my business. His visit
to my home to offer his personal condolences within three days of my wife`s passing
away on 5th January,2013 is still fresh in my memory.
Though our paths
don`t cross that often these days, I am overwhelmed by the warmth and affection
that he still displays whenever we meet.
Bob will always remain a special person in my life
for not only for accepting me, a boy
from the chawls of Bombay , asan equal
but also helping me enjoy a special status in Round Table. This helped me make legions of friends over the
years because of which my `Bank of Good will` is always overflowing. If Round Table
helped Bob discover his hidden talents, it opened up a whole new world
to me and Bob had a role to play in it.
While saying a big
`THANK YOU` to Bob, I pray God to bestow good health on him so that he
will see more than thousand moons
and continue to guide the youngsters in the years
to come.
By R.V.Rajan
( written for the special souvenir brought out by the family on the occassion of Bob`s 80th birthday on 6th March,2021)
( Founder Trustee of
Round Table Foundation)
