Krish Chitale- A Tribute

Chennai has become poorer with  the loss of one more pillar of Chennai Society . S.L.Chitale, popularly known as `Krish` to his legion of friends and well wishers succumbed to the dreadful Cancer on 20^th May,2019. He was 87. The second generation of the well known architectural firm, Chitale & Sons, Krish was  known ,not only for  path breaking designs for buildings but also for his architectural ethics. Between 1952 and 2003, the year Krish handed over the mantle to his son Kapil Chitale, he was  actively involved  in designing landmark buildings in South India and  also gaining reputation as a socially committed human being, who worked relentlessly for the uplift of the downtrodden and needy.

I first met Krish Chitale when he visited Mumbai as the President of Round Table India in 1969, and I was a new member of the Bombay  West Round Table No.6. Krish came across as a serious, self-effacing but determined person. I learnt that he was the founder of Round tables in India. I did not realise then that one day I will be working closely with him not only in  Round Table but also in Rotary, after I moved to Chennai in 1974. Krish was one of those friends who opened a whole new world to me-  a world of wonderful friends and committed social service.. He showed me how fellowship can lead to social service. I can never forget the 8 years I spent as the Founder Trustee and Secretary of Round Table Foundation of which Krish was the Chairman. He was a task master who pushed you to perform to the best of your abilities. Later I was to work closely with him on the Polio pulse campaign of Rotary Clubs, as a publicity convenor. I learnt a lot from him.Those were tough but memorable days.

While he and his son have kept the flag of Chitale & Son flying high as a leading architect firm in South India, Krish’s total involvement in several voluntary organisations helped him gain the

reputation of a social activist with a difference. A true believer in the ‘Service Above Self ’ motto of the RotaryMovement, Krish contributed his professional expertise as an architect free for all the projects he was involved in. All the voluntary organisations he was involved with, including the Masonic Lodge, have been beneficiaries of Krish’s huge network of friends abroad. For his sustained and dedicated service he got several awards from Rotary, including the RI 3230 Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Krish is also known for his penchant for the preservation of heritage in the city. “I am a die-hard believer in conserving heritage buildings. I have made sure that whenever we renovate such buildings, we respect them for what they are because they are our history”.said Krish in an interview for an article I wrote on `Chitales of Madras ` for Madras Musings.

Chitale enjoyed parties and people. Just three  months ago he hosted a dinner for our common friend Bob Chandran at the Madras Club for Bob being conferred the  Life Time Achievement Award by a leading textile Association of India.. When  I met him last month at his home he looked down but not deafeated. Inspite of his failing health, he told me  he continued to attend office for a couple of hours every day. I admired  his spirit. I did not expect  the end to  come so soon.

I am sad that within three months Chennai has  lost three veterans who were role models in my  life .First it was Charukesi, then S. Muthiah and now Krish.  

Please join me in praying for Krish Chitale`s soul to rest in peace!

Arul-my eldest grand son

I remember the day Arul was born. 4^th December,1996. It was around 10.30 am. I was busy giving some instructions to my secretary when the telephone rang.  It was to inform me that my elder daughter Kavitha had given birth to a baby boy. I literally jumped from my seat shouting `I have become a grand father!`. Yes I got my greatest promotion a man or a woman can ever get in life- grant parenthood! I was 54 then. While for the grand mother it was fun with some responsibility; for the grandfather it was all fun  without responsibility. I was ready to have my fun time with my first grandchild. It is indeed a pleasure to watch a baby grow in the first 2 to 3 years. Since my daughter was living in Chennai, my wife & I were lucky to spend some quality time with the baby.  The little baby 23 years ago has grown into an almost 6ft tall young man towering over all of us. All along he has been a good student particularly brilliant in maths- a subject which was a nightmare  to me in my school/college days. While his graduating  from the prestigious Purdue University in USA with distinction was anticipated , when the news accompanied by photographs of the graduation ceremony arrived by Whats App yesterday, I was thrilled beyond words.He is the first graduate from the second generation of Rajan family.

 I did not jump with joy  this time as I did not want to risk dislocating my limbs- considering  my age. However  I was reminded of what my father did when the  youngest of my  siblings ( we are three brothers & a sister) Seshadri became a graduate.  He jumped from  his easy chair shouting `today all my three sons are graduates!` as he himself was not a graduate.

Apart from being a brilliant student Arul is also good at creative writing. I had the privilege of publishing his first book- titled  ` Little Monster`   when he was only 11.  It was a fantasy thriller, full of imagination.  His professors in the college had also noticed his flair for writing and have been encouraging him to write., while pursuing his academic goals. In a couple of months, Arul will be a student in another prestigious University- Carnegie Mellon, where he will be doing  his Masters.

Arul is a mature young man, willing to work hard to achieve his goals.  I am proud of him . I wished his grandmother Prabha was here to see him blossom into a lovable young man. I pray god to bestow on him best of health & a long life. May he realize all his dreams in life  and keep celebrating his life every day!

This piece will not be complete without acknowledging the stupendous role that both RU & Kavitha have played in helping Arul become what he has today. God Bless the family!

`Me Too` or `Him Too`

 The `Me too` campaign of the victims of sexual harassment  by men has caught on in a big way.  Reputations of many celebrities from the films, music,media, politics,business and many other fields lie shattered. Most of the victims have woken up late- some of them  15 to 20 years after the  occurrence of such abuses. This has sent shivers down the pants ( or dhotis) of many other celebrities, who were proud of their conquests , at the height of their careers. Many of them are trying to go down memory lane   to check for any skeletons in their cupboards. No wonder many of them are spending sleepless nights.

Many companies, industry bodies, professional associations have started taking cognizance of this campaign and have started taking actions against  the predators, who suddenly find themselves to be Pariahs! They are  being  shunned  by every one- their friends, colleagues, associates and even family members in some cases. While some of them with deep pockets are taking the legal route to clear their reputations, many others have preferred to lie low until the campaign loses its steam as it happens with many controversies . As it is already happening with the `Me Too` campaign too!

While many  of the affected celebrities  are worried that their entire future has become a question mark, I know of a few octogenerians and nanogenerians, who were notorious  casanovas in  their younger days, who are not worried about the `Me too` phenomenon. One of them, in his early nineties  proudly declared `I am not worried because I have survived most of my  potential accusers.  They are all dead.  Ha!..Ha!...`

A speaker at our Rotary meeting  who  was speaking on the topic, `Sexual harassment at the workplace` threw some interesting insights about this problem. She mentioned that while in many cases  the intentions of the men who were indulging in such acts might  be  innocent banter, it became  a problem when such acts created a negative impact on  the victims. She also advised the women to protest at the first instance of any kind of sexual harassment they experience in their work place so that the offender gets the message loud and clear that they are  upset - even if it is simple double meaning words or an improper touch. If the problem  still persists she advised the victims to  take up the matter with their  superiors or even the CEO, if necessary.

She also surprised the audience by mentioning that research has shown that about 10% of the men also are affected by sexual harassment in the working place by women, apart from homosexuals. Some one  in the audience mentioned that in many of the IT companies where men  & women rub shoulders on a regular basis, it is not unusual for young women  flirting with their bosses or colleagues. Some times against the wishes of the men concerned. What happens in such a situation?  Should the  men also register their protests with the management or may be start a campaign on the lines of `Me Too` campaign. It seems it does exist and is called `Him Too ` and many managements are already taking cognizance of such complaints from men.

The speaker `s advice to men in general - ` Watch carefully for the reaction of the women when you are deliberately or innocently indulging in acts which may be construed as harassment.  If you notice even the slightest resistance do not continue. Also before you indulge in acts of harassment, think  of your reaction to someone  harassing your own wife or daughter or a near and dear one.`

 A good advice applicable to both sexes.

This article has appeared in the Adyar times issue dated , 5-11^th May,2019 under my column `Rajan`s Random Reflections`