It was exactly a year ago, in the first week of January 2017 that I did an interview (“Inspiring life story - Humble beginnings to great success.”) with an achiever from humble beginnings. He had not only risen to make a better life for himself but made significant contribution to society. ( Link: https://hrdian.blogspot.in/2017/01/inspiring-life-story-humble-beginnings.html) Seeing the enthusiasm of readers then, I had felt that more such success stories of people around us need to be highlighted through interviews. This post is an attempt towards this end.
In this
post, I am interviewing Mr.S.Sundar Rajan, Director SRS Management Services Pvt
Ltd Chennai. He is a chartered accountant with over three decades of experience
in the field of accounts, auditing, process implementation and due diligence.
It is
interesting to note that I first met Mr. Sundar not in his professional
capacity but at a poetic meet. The organizers had allotted time during the last
leg of our get together to do some shopping. Everyone was enthusiastically
buying banana chips, tapioca chips and other local special varieties of chips
of Kerala to take back home. I noticed that Sundar was buying a lot more than
the others.
So I asked
“why so much?” to which he replied that it was for his office family consisting
of around 20 members. I was impressed by his response and told myself in the
mind “Here is a guy who knows how to motivate his people!” Personal touch is so
very important and effective, particularly in small organizations for inspiring
your employees to give their best. Later, I requested Sundar for an interview
to which he readily agreed. He turned out to be a multifaceted or if you prefer
a multi-talented personality.
Rajeev
Moothedath (RM): Greetings Sundar! It
is a great pleasure to interact with you. Could you share some details about
your childhood?
Sundar Rajan
(SR): Hello Rajeev, it is
a pleasure talking to you as well. I was born in Chennai and have lived
here all my life. I am blessed with loving parents who have always been a
source of strength. They guided me and my siblings to adopt good values in life
I am the
youngest in our family of three brothers and a sister. We are a close-knit family. I did my schooling in a
convent, Don Bosco Matriculation School, which has given me a strong
foundation. The fond memories of those days are being adjudged the outstanding
student in school and winning a gold medal instituted by the Lions Club.
RM: Chennai was Madras during your childhood
days. What are the important changes you have witnessed in the city?
SR: When we were growing up, Madras was still
known to be a very conservative city. I did my graduation in science with
Mathematics as major in A.M.Jain College.
Those days, there
was generally a closed outlook. Today, there has been a sea change.
Chennai has become more cosmopolitan. There has been a steady flow of
immigrants from other parts of India. The residents of Chennai have also been
open and accepting of the changes. I now have
exposure to more variety of people and a better understanding of people one
comes across in the journey of life.
RM: I understand that you were into athletics
and the game of cricket during college days. Tell us more of this period.
SR: Well, we were a bunch of guys who simply
loved cricket! I was fortunate to represent not only my school and college but
also a club in the cricket league organized by the Tamil Nadu Cricket
Association. I
attended two cricket coaching camps conducted by the Tamil Nadu Cricket
Association.
The camps
were a lot of fun not only because we enjoyed playing and learning but also
because it gave opportunities for chatting up and building friendships with
fellow cricketers from other districts. We had excellent coaches in Mr. Mustaq
Ali, former India test cricketer and Mr. Kamath from Mumbai.
Our bond is
so strong that even today we continue to keep in touch through the alumni association and play a cricket match
together every year. For 47 years, our
association has also been organizing an annual All India cricket tournament of
30 0vers a side, As an athlete, I won many prizes in track
events in school and college meets.
RM: Sunder, tell us about your first job
experience. What was the reason you decided to quit working and start your own
partnership firm?
SR: After clearing my Intermediate in Chartered
Accountancy, I applied for Industrial Training in Ashok Leyland Ltd and was
accepted. On completion of my Chartered
Accountancy, I was formally recruited in the same company and posted to
the Internal Audit Dept.
My job
involved touring across India and it was
a very good experience professionally. It also enabled me to polish my people
handling skills. An auditor is generally looked upon as a person whose major
mission is faultfinding. However,
without compromising on my role, I built up a good relationship with my
auditees, encouraging them to avoid making likely mistakes. This approach has
continued and has blossomed over the years.
Perhaps my
adventurous streak prompted me to team up with my schoolmate and start a
chartered accountancy firm after three years of working for Ashok Leyland. When
we started;,
we had no clients but only the belief in ourselves with an ambition and
determination to succeed.
RM: What were the challenges you faced in floating
a start-up ?
SR: The twin challenges we initially faced were
getting clients and having a monthly cash flow for office and domestic
requirements. We gave lot of importance and focused on servicing
and meeting our client’s requirements. Gradually, happy with our work, they referred
us to their contacts and our practice began to grow.
Another
challenge we faced at a particular stage was flattening of the revenue, as we
recruited more employees since the company was growing. However, this turned
out to be a blessing in disguise as we put in extra efforts for increasing our
customer base and the number of customers.
RM: I
have noticed that you are a team person; always motivating and encouraging
others to do new things and in a better manner. When and how do you think this
trait developed as a part of your personality?
SR: I should say that my family background and
sports have played a significant role in this regard. Cricket as we all know is
a team game. At school, the students were
divided into houses and we took pride in performing well as a team in any
activity and to win as a team. In athletics too, our relay teams focused on
teamwork.
In the work
area also, as a Director of the company, I felt the need for building a
good team for the long-term growth of the organization. This, I surmised can be achieved by identifying the strengths
in each individual, training and tuning the employees to the current requirements/demands of the work.
This involves building the confidence of the
employee for handling the challenges, motivating and appreciating him/her in
public when a job is well done.
When there
is a slip up, I talk to the staff in private and counsel them so that the
mistakes do not recur.
RM: Tell us about your interest in poetry. How a
chartered accountant (a profession where the practitioners are serious and
matter of fact) became a poet and a published author?
SR: It was during my final year in college. One
day, I stumbled upon the “Poet” in me and told myself to give it a “try” which
culminated in my first poem. This success encouraged my interest in Poe(t)ry and
before I knew it, I became an amateur
poet.
Much later, with the advent of social media, I
started sharing my poems with friends and relatives who expressed a lot of
interest and encouragement. The positive feedback and support motivated me to
write more and today I can proudly claim to be a published poet. My maiden book
"Beyond the Realms" was released in 2016.
RM: I know that you are a nature lover who has
developed a beautiful garden around your home. Can you tell us more about this
passion?
SR: I have been a nature lover right from my
school days. It is a blessing that I have green fingers too. The occasion to
put this talent to use came when we moved our residence from the bustling city
to the outskirts. I developed a good garden in the space available, with a wide
variety of plants.
The
government of Tamil Nadu also encourages citizens to grow organic kitchen
gardens on the terrace. I made use of the facilities provided to fulfil my
passion for gardening. In this connection, I also have the support of many
well-wishers.
RM: Finally Sundar,
it is heartening to note that in spite of having so many things on your plate,
you find time for social service. Could you tell us more about these
activities?
SR:I have started a tree planting exercise in
my neighbourhood with the support of willing residents. I am spreading the
message of “Achieving a green
neighbourhood”- by every resident adopting a tree and taking care of it. The
response has been by and large, positive.
I act as a
catalyst in such ventures. I have adopted a village, Nemili near
Mahaballipuram, where every six months we organize medical
camps for general health, eye check-up and cancer screening. We have a team of
dedicated doctors in each speciality for this exercise. The medical camps are extended to other rural
areas also whenever there is an opportunity.
I feel great satisfaction to be
able to give back something to the society that has contributed a lot to making
me, who I am today. I see many avenues opening up before
me. I find that boundaries are merely what people perceive as limits. Therefore,
I have coined the byline-“Boundless Boundaries Beckon” and seek to live by it.
RM: Thank you so much Sundar. It is not often
that one gets to interview a multifaceted personality like you. I am sure that
the readers would be inspired by your story. May the Almighty continue to give
you good health and strength to contribute even more in all the areas of your
interest in the days to come.
SR: Thank
you. It was a pleasure talking to you Rajeev.
