By: Dr. G.R. Vijayakumar
On March 19, 1924, in Ganjigunte, near Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, India, Ganjigunte Venkateshaiyer Rama Iyer was born to Lakshmi Amma and Venkatesha Iyer, an ordinary schoolteacher. To the world, he was Ganjigunte Venkatesha Rama Iyer, a visionary, the architect of Wealth and Asset Management, the man who transformed many lives in and around his spectrum and landscape. To me, he was my father – a guiding star, a source of boundless inspiration, and a living embodiment of devotion to Shirdi Sai Baba.
Through his life, I found not just lessons on ideal life but the very essence of what it means to live purposefully and leave an indelible mark. The foundation of his greatness lay in his unshakeable faith, humility, and relentless determination. My father often found solace in the teachings of Sai Satcharita and the Hanuman Chalisa, his go-to source of wisdom and strength. Like Hanuman, he believed that with faith and effort, as enunciated by Sai Maharaj, even the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.
One line he frequently quoted was: “Buddhiheen Tanu Jaanike, Sumirau Pavan Kumar; Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Vikaar” – Understanding my limitations, I bow to Hanuman; bless me with strength, wisdom, and knowledge, and remove my flaws and grief. For him, this prayer was not just a call to Hanuman and Lord Sainath for divine help but a reminder of the infinite potential within each of us, waiting to be unlocked through persistence and faith. My father’s journey from a modest Karnataka village to the pinnacle of the Insurance business – he won State level top-notch for six successive years from 1950 to 1956 was nothing short of a modern epic with appreciation from marketing and financial wizards.
Starting with a mere few rupees in his pocket, he dreamed of creating Savings and Insurance as a household name that would serve millions. “Dream big,” he would always say. His belief in hard work echoed the words of Hanuman Chalisa: “Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Aatur” – Eager to fulfill the work of Lord Ram. He approached every challenge with the same fervor – be it setting up business in a world dominated by giants or overcoming the cynicism of naysayers. For him, work was worship, and every obstacle was an opportunity to serve a larger purpose.
As his son, I had the privilege of witnessing his unwavering commitment to empowering others. He always believed that wealth is a means to create a better society, not an end. He often reminded us, “A leader is not the one who leads; a leader is the one who builds more leaders and can attract followers.”
The most profound lesson I learned from him was to never lose faith in the face of adversity. Like Hanuman’s leap to Lanka, his life was a testament to the idea that no distance is too far no mountain too high, if your intentions are pure and your heart resolute. “Naasai Rog Harai Sab Peera, Japat Nirantar Hanumat Beera” – He destroys all ailments and suffering for those who chant his name continuously. Today, as I became a Doctor of e-service Medicine, I walk in his footsteps in the service of society with no greed or selfish tendencies, I hold his lessons close to my heart. He was, and always will be, my greatest teacher – a living example of what it means to dream fearlessly, live purposefully, and lead with humility.
Kanchi Paramacharya was my father’s Guru of adoration, and as per his guidance, my father prayed daily to the rising sun as a sign of humility and commitment. He would say, “Aditya Hridayam Punyam.” It reminds us that the sun is a reflection of divine strength. It teaches us courage, energy, and focus. My father would tell me it means life will challenge you, but like the sun, rise again every day, undeterred.
May his spirit continue to inspire countless others to leap across their own oceans of doubt and achieve the extraordinary. When I asked my Guru Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji, “Why did my father leave us at the age of 53?” He answered calmly, “Your father had done all he could here on earth – for us, for people, and above all, for poor people. Lord Sainath wanted him to come to heaven and serve Him there.”
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