Gems of PAU Botany: Satish Kalra 1971 Batch

 

Satish Kalra: My Story

I joined PAU Ludhiana in 1971 for an integrated MSc Hons in Botany. The idea was to become a Scientist and PAU provided ideal ecosystem with trimester system, students attached to an adviser, studies based on library assignments and references to research journals, interdisciplinary approach and guidance eminent scientists like Dr Malik, Dr OS Singh, Dr AK Srivastava, Dr Goraya, Dr Puri and Dr Bhatia etc as our mentors. I was so enthusiastic & idealistic in my studies that if I felt that I have not understood a course I would drop the final exam voluntarily and would repeat the course to have proper understanding of the subject matter. Even as an undergraduate student I used to study reference books and used to be very inquisitive in seminars. I recall that when I asked some questions from Dr PN Mehra (of Punjab University) he surmised if I am a student of PhD.

But alas! for some reasons I had to abort my studies and join as a clerk in Bank of India even when my graduation was not complete. I started feeling so small that I cut off myself from the Department although I used to visit PAU and more particularly its library. Somehow, I completed my pending courses and got BSc Hons with good OGPA.

But a man is known not by his position but by his personal qualities. Innings at PAU gave me temper for Scientific Methods and temper. As soon as I completed graduation I participated in competition exams as Probationary Officer in various Banks. Soon I was selected in many banks but I opted for Punjab National Bank in Nov 1977 as a Management Trainee.

Banking opened new vistas in life. Soon I realized that Banks accept deposits of money payable on demand and use this money for giving loans. This is a big responsibility. People deposit their money in a bank they trust and we as bankers have to give loans to those whom we trust as Banker. With loans people run their business or buy their property.

As banker it was my responsibility to understand the requirements of the clients and provide the best possible solutions, which suited the needs of the client and resulted in profitable banking relationship for the bank. For 23 years I served farmers, traders, and people in small business & MSME. This all gave me extensive experience and interest in the areas of Financial Inclusion, Micro-Finance, Joint Liability groups, Livelihoods and Urban Poverty. Later after promotion to Senior Management Positions I served various states as Area Head. To quote: 2002-04 as Regional Manager, Bathinda, 2004-07 as Senior Regional Manager Sriganganagar (Rajasthan), 2007-09 as Zonal Manager North East Circle, Guwahati and then 2009-11 as Circle Head, Karnataka with HQ at Bangalore. Finally I retired as Country Head Financial Inclusion from Head Office of Punjab National Bank in New Delhi. These assignments not only gave me opportunity to understand culture of various parts of India but also earned me many recognitions & awards in the bank and from respective state Govt.

In my second innings (2013-15) I got an assignment to set up a Center of Excellence in Banking in IFIM Business School, Bangalore followed by additional responsibility as Dean Planning & Development. This tenure gave me an opportunity to understand the challenges in developing holistic, socially responsible and continuously employable professionals. During 2018-19 I was taken in as a consultant with Sri Sri University, Bhubneshwar. Of late, I am associated with Art of Living Bangalore.

I am happy with my life. Association with PAU gave me a temperament for undertaking proper review of literature the temper of a scientist, thanks to mentors like Dr CP Malik & Dr OS Singh. It also gave me a sense of competition. Having aborted my studies in PAU I had dream to become a teacher at least. This dream was finally achieved when I ended up as Director, Centre of Excellence in Banking in a Business School followed by additional responsibility as Dean.

I am blessed to have Rita as my life partner and my daughter Mansi and son Himanshu are both graduates from IIT’s and well placed. My son Himanshu, after his tenure as an Investment Banker in Deustch Bank, London   spent five years in social service during which he was part of the team to revive rivers in South India.

I had lifelong association with spiritual organizations. Initially I was inspired by my Spiritual Guru Swami Vigyananand from whom I got initiation even before joining PAU. My salute to that great soul. Then I remained associated with the Divine Life Society Rishikesh & Ramakrishna Mission. Presently I am associated with Art of Living. This association is brought to me by my son Mr Himanshu Kalra. I am also associated with a project with my son-in-law Mr Gaurav Batra who is involved in digitization  of Education. His innovative skills has made it possible to make digital publications to learn the difficult lessons of Science easily with animation.  His company Nylytn Learning Systems Pvt Ltd has made a make mark in the sector. My daughter is a Technical Associate with NTU, Singapore and looks after giving consultation in Re-Insurance.

Of late, I continue to hold interest in understanding life by following spiritual path with Art of Living, Bangalore. I will be  67 on 18^th Aug this year and I feel now I have no responsibility. I am free to complete my inning of life anytime.

iamsatishkalra@gmail.com

Bangalore 08.08.2020

Comments: 

Sunil Talwar: Kalra ji: Very impressive, interesting and inspiring journey! A lot to learn from you. Very nicely compiled. Thanks!!

Arvinder Billa: What a nice Journey Satish Jee. From Botany to Banking, and after going through all experiences of life to Art of Living,which teaches you be Positive way of life and Enjoy well as much as possible. Keep it up.

Arvinder Kapoor: What a journey Satish Challenges always make a  person more aggressive and successful . Ultimately  you want peaceful and contended life. Enjoy your present passion.

Sangat Kalsi: Great and very inspiring story Satish Ji. Life is all about challenges and the winners are those who do not quit to overcome challenges and not those who surrender. Salute to you for a Choosing a great path to life. Stay healthy and be peace with you.

Anju Bhandari: What a lovely story Satish Ji... well written. A successful and challenging life . I can imagine that to be involved in Art of living must be very satisfying and peaceful for the soul. God bless you with long, happy and healthy life !

Iqbal Bhandal:  Great story Satish ji, a journey full of life challenges and tremendous achievements, Salute👏🙏

Madhu (Bansal) Wadhera: Beautiful & interested life journey with so much contentment  - that's what ultimately matters. Keep on enjoying your passions. 👍👍

Dr Satinder Sandhu:  A journey well travelled Kalra sir. Best wishes

Neeru Bhambri:  Satish what a impressive journey of life. Beautiful story starting from PAU student life, Era of banking, and great achievement taking responsibility of Dean.The best part is now relaxing and enjoying art

of living in divine environment.Very well narrated. Congratulations on your great   . Wish you all the very best in life: Neeru

Joginder Minhas: Great inspiring and long journey from bankin to management to spiritual seeking.

Arvind Allipuria:  What an illustrious   and diversified journey, worth emulating.  Spiritual part is the highlight of the journey. Well done Satish ji: Arvind

Vijay Kumar:  Very diversified and inspiring journey, Sir. Congratulations.

Gurinder Randhawa: It is really heartening to go through the beautiful and unique journeys of our seniors right from Dr.Joginder, Satish Kalra Ji and Dr.Sangat Kals. All three are stars in their own ways and left a mark in the places where they were rather they excelled and rose to the very top in their professions and brought back the laurels to Botany Department. They all are generous to share their stories so beautifully I don't think corridors of Botany Department ever thought that the naughty boys of yesterday would be stars of Tomorrow. Three cheers to all these stars👏👏👏

Rajni Gupta: Great journeys ,huge achievements n contributions to the society ! We could have never known about these inspiring stories of our seniors . Thanks Neeru didi for making so many efforts to form this group which is now a treat to our souls .

Subash Gupta: Dear Ravi, Sangat, Satish, Joginder your personal and professional stories are incredible and I am truly impressed. Thank you for sharing. I also thank Neeru for starting this group in honor to Dr. Malik. I also got to know many of you with whom I had not interacted during PAU time. Let us continue to interact as your time permits.