The Rotary Club of Coimbatore has conferred the Pride of Coimbatore Award on the Chairman and Managing Director of Andhra Bank CVR Rajendran for his contribution to the banking industry for over four decades.

Rajendran, a native of Devakottai, started his career as a clerk in Corporation Bank in the mid-70s. He served in various capacities across the country before being appointed to the helm at Andhra Bank.

He served as General Manager of Corporation Bank, Executive Director of Bank of Maharashtra and Non-Executive Director of the MCX Stock Exchange, before his present appointment as CMD of Andhra Bank.

In his acceptance speech Rajendran recalled some memorable instances from his years in the industry.

“I was a tough person in the early years of my career. I remember how I had honked continuously when I had to drive past a bullock cart on one of the rural roads near Pollachi. By the time the cart-man made way, he had lost patience. “Did you have to take such a long time to move?” I shot at him, only to be completely dumbstruck when he calmly replied, “Sir, I am hard of hearing. No worry, though, you proceed Sir.”

“The cart-man’s calm reply and polite behaviour left a deep mark. I realised that I need not have been so rude.”

“In another instance, I remember this chaiwalla in Tirupur, who used to supply our bank staff tea and vada regularly. When he learnt of my transfer to Mumbai, he casually asked me, ‘Sir, why can’t you advance Rs 5 lakh before you leave this town so I can diversify into textiles as well?’

“I was apprehensive initially, but my gut feeling got the better of me. I took his 2-acre plot of land as collateral for the loan, sanctioned the loan, and left for Mumbai.

“Some years later, on a visit to Coimbatore, this gentleman called to say that he would pick me at the airport. I then realised that the chaiwalla had emerged a successful garment exporter,” the Andhra Bank CMD said, without divulging the name of the chaiwalla-turned-garment exporter.

Rajendran went on to quote a verse from the Thirukurral, paused and told the audience “if one has something to loose, he becomes an employee, but when he has nothing to loose, he becomes an entrepreneur. Adopt best risk mitigation practices,” adding in a lighter vein “don't invest your money”, quickly clarifying the remark by stating “banks are here to fund projects/ initiatives”.

He called upon the audience to be more confident and enterprising. “The entrepreneurial cult of the people here should have taken the city to much greater heights. You have visionaries here, but have stagnated in the growth path somewhere.”

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