Mr. Pattabhi Raman former GM SBH no more

Shri Pattabhi Raman, former GM, SBH attains Sadgati

Shri Pattabhi Raman, (Pattabhi) former General Manager of State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) is no more. (His daughter messaged me yesterday). As late as 14th April 2024, we were in touch (He wished me on Tamil New Year Day and I responded). It is an irreparable personal loss to me. In my banking career, two persons were mainly responsible for moulding me as a person and in bringing out the best out of me in the positions I held. One was Shri Christopher Hickman, my chief manager in State Bank of Travancore, Mount Road (1990-93) and the other was Shri Pattabhi Raman. He came on deputation from SBH to SBT and was the deputy general manager (DGM) of the then Trivandrum Zone (1997-2000), where I worked as manager (planning).  

The moment I remember him, I recollect the different facets exhibited. He was stylish (resembling actor Dharmendra), had an attractive walking posture (resembling actor Shivaji Ganesan) and earned respect, even before he occupied his seat as a host in his chamber or as a visitor in any other place. The same 'Pattabhi' will look so different, when he prepares himself for a 'sabarimala yatra', year after year. He used to attend office ‘bare feet’, slack shirt, "kaavi' or green dhoti with an 'angawasthram' on his neck, like a garland. The attire did not change, whether he visited branches or for interaction meetings with the top bosses in head office. He won the hearts of every one in SBT, by demonstrating from day one about his belonging to the organization. He used to call the branch managers/other officers after 5 PM to find out whether the branch suffers from the 'commuting syndrome' of officers (travelling from branches to their home towns every day). His famous statement "Whether the wife will leave him (the officer concerned), if he does not reach home before 6.30/7 pm everyday" was usually quoted with love and affection by many. He brought the focus of being the number one in business, in the minds of every one. He was keen to learn Malayalam the hard way, though with mixed Tamil and Telugu accents. (He once pronounced 'kazhakoottam' as 'kizhakootam', meaning crowd of old people in Tamil, making everyone around laugh). The staff of the zone had so much love for him that when he fell from the terrace, prior to his leaving for his parent bank on transfer from SBT, the entire staff were in the hospital to take care of him. (Please remember his send off meeting was over and he was staying alone in Trivandrum, the family being in Hyderabad). 

I want to quote two incidents that stood as a proof that he valued personal relationship beyond conflicts, which arose due to opposing positions held by the individuals concerned.

1. I was the assistant secretary of ABOA:Unit SBT, Trivandrum Zone and a zonal structured meeting was arranged at 3 PM on a working day. Shri Pattabhi went on a branch visit to Kottarakara and did not turn up. We felt it as an affront to the association. When the structured meeting was held subsequently, I was unduly harsh on the treatment meted out to us on that day. Shri Pattabhi took it in his stride and the meeting went on professionally. And he did not allow the incident to affect our personal relationship, by being himself as before. 

2. Late Shri Ramdas was the zonal secretary of SBT employees union (SBTEU) at that time. Shri Ramdas had lot of differences with the DGM Shri Pattabhi Raman and one day the union even organised their staff to assemble in large numbers in DGM sectt. Shri Pattabhi never lost his composure and never allowed him to lose his personal relationship with Shri Ramdas. Both of them were always seen together in all the 'bhajans' that were performed in one of the homes in and around Chalai, Trivandrum on Saturdays and Sundays. When Shri Ramdas passed away, Shri Pattabhi came all the way from Hyderabad to pay his last respects.

When I joined SBH as CGM (Retail), he never took the liberty to walk into my cabin straightaway and the visit will always be after informing my personal secretary Shri Sravan Kumar in advance. There was absolutely no need, but he maintained the decorum. He led a simple life and he used to come to my house in Hyderabad by a old two wheeler 'kinetic honda'. When I asked him, he said 'I used to walk/travel by bus but purchased the two wheeler as it was offered for Rs.1000 by my old friend'. 

Whether the earth will be privileged to witness another Pattabhi? I do not think so. At least not during my lifetime.

With his cherished memories, still occupying my mind, I close. May he continue to bless.

Regards

V.Viswanathan

24th May 2024