SBHians Day to remember
SBHians: Happy SBH Day, the 5th April
It was sometime in March 2015. Our SBH MD Shri Santanu Mukherjee was admitted in a hospital in Hyderabad, following a sudden suspected stomach infection. Me and the other CGM Shri Jasbir Singh Aneja, (Shri Aneja) met him in the hospital and while returning, both of us were much worried about his health condition. The next morning, since Shri Aneja's house door was not opened even after repeated pressing of 'alarm bell' and knocks on the door, his car driver came to my house (Both of us were staying in 'SBH Abode', the bank's residential complex in Secunderabad) to apprise the situation. I permitted him to open the door and Shri Aneja was found unconscious. The doctor came, inspected and declared that he is no more, probably due to a massive heart attack that occurred in the early morning hours. The entire bank staff were stunned by the happening of the above two developments, within a fortnight, and the financial year end was fast approaching. I was asked to hold 'the fort' temporarily by SBI and the entire SBH management team assured me that everyone will put in their best efforts to ensure a sound and healthy financial results for the FY2014-15. And March 31, 2015 was past behind us.
SBH agreed to have an ATM in the birth place of the then CM of Telengana, Shri K. Chandrasekar Rao, which was in Siddipet Constituency (Chintamadaka Village ). On account of the importance attached to the opening of an ATM in the then CM's birthplace, I had to be there for its inauguration in April 2015. After the inauguration was over, I had to accompany the guests for the lunch arranged by the locals and the list of guests included Shri T. Harish Rao, Minister of Health and Finance in the then Telengana Government. To my and others' dismay, no vegetarian food was found on the table. I took plain cooked rice with water and while eating, I felt that it was not properly steamed. The next day, I had a fever and took a day's leave with due information to Associate Banks' Department, SBI. The doctor advised me to take some antibiotics as he diagnosed it as stomach infection. I got calls from everywhere and even SBI CGM called me in the night to confirm my state of well being. I realized that all the staff sentimentally feared that the bank is going through 'bad omen' and to dispel it, I must attend the office the next day. So, though not fully recovered, I attended the office the next day. At that time, construction of a new auditorium in the top floor was also in process. Some people attached 'bad omen' to that also. So to make people believe that the bank and the staff are always blessed with 'good omens' only, I conducted the head office staff retirement function in that auditorium (Officially inaugurated by the SBI Chairperson much later). Our beloved MD Shri Santanu Mukherjee recovered fully in due course and took the bank to still greater heights in FY 2015-16. The bank also celebrated its 75th year of existence in a grand manner in FY 2016-17.
I remembered the above incidents and wanted to share with SBHians on the SBH Day.
Nine years have passed by, since I retired on 31st March 2017. Officially, I entered the 70s*, eligible to be called a septuagenarian. No more frequent phone calls or WhatsApp messages from me or the SBHians. Only on certain occasions, still some people do call me or send messages. From my side also, the same conditions apply. Not calling or not in touch never mean that the heart is not retaining the memories/affectionate persons. I want to tell everyone in SBH that I fondly remember my days in SBH as it was the last innings in my banking career and my retirement day coincided with the day on which SBH also merged with SBI. Cherished memories last a life time. And so is mine with everyone of you.
Happy SBH Day.
Regards
V.Viswanathan
5th April 2026.
*Official: 18.03.1957 Actual: 10.03.1958
Very refreshing reminiscences
ReplyDeleteGreat memories... Sir you were in hyderabad. No information. Ayyo
DeleteWell said, Sir.
ReplyDeleteHarihar Rao
Thank you Viswanathan Sir for a wonderful post. With very little stay in SBH, you had somany memories/experiences. I have 42 years of association with our mighty Bank, lot many memories I cherish, if I start mentioning, they will run into lot of pages.
ReplyDeleteDear Viswanathan Sir,
ReplyDeleteIt is truly heartening to read these reminiscences.
I am Vulli Sreekanth, and I had the privilege of working as a Marketing Executive at the UAE during your tenure. Even from a distance, your leadership during those challenging days of 2015 was a source of immense inspiration for us.
The way you "held the fort" and displayed such exemplary leadership and composure during one of the toughest periods in SBH’s history is something I still vividly remember and admire to this day.
Wishing you a very Happy SBH Day, Sir.
Warm regards,
Sreekanth Vulli
Thank you Sreekanth V. God bless
DeleteSimple living & high thinking are your hallmarks.Vividly remembered the confidence you inbibed in me as an honest soldier of SBH
ReplyDeleteThank you
Delete🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteDear Visu,
ReplyDeleteI read your “SBHians Day to Remember” note with great interest and a deep sense of connection. Your narration beautifully brings out not only the sequence of events, but also the sense of responsibility, leadership, and emotional strength you carried during that challenging period.
The developments during March–April 2015, particularly the illness of Shri Santanu Mukherjee and the sudden demise of Shri Jasbir Singh Aneja, must have been extremely testing times. In such a situation, the way you stepped in to hold the fort at a crucial financial year-end speaks volumes about your composure and commitment. It is truly appreciable how the entire SBH team rallied together under your guidance to deliver stability and good results.
The Siddipet–Chintamadaka episode was equally striking. Despite your own health discomfort, your decision to attend office the very next day—mainly to dispel the prevailing sentiment of a “bad omen”—clearly reflects your deep concern for staff morale and your sense of duty.
Your initiative to conduct the retirement function in the new auditorium, setting aside all apprehensions, is a fine example of positive leadership. Such actions would have certainly reassured everyone and reinforced confidence within the organization. It is no surprise that the bank went on to achieve greater heights and celebrate its 75th year in a grand manner.
Your reflections on life after retirement were particularly touching. Having myself retired from SBI as Deputy Manager, I could closely relate to your thoughts—though interactions may become less frequent over time, the bonds, memories, and affection always remain intact.
Your association with SBH during its final phase, coinciding with its merger with SBI, indeed gives a unique completeness to your banking journey. These are truly cherished memories that stay for a lifetime.
Thank you for sharing such a meaningful and heartfelt note. It was both inspiring and nostalgic to read.
Wishing you good health, happiness, and many more such reflections.
Warm regards,
Shankar Krishnan
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you Shankar. Humbled and overwhelmed. God bless
DeleteNostalgic memories. During the meeting with you always we felt very happy because of your helping attitude. Wish you good health.
ReplyDeleteDear sri. Viswanathan Ji Nice to read your sweet memories with regard to our SBH , the most vibrant bank with dedicated and vibrant Executives and Staff. Customer focus and bank’s business development is was the the focus . I too enjoyed my stint in the banks as Zonal Head of Secunderabad zone and your support as CGM of the SBH. Regards
ReplyDeleteRead the events of ' bad Omens' and sorry to note that we had lost Aneja Sir during the period. His dedication and enthusiasm in managing NPA Portfolio was astounding.
ReplyDeleteIn fact the deft handling of matters by you at the Top was laudable. Your participative talks in Review meetings was really appreciative. As Zonal Head of Kalaburagi Zone I received laurels for ' II highest recovery of NPA ' ( next to Khammam Zone) in the Bank' for 2 successive years with the support of all of you at the Top. Thanks sir for all the support I received.
The nostalgic events at SBH, that you have explained are heart touching Sir. The sad demise of Aneja Sir was shocking to all of us.
ReplyDeleteSBH memories are always wonderful. My SBH stint from 2012-15 was the best part of my Banking career. I still preserve your appreciation letter dtd 20.11.2014 when I was DGM Vijayawada Zone.
Long live the great legacy of MY SBH.