From time immemorial there had been legendary heroes, some may be fictitious described in famous stories and novels and many had been real according to the documented history written by famous historians.
The era of Legendary heroes has never ended and even in the 21st century we have seen these heroes in several fields,
But some are getting great publicity and few just remain in the dormant and their great services are only remembered and appreciated by a small area of society although their unstinted services with foresight have lighted the lives of hundreds of youths who are now respected employees of Government Banks Statutory Boards and Public Companies. One such person was Late Sivachandrathevan for whom we take our hats off and salute with loyalty and gratefulness.
I knew him when I was working as the Assistant General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon in early 2003 onwards. He also being a Banker attached to our sister Bank, People’s Bank was known to me as a fellow Banker. Also I was made to understand that he was running a Training Center for youths of Vadamaradchy who had completed their secondary education.
At that time due to the then ongoing civil unrest the Bank of Ceylon Branches in the Northern Province (Jaffna, Wanni and Mannar Districts) faced a severe shortage manpower especially in the lower grades.
Therefore I had to constantly request our management to sort out this grave manpower problem.
But I was categorically informed that due to the then prevailing situation there was no possibility for new recruitment,
Then knowing that educated and trained youths were at the disposal of Late Sivachandrathevan who had a long list of youths waiting for suitable jobs I contacted him. I somehow or other wanted the Bank of Ceylon Branches to run smoothly and not to decline its effectiveness due to the manpower problem. I then submitted a strong memorandum recommending at least to obtain the services of qualified youths on an outsourced basis, to cover the work handled by the lower grades. After several rounds of discussions with the higher management I obtained permission to outsource manpower to cover the duties of labourers, peons and typists. I had to convince the management that the outsourced people can even perform clerical work.
Finally they agreed to obtain the services of these outsourced employees.
But the management named the employees of the first category as MULTI DUTY ASSISTANTS instead of the existing peons and labour grades and secondly typists. Whenever requested they must be willing to perform minor clerical duties. So these positions were termed as above viz. MDAs and typists
After obtaining this approval I contacted the legendary hero to obtain the outsourced employees to work in the Bank in the above two categories.
But there was a stumbling block.
The constitution of the Vadamaradchy Steno Club had no provision for outsourcing employees.
This is the time when Late Sivachandrathevan rose up to the occasion. At my request he had a discussion with his Board Members and agreed to amend the constitution of the club to accommodate this function of outsourcing employees.
After finalising everything the Bank was satisfied that all legal matters had been looked into and then the Bank of Ceylon obtained the services of almost 111 outsourced employees for all the districts in the Northern Province (Multi Duty Assistants and Steno/Typists. Youths from the respective districts were deployed to Branches closer to them.
Sometime later after being satisfied with the services of these youths the Bank of Ceylon subsequently absorbed these outsourced employees into the permanent cadre under the same name subject to being allowed to join the inservice promotional scheme, so that they can rise up to higher grades. However before permanency the typists had to face a qualifying examination.
But only about 42 youths were benefited under the permanent recruitment as all others left the Bank for other employments and personal reasons such as marriage of lady employees.
The reason for recalling the above was to stress upon two things:
(a) The determination of our hero to get employment to youths trained by his Institution.
(b) For going to the extent of amending the constitution of the Steno Club for the future benefit of his trainees after going through laborious departmental procedures.
Today as far as I know, more than 500 youths trained by him are working in Government Departments, Banks and reputed Companies including the Courts.
I do not think anybody would have helped about 500 youths to live comfortably with their families with a solid income.
So what is wrong in calling him as a silent legendary hero?
I heard that even his departure from this world was so calmful and silent. This shows how the Almighty has treated him.
I am sure his children will become respectable citizens of this society recognized by all.
I pray God to give solace to his better half and the children. Let time give them peace.
God bless them.
K.Balasubramaniam
Retd. Assistant General Manager,
Northern Province,
Bank of Ceylon.
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