a banker turned teacher, mentor, humanist

 A banker turned teacher, mentor, humanist.

At 74, J Raghu is nothing short of a hurricane. The way he climbs stairs or inspires his students to perform to their potential or motivates people to do something good for mankind is truly a sight to watch. Such a never ending energy bundle!

Clad in his simple half sleeve shirts and dhoti most times, he roams the roads of Hyderabad, daily morning with his idli and vada packets. Or with blankets during winters. And, he spares none from his basket of fruits, auto drivers or watchmen!

Generally we have an idea about bankers. Shylocks. Or the servers/agents of capitalists.
Here is one banker who has never stood by the big ones who often waved rules, ever batting for the deserving candidiates, especially youngster enterpreuners, who he believes, are nation builders.

No wonder, SBI didnt credit him with the highest ranks which he truly deserved, only to end his banking career prematurely 4.5 years before term.

Battling a tough life made tougher by destiny in the form of a mentally unwell son, J Raghu had grown from a small time Kurnool village guy to CGM of one of the biggest financial institutions of the world. Serving most of the time in the most tedious inspection department, he was nothing short of a terror to the corrupt and inefficient elements of the system. In his long tenure of around 35 years, he worked in almost all departments, including mutual funds and overseas assignments.

Later on, he became the Chairman of Grameen bank which he left to actively pursue his teaching career which found an able platform in ICICI Manipal banking institute, ICE etc. Raghu sir, for students is not just a teacher. He is an inspiration. Ofcourse, his non forgiving attitude to inefficiency may hurt a few people but none can miss his loveful intentions. His "Duty is God and Work is Worship" attitude is looked high upon even by todays youngsters.

Q) Raghu sir, what made you a humanist?

RE: (Laughs) when some one is suffering, to enjoy one`s good luck is something only a very selfish person can do. One day, long back, i came across a beggar who was eating from the vomit on the road side. It gave me so much anguish and touched me so deep that i decided that, i will do my part to these people.

Q) we have seen you serving beggar kids many a time. once again, any specific experience which triggerred this?

RE: One very hot day, i saw a woman worker toiling in hot sun, her 8 month old baby left away at a distance. The baby was crawling to its mother, but she couldnt afford to give any care. I went to the kid, took him into my lap and comforted it. The mother was so touched. She cried and told me that people of their "levels" were never treated with so much love and affection by the "civilized". Her words affected me deep.

Another incident was the sight of a baby crying for a banana as her labourer mother couldnt even look at her in the middle of her work. When i gave it a banana, the happiness in her eyes can never be forgotten. i am reminded of a funny incident during my college hostel days. I had a very stingy and selfish room mate who used to eat fruits only after i slept. (laughs)

Q) How you became a banker and not an IAS man, which you had pursued first?

RE: yes. after completing my MA in Economincs with a Gold medal from SV University, Tirupaty, my dream was to get into IAS. I wanted to go for coaching in Delhi. But my relatives werent quite supportive and my father couldnt really afford it too. i tried hard, but fell short by 15 marks in the compulsory paper, shattering my dream. My family pressurized me to get into some job immediately. i had a few options including revenue department and audit. But i felt banking will be better for a person of my integrity. (laughs)

Q) What were your biggest challenges in banking?

RE: making customers as well as fellow bankers understand the need to be disciplined, systematic and hardworking was the biggest challenge. One may have to face bouts of bad luck, but most of the time chaos is caused by lack of direction.
Utilizing the power of technology and adhering to the systems without losing humanity was another challenge.

Q) Dont you think banks should be more lenient towards farmers and middle class business houses when so many huge corporates get away with minimum damages for non payment of loans?
RE: there are many schemes and opportunities for farmers to clear their dues, but as said before it needs more direction. When it comes to rules and laws, we need to adhere to a system or the system will naturally get corrupt.

Q) who inspired you the most in your life?
RE: my mother, who was an eternal support.
my economics professor, GV Krishna Moorthy, who inspired me to expand my horizons of knowledge and exposure.
A few friends and colleagues.

Q) Tell us something about your father and family?
Re: My father was a Law Graduate during British India. He was a Magistrate. His honesty, dedication and integrity drove me in that direction. My mother was a very spiritual woman. i am the only son of their 5 children. My sisters too are very loving and kind.

Q) As a student what was the quality in you that your teachers appreciated the most?
RE: almost in every class, including MA, my classmates were asked to learn the way i comprehended and presented the subjects with clarity. So i think, it is clarity of thought.

Q) as a teacher what is it that you value the most in your students?
RE: dont limit yourself to your apparent potential. Challenge yourself. Grow.
But more than anything, be a righteous human.

contact for guidance: J RAGHU
+91-9849187268