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The ‘cartman’ full of ideas

Photo:Vipin Chandran

Management guru Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy has prepared many projects for the improvemnet of the country

There are so many distinct sides to Professor N. S. Ramaswamy. The thoughtful, brilliant thinker, the Bhishmacharya of the Management movement in the country, a strong campaigner for animal welfare, teacher, consultant, advisor to various NGOs, gover nmental, educational institutions, an earnest, selfless, concerned citizen, a man with rock-like values, on one side. On the other there is the simple, jocular, kind man, with a sharp sense of humour and a positive attitude to life.

Talk to him, and you understand that each of the versions he represents is authentic and irrepressible, one never too far removed from the other. The National Professor, Padma Bhushan awardee, has so many portfolios attached to his name that he has a four-page printed bio-data given as a hand out. That’s his visiting card to his pioneering contributions in various walks of life.

Ramaswamy, the founder-director of IIM, Bangalore, was the first to take management science to sectors other than business such as transport, power rural development etc. An affirmed vegetarian, he prepared reports on modernisation of the meat sector, which would eliminate pollution, wastages and animal suffering, increasing productivity and production of hygienic meat. The first president of the Computer Society of India, he campaigned fiercely for improving agricultural implements and bullock carts.

As Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, he brought economics, technology and management into the movement. He felt that mere sentiment and worship did not help animals.

Even at 84, his energy levels are high, his memory crystal clear. He can reel off names and figures, crack jokes in between, but always gets back to the point of discussion. What’s intriguing is that despite being from a management background Ramaswamy’s inclination towards the social sector is very strong.

“There are so many who worship cows, put ‘tilak’ on their heads. But surely they do not want all this. All they want is food, peaceful existence and painless death. Out of the 450 million head of cattle in rural areas, 150 million are being killed every year. They do this by carting them to the nearby towns or cities instead of slaughtering them there. Take Kerala for instance, around six million of these animals are brought from neighbouring states to be killed here. My proposal was to set up modernised abattoirs in these rural areas from where they are brought and urban abattoirs shifted to rural areas. Considering that meat forms only 15 to 20 per cent of the body weight of the animal, it is logical to transport only the meat to the city. This will eliminate cruelty to animals in transit, eliminate middlemen and ensure jobs to people where they need them. Carcass wastes and dung will also enrich the soil in wastelands,” says this Thrissur-born professor, who is now settled in Bangalore.

His pioneering work on the importance of upgrading The Draught Animal Power (DAP) used for ploughing and carting all over the world, his passion for animal welfare earned him the name ‘Cartman.’ Taking a cue from this Ramaswamy started the Centre for Action, Research & Technology for Man, Animal & Nature, Bangalore (CARTMAN).

“The idea is to maintain the symbiotic relationship between man, animal and nature. Apart from the research, field studies and campaigns we have a garden with 300 varieties of plant species, kennel service for dogs and pets, veterinary clinic, promotion of vegetarianism and lots more.”

He also started the Indian Heritage Academy that focuses on cultural and spiritual revival. “We organise programmes and regular classes in music, dance, yoga, meditation, lectures in philosophy and culture, among so many other related activities. We believe that it is our duty to spread India’s ancient thought and wisdom in order to save mankind from further degeneration of values and exploitation of animals and nature.”

He has proposed that splitting the 10 large States into 30 smaller units, Electoral Reforms by bringing in a LIST system where Parties will be voted to power instead of individual as well as de-bureaucratization and decentralization of development to the State, India can retain its unity and accelerate development.

Prof. Ramaswamy is a multidimensional person who combines in him pragmatism at the materialistic level and philosophy at the spiritual level. He believes that India is a unique nation, which can show the world the relevance of spirituality to bring in progress and peace.

One out-of-the-box proposal he put forward to the government that “got the approval of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi” and would have been implemented “had it not been for a quirk of fate,” was splitting 10 large States into 30 smaller units and new electoral reforms where parties would be voted to power instead of individuals. There would be de-bureaucratisation and decentralisation of development to the State. “The linguistic-state blunder can be rectified with the creation of smaller, easily manageable states, where development will be decentralised. There will be a more equitable distribution of resources, of leaders. It will end the clout of small regional parties and will enable the prominent parties to choose their representatives to the Parliament.”

Ramaswamy shares a love-hate relationship with his native state.

He is a bit sore that the state has never recognised him nor utilised his services. But he is still nostalgic about his childhood days in Puttur (Thrissur district) where he spent hours diving, swimming in the temple pond, his days at Maharaja’s College, and memories of his handsome father, who was a much-respected police-officer. In fact, he has bequeathed his entire wealth to his village. “I’m also deeply concerned about Kerala. Let me tell you there is no place here for industrial expansion, there is also large scale educated unemployment. One area that can be developed is tourism. Not the conventional one, but focussing on Health, Education and Culture. With an investment of Rs 1 crore you can generate employment for 100-1,000 people. With festivals, ‘melams,’ rich tradition in art, literature and music, cultural tourism offers a lot of scope. There is need for community colleges, vocationalisation of education. With better educational institutions and hospitals you will win new friends.”

There are so many projects that Ramaswamy believes can “save the country.” But he has his apprehensions.

“I have written so many articles, presented full-fledged reports to all concerned, spoken to those who matter. Like Ved Vyasa who after writing the ‘Mahabharatha’ lamented that he was not sure if anyone would read it, I’m not sure if people really take me seriously,” says Ramaswamy with a meaningful smile.

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