The Very Public Private Life of MK Sanghi
RCB bestowed the Excellence in Public Life Award to PP Rtn. Mahendra Sanghi last Tuesday
LAST Tuesday, PP Rtn. Mahendra Sanghi was bestowed the ‘Excellence in Public Life’ Award by the Rotary Club of Bombay. In his speech, Sanghi said: “Frankly, I’m slightly embarrassed to be receiving this award because Rotary is such an essential part of me. Some of my deepest friendships have sprouted and blossomed here. As a former President of this Club, I have stood here and conducted weekly Tuesday meetings along with so many of you. I am part of you and you are a part of me. This award makes me feel somewhat separate from you, hence the discomfort.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I am honoured by the Rotary Club of Bombay – bestowing the ‘Excellence in Public Life’ Award on me. I am also grateful to the jury members who considered me worthy of this honour. With fond memories and love, I accept this award as a blessing from Shri Pravin Bhai!”
“There are four reasons this award is so special to me.”
“First, it carries the name of Shri Pravinchandra Gandhi who was, for many years, my friend, philosopher, guide and an example for all of us. I looked up to him as my mentor during my years of involvement in the Indian Merchants’ Chamber and ASSOCHAM. Both Pravinbhai and his son, Ram, have been a tremendous source of support and inspiration during my stint in public life.”
“Second, a cursory glance at the list of previous recipients includes many illustrious and accomplished names. The list is almost a veritable who’s who. I am honoured to be included among them.”
“Third, I am a strong believer and admirer of what Rotary Clubs across the world stand for. I have experienced, first-hand, how committed Rotarians are. They are dedicated people with a genuine passion for community and fellowship. Receiving this award in the presence of Rotarian friends, whom I have worked with over so many decades, means a lot to me.”
“Lastly, it is being given to me on my home turf of Bombay. While the city of Jodhpur was my janmabhoomi, my karmabhoomi has always been Bombay. I was cradled in this city’s loving arms by public organisations such as the Rotary Club, Indian Merchants’ Chamber, the Bombay Red Cross and Assocham. My personal, professional, business, family and public life have evolved and flourished in this messy, yet magnificent, metropolis. Most of my relationships and friendships are very much products of Bombay.”
“So, a big thank you, to each one of you, for this moment of honour. Let me also take the opportunity to convey my gratitude to my wife, Manju, and my children – Vidhi, Vaibhav and Ashwin, who stood by me and were my pillars of strength throughout my stint in business as well as public life. They always felt a sense of pride in my participation in public life and inspired me to achieve more.”
“There is a humorous proverb that says: ‘Everyone has three lives – a public life, a private life and a secret life.’ Funnily enough for me, all three have merged at various points of time.”
“My public life was my business and my participation in organisations and public bodies. This led to fellowship and even deep friendships that constituted my private life. The boy from Jodhpur who secretly harboured a wish to be accepted into Bombay suddenly found that his secret life was in perfect alignment with his public and private lives. I am grateful to each one of you for enriching each of my lives.”
“There is a difference between living and existing. I have often found that some people merely ‘exist’. They go through the motions of life with little happiness or satisfaction. On the other hand, there are those who ‘live’ rather than ‘exist’. They enjoy each moment, each step, each gain, each loss, each lesson and each relationship to the fullest. I never went abroad to earn a fancy degree nor did I attempt to be the next big business sensation.”
“However, I can proudly say that I would not have derived even a quarter of the education, network, or satisfaction of achievement that I gained through public life. It was public life that made me live rather than merely exist.”
“Whether we like it or not, we are living in a world of immense challenges: As businessmen, we often wonder whether it will ever be possible to navigate India’s bureaucratic hurdles.”
“As professionals, we wonder whether public infrastructure will ever match our expectations.”
“As citizens, we wonder whether social development indicators such as education, health and literacy will ever improve.”
“As voters, we wonder when we will have governments that are worthy of our vote.”
“As human beings who live on earth, we wonder whether issues such as climate change, religious extremism and economic disparities will ever get the sort of attention that they should.”
“If one falls into any of these compartments – which is pretty much all of us – the next question that must be asked is this: what can I do about it? The asking of that question is the very first step into public life. For me, it came in the form of the Junior Chamber – or Jaycees – that used to hold their meetings next door at the non-airconditioned
Taj Sea Lounge. I was just 24 years old.”
“Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving many public bodies. I was personally enriched by the learning that I gained; by the friendships that I have made; and the contributions that I could make.”
“There is often debate about what age one should enter public life. I feel, we do not need to limit ourselves by factoring age. There are so many amongst you Rotarians who started as young Rotaract members. One can contribute at any age, no matter how young or old one is.”
“I am reminded of the words of Rotary founder Paul Harris, who said, ‘Rotary changes us and those whom we serve. I believe we can change the world one life at a time.’ Frankly, his words apply to all public life. Ultimately it must necessarily be about changing ourselves and the world around us for the better.”
QUOTE HANGER: NANIK, SANDIP & ASHWIN ON MAHENDRABHAI
“I can talk volumes, all day, about M K Sanghi: he is the man on the ground. I don’t think he can say ‘no’ to anybody, he is always ready to help.
He always gives credit to others. I am grateful to have a towering personality like Mahendra bhai and I am proud to have him as my mentor.”
RTN. NANIK RUPANI
“I have known Mr Sanghi since my teen years as he was a family friend. Born in Jodhpur, he is blessed with entrepreneurial skills and is a quintessential family man. He loves his food, culture and squash, and never forgets his origins. The biggest NGO he helped is the Rotary Club of Bombay.
MK was the first and perhaps the largest contributor to the office fund of RCB in which we are currently housed. MK, may your steadfastness, dignity and selfless giving be the guiding part to your children and all of us.”
PP RTN. SANDIP AGARWALLA
“What do I say about my own father? Everyone loves their father. Twelve to 15 years ago, I had returned after having earned an MBA and dad having invested a substantial amount of time and money to train me to a typical business life. And, I turned around and said, ‘Dad, I think I want to write novels.’ Most fathers would say, ‘What is wrong with you? Or you are mad.’ But, my dad said, ‘If you are lucky in life then you get to do what you want and what you love. And if you are a little luckier, then you get to do what you love and you are also good at it. But if you are really lucky then you do what you love, you are good at it and someone is willing to pay for it. So let’s see whether you can fit into that category. What is the worst that happens? If you don’t make it, you always have me to fall back on.’ That was dad. “One thing I learned from him is that strength is not about lifting weights in the gym, it is about picking yourself up off the floor every time life knocks you down. He is one of the nicest people with the whole world around him. My greatest award and the greatest reward is to call myself MK Sanghi’s son.”
ASHWIN SANGHI, AUTHOR