Mrs. Sarah Arokiaswamy.. How many memories this name brings !
Still remember the events that happened on the first day I met her.
Year- 1995. I was an ACS Inter student then. Had some issue which was unresolved as a student; went to SIRO office. They directed me to meet the topmost officer of SIRO. I met him; but he said ” Go.. go…go; why are you coming here? You have to write to Delhi; they will reply”. I came out of the room, was having a chat with some staff in the hall. At that time, Sarah madam who had come out of her cabin, asked me “ What is the matter? Why are you standing here?”. I told my problem. She took me to her cabin. Called Delhi office (landline call- no mobiles then); within 2 minutes the issue got resolved.
That day when I walked out of the SIRO office, I was wondering how someone who is sitting in a powerful seat was not willing to help; whereas another officer 1 level below him resolved it in few minutes. I really saw the BIG difference & thought “ When some one is in a chair, they must use it effectively and must help others”
It was the beginning of a lifelong relationship between a Teacher and a student. In the next 3 decades, I had the privilege of moving with her –soon realized that it is her nature to help others.
She was a Teacher/ Mentor for so many students and members; the best part is that she was a friendly and caring teacher. When your mentor is so friendly and caring, what else you need in your life!
When I passed CS Inter, went and informed her; she immediately called Ashok Leyland Mr Kasiraman and informed that she is sending a candidate for training; there was no interview and I joined Ashok Leyland directly. Likewise she was instrumental in getting the first jobs for thousands of students.
After I passed CS final, she suggested me to correct CC Papers (Before writing CS Inter/ Final exams, Students need to write and pass 3 CC Papers). After few years, she asked me to handle CS Oral coaching classes.
When I was a student, one of my aim was to take classes in ACS Institute; when I attended classes at CS Institute, was amazed at the quality of the faculties; since all of them were working people, they shared practical experience along with theory. This had created immense respect over the CS Institute and faculties and I too wanted to handle classes one day. However within 3-4 years of me becoming a member, got the honour of handling classes, thanks to Sarah madam.
She has this knack of finding the talent in the people, help them to know their own talent, encourage them and give opportunities.
However after the first opportunity, she will get a detailed feedback from the students, document it and only if the feedback is good, the concerned person will get future chances.
At some point of time, I realized that she was my role model and there are so many qualities to follow from her.
Whenever any big programs happened at SIRO, I have seen her talking to almost each and every member in the region and discussing all details about them – their job, family, etc. I used to ask her how she remembers each one’s details and she will reply “ It comes over a period of time”
But this networking quality which I imbibed from her is what makes me what I am today.
In 2014 I got elected into the Regional Council and had the great opportunity of moving with her as a Regional Council Member for about 7 years. During this period, I saw on firsthand how much she loves ICSI. For her, ICSI stands first and it is above any other individual occupying whatever big position.
She was thorough in all ICSI guidelines and any council member will always reach out to her for clarifications. Even in the council meeting, if any doubts are asked, she will first tell the guideline without even referring. If still some questions are asked, she will take the guidelines and show where it is written.
She always remains young and look the same person from the time I met her; many members also used to tell her the same compliment.
When I was the council member, realized that she is dealing with tonnes of problems every day; this keeps her mind agile and this is one of the reason for her to remain young.
One hallmark of her is her boldness. She will never be afraid of any situation and will face it bravely and solve it. This is a very rare quality, which I have seldom seen in any other human being.
She wakes up at 4.30 AM every day and does walking for an hour. She is very diet conscious too. Most importantly she always tries to be happy under all the circumstances. Though at times there is some negativity around, still she will remain positive. I realized that taking care of health meticulously and being happy are the 2 reasons behind her youthfulness.
She is a very family oriented person; despite taking that much responsibilities in the ICSI, she spent considerable amount of time for her family. Every day she will cook different dishes for each one in the family – ie 4-5 dishes every day in the morning alone. She cooks personally for each one of them and is an extremely delicious cook.
I have visited her house few times & was amazed how beautifully she has brought up her kids.
She always takes care of the employees of ICSI and they all had highest regard over her. Particularly one of great thing I noticed is how she took care of the people who are last in the hierarchy – those who were not even in the rolls of ICSI. She ensures that they are being paid reasonably well to take care of their family.
She has worked with 30 different Chairman over the past 30 years. Every year she worked with a different boss/ Chairman, which itself is a very challenging task.
Every chairman will discuss all their ideas with her- to know if it is within ICSI guidelines and if it is a workable idea. The execution was entirely taken care by her with a lean team at SIRO.
When she executes, that project will always be a class on its own. When she conducts any program in a hotel, it will always be in the best of the hotels with excellent sponsorships and takeaways for the participants. She always thinks and executes everything in a grandeur manner.
When I was the Chairman, I realized that she was like a Co – Chairperson. Because the responsibilities she carries is much more than that of the Chairman.
Though there were many opportunities for her to move to Delhi which would have brought her all the promotions she richly deserved, being a family oriented person, she stayed in Chennai for most part of her career. This was a great plus for SIRO as it flourished under her able leadership.
For the last 3 decades, SIRC was always appreciated for the best compliance practices and timely submission of all information and data.
She went to Delhi for the last 2 years of her career and made a mark there also. She got a promotion within a short period of moving to Delhi & headed the HR functions of the prestigious ICSI.
I always felt that she is a blessed soul – she always gets the best of everything. She also passes on the blessings she carries to others.
If it is for any other person, for all the challenges she faces, they might have had minimum 200/100 Blood pressure and a 300 + sugar. By God’s grace and because of her good nature and how she has taken care of her physical and mental health, she does not carry any ailment so far. I wish her to live for 100 plus years and continue to guide thousands of members in the years to come.
On a personal note, she has been my Teacher- Mentor- Role model .. above all she was like an elder sister and has always protected me in the toughest situations. I genuinely believe this will continue till the lifetime.
Congratulations Sarah Madam for a wonderful and ever memorable service at ICSI. Please continue to guide us in the decades to come !
She was a Teacher/ Mentor for so many students and members; the best part is that she was a friendly and caring teacher. When your mentor is so friendly and caring, what else you need in your life!
When I passed CS Inter, went and informed her; she immediately called Ashok Leyland Mr Kasiraman and informed that she is sending a candidate for training; there was no interview and I joined Ashok Leyland directly. Likewise she was instrumental in getting the first jobs for thousands of students.
After I passed CS final, she suggested me to correct CC Papers (Before writing CS Inter/ Final exams, Students need to write and pass 3 CC Papers). After few years, she asked me to handle CS Oral coaching classes.
When I was a student, one of my aim was to take classes in ACS Institute; when I attended classes at CS Institute, was amazed at the quality of the faculties; since all of them were working people, they shared practical experience along with theory. This had created immense respect over the CS Institute and faculties and I too wanted to handle classes one day. However within 3-4 years of me becoming a member, got the honour of handling classes, thanks to Sarah madam.
She has this knack of finding the talent in the people, help them to know their own talent, encourage them and give opportunities.
However after the first opportunity, she will get a detailed feedback from the students, document it and only if the feedback is good, the concerned person will get future chances.
At some point of time, I realized that she was my role model and there are so many qualities to follow from her.
Whenever any big programs happened at SIRO, I have seen her talking to almost each and every member in the region and discussing all details about them – their job, family, etc. I used to ask her how she remembers each one’s details and she will reply “ It comes over a period of time”
But this networking quality which I imbibed from her is what makes me what I am today.
In 2014 I got elected into the Regional Council and had the great opportunity of moving with her as a Regional Council Member for about 7 years. During this period, I saw on firsthand how much she loves ICSI. For her, ICSI stands first and it is above any other individual occupying whatever big position.
She was thorough in all ICSI guidelines and any council member will always reach out to her for clarifications. Even in the council meeting, if any doubts are asked, she will first tell the guideline without even referring. If still some questions are asked, she will take the guidelines and show where it is written.
She always remains young and look the same person from the time I met her; many members also used to tell her the same compliment.
When I was the council member, realized that she is dealing with tonnes of problems every day; this keeps her mind agile and this is one of the reason for her to remain young.
One hallmark of her is her boldness. She will never be afraid of any situation and will face it bravely and solve it. This is a very rare quality, which I have seldom seen in any other human being.
She wakes up at 4.30 AM every day and does walking for an hour. She is very diet conscious too. Most importantly she always tries to be happy under all the circumstances. Though at times there is some negativity around, still she will remain positive. I realized that taking care of health meticulously and being happy are the 2 reasons behind her youthfulness.
She is a very family oriented person; despite taking that much responsibilities in the ICSI, she spent considerable amount of time for her family. Every day she will cook different dishes for each one in the family – ie 4-5 dishes every day in the morning alone. She cooks personally for each one of them and is an extremely delicious cook.
I have visited her house few times & was amazed how beautifully she has brought up her kids.
She always takes care of the employees of ICSI and they all had highest regard over her. Particularly one of great thing I noticed is how she took care of the people who are last in the hierarchy – those who were not even in the rolls of ICSI. She ensures that they are being paid reasonably well to take care of their family.
She has worked with 30 different Chairman over the past 30 years. Every year she worked with a different boss/ Chairman, which itself is a very challenging task.
Every chairman will discuss all their ideas with her- to know if it is within ICSI guidelines and if it is a workable idea. The execution was entirely taken care by her with a lean team at SIRO.
When she executes, that project will always be a class on its own. When she conducts any program in a hotel, it will always be in the best of the hotels with excellent sponsorships and takeaways for the participants. She always thinks and executes everything in a grandeur manner.
When I was the Chairman, I realized that she was like a Co – Chairperson. Because the responsibilities she carries is much more than that of the Chairman.
Though there were many opportunities for her to move to Delhi which would have brought her all the promotions she richly deserved, being a family oriented person, she stayed in Chennai for most part of her career. This was a great plus for SIRO as it flourished under her able leadership.
For the last 3 decades, SIRC was always appreciated for the best compliance practices and timely submission of all information and data.
She went to Delhi for the last 2 years of her career and made a mark there also. She got a promotion within a short period of moving to Delhi & headed the HR functions of the prestigious ICSI.
I always felt that she is a blessed soul – she always gets the best of everything. She also passes on the blessings she carries to others.
If it is for any other person, for all the challenges she faces, they might have had minimum 200/100 Blood pressure and a 300 + sugar. By God’s grace and because of her good nature and how she has taken care of her physical and mental health, she does not carry any ailment so far. I wish her to live for 100 plus years and continue to guide thousands of members in the years to come.
On a personal note, she has been my Teacher- Mentor- Role model .. above all she was like an elder sister and has always protected me in the toughest situations. I genuinely believe this will continue till the lifetime.
Congratulations Sarah Madam for a wonderful and ever memorable service at ICSI. Please continue to guide us in the decades to come !
