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BOOK LAUNCH: 4 JULY 2014: NEW DELHI, INDIA: A Chronology of Men, Matters and Events by Dharam Vir Taneja
SPEECH OF RAMNI TANEJA, daughter of
Dharam Vir Taneja, on 4 July 2014 at the launch of her father’s book: A Chronology of Men, Matters and Events
Respected
Mr Narendra Kumar, Chairman, Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd.,
good
evening and namaskar to all our respected
friends and guests, ladies and gentlemen.
As
the last speaker today, constraints of time are critical. I shall be very brief
in my salutations and greetings. It is
both an honour and a privilege to be here amidst this very distinguished
gathering.
As
we celebrate the launch of my father’s book, A Chronology of Men, Matters and Events, which coincides with his
90th birthday, I would like to share with you my thoughts of my
father. He is an extraordinary gentleman,
brave and compassionate, gentle and firm, courteous and soft-spoken,
erudite and brilliant, patient and wise, philosophical and ethical….. the list
of virtues is endless. He has been a
banker, an economist and a poet. Suffice it to say that he has been my
inspiration and mentor and has guided me throughout my life.
It
was an honour to have helped him with his manuscript. I am astonished at my
father’s memory to vividly recall events of several decades ago, for example, when
he attended the funeral of Bhagat Singh
and his associates on 24 March 1931, or Mahatma Gandhi’s funeral a day after
his assassination on 30 January 1948. My father’s devotion and love for our
country are palpable as one reads his work.
When
I think of my father, I am reminded of the words of a famous proverb:
“A father is respected because
He gives his children leadership...
Appreciated because
He gives his children care...
Valued because
He gives his children time...
Loved because
He gives his children the one thing
They treasure most - himself.”
He gives his children leadership...
Appreciated because
He gives his children care...
Valued because
He gives his children time...
Loved because
He gives his children the one thing
They treasure most - himself.”
I
need say no more. My father epitomizes all the above attributes and much more.
May
I take this opportunity of thanking each and every one of you for attending
this special function tonight and for making it such a memorable occasion for
my father.
I
wish to convey my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Narendra Kumar, Chairman,
Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd. for his trust in my father’s work and for his
magnificent efforts in ensuring that my father’s work is published. My very
special thanks to Ms Puneet Kaur, of the Taj Mahal Hotel for her meticulous care and for arranging for this
beautiful Longchamp Banquet Hall to be available for us tonight. I also thank
Mr. Tapas Bhattacharya of the Taj Mahal Hotel for his kindness and care.
I
request you to please join us for dinner.
Thank
you very much.
BOOK LAUNCH: 4 JULY 2014: NEW DELHI, INDIA: A CHRONOLOGY OF MEN, MATTERS AND EVENTS: BY DHARAM VIR TANEJA
SPEECH OF RASHMI TANEJA, daughter of Dharam Vir Taneja, on the launch of his book, A Chronology of Men, Matters and Events, on the 4th of July 2014 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, India
Good evening, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen.
We have gathered here to celebrate a very special day: today July 4 is
my father’s 90th birthday. We’re also delighted and honored to have
you all here to launch his book which chronicles his memoirs.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'll try not to talk too long. They say it’s best
to leave your audience before your audience leaves you.
My father’s book charts his life story from his humble beginnings
during pre-Partition days in Quetta, his traumatic journey to India during the
genocide that killed millions of Hindus in 1947.
He had a varied career as a banker in Punjab National Bank, Chairman of
Central Bank, as a management consultant in TCS and in the 1980s as a CEO in
Middle East Bank in Dubai.
My father is special to me for his love, his kindness, compassion,
generosity and above all his honesty.
While I am proud of his achievements as a senior banker, I admire him
most of all for his exemplary courage and his ethical stance that cost him his
job.
My father was one of the first victims of the Emergency in 1975 in the
banking world in India.
A Commission of Enquiry was appointed by the then Government of India
shortly after the Janata Party came to power in 1977 to investigate into the
affairs of Maruti Ltd. Mr Justice A.C. Gupta conducted this Commission of
Enquiry. In the Report of the Commission
of Inquiry on Maruti Affairs dated May 31, 1979, Mr. Justice A.C. Gupta, [who was at the
relevant time on the Bench of the Supreme Court of India] in his findings concerning the investigation
into the affairs of Maruti Limited, Justice Gupta concluded as follows[1]:
“From the facts the conclusion seems
inescapable that Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi opposed the renewal of
Shri Taneja’s term as Chairman of Central Bank of India overruling the
recommendations of the Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Minister because
Taneja did not find it possible to approve Sanjay Gandhi’s proposal for a loan
of Rs. 1.5 crores to help Maruti Limited.”
And I quote from my father’s
book:
“I became a victim of the twin wrath of Mrs Indira Gandhi and her son
during these difficult years. It is my duty to narrate the true version of
events as they transpired. Professionally, I have spent my life as a banker. We
are trained to ensure that the hard earned money of depositors, which is
entrusted to us, must never be exposed to any risk. As a trustee of depositors’
funds, a banker must measure up to the highest yardstick of probity expected of
a banker.”
The 19 months of Emergency that followed my father’s dismissal were the
most harrowing days of our lives. During those dark days, my father was
harassed because he withstood political pressures. We were terrified of the
midnight knock, afraid of authorities who might whisk my father away.
Despite this trauma he faced life with a graceful dignity, which is
characteristic of his nature. The book narrates his life story in great detail.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen,
I’ll now request my sister Ramni to say a few words.
BOOK LAUNCH: 4 JULY 2014: NEW DELHI, INDIA: DHARAM VIR TANEJA: A CHRONOLOGY OF MEN, MATTERS & EVENTS
SPEECH OF THE AUTHOR, DHARAM VIR TANEJA, AT THE LAUNCH OF HIS BOOK, A CHRONOLOGY OF MEN, MATTERS AND EVENTS, ON 4 JULY 2014, AT THE TAJ MAHAL HOTEL, NEW DELHI, INDIA
Ladies
and gentlemen:
I
welcome you to this august assembly of distinguished guests and friends who are
all gathered here on an important occasion this evening.
Today,
my book, A Chronology of Men, Matters and
Events has been released. It took me several years to draft the manuscript
of my book. The publication was only possible after my two daughters, Rashmi ji
and Ramni ji gave me full support in this effort. I wish to particularly Ramni ji, who, despite her very
busy schedule of engagements as an Advocate, laboriously reviewed the
manuscript and held discussions with me to bring the book into a final shape.
The
loving care and concern with which my entire family, i.e. my wife, Kamal ji, my daughters, Rashmi ji and
Ramni ji look after me from time to time everyday, has helped me to live in the cosy comfort of my home.
I
wish to thank Mr Narendra Kumar ji, Chairman, Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd.
for releasing my book today. Apart from his fame in the publishing world, Mr
Kumar is a great and distinguished educationist.
It
is my pleasant duty to wish you a very wonderful evening and a most enjoyable
dinner.
Thank
you
Dharam
Vir Taneja
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