Yesterday was my grandfather, Parshuram also known as Nanasaheb Chitale’s 85th birthday. From playing basketball for Fergusson college, Pune in early 50s to pioneering polyethylene pouch packing of pasteurised liquid milk in India he has had an eventful life. (1/10)
His life has been full of extravagant dreams and extraordinary determination to fulfil them. He was a diligent young guy who not only wanted to be just a shop owner in Pune but a large scale manufacturer as well. He rebelled & left home to study dairy science in Bangalore (2/10)
He came back to Bhilawadi in ‘59 after finishing his Dairy diploma in Bangalore. With a relentless will to learn & his people skills, he developed a long term network with farmers in the area to procure milk. He developed various indigenous equipment with local technicians.(3/10)
This gave a boost to the natives in the area and created a lot of jobs. Along with pioneering pouch packing of milk, he wanted to make sure the farmers get what they deserve for their hardship. (4/10)
After teaming up with some officials and veterinarians, they started distributing breeds of buffaloes & cows that can give better yield to the farmers. We now have 2nd or 3rd generations of the same farmers working with us which have seen exponential growth. (5/10)
He also has a very lively social life. He has headed Brahmin Sabhas, Sahitya Sammelan all over Maharashtra. He has also been a chairman of a school & college he built to make sure offsprings of our workforce & farmers get proper education. (6/10)
He drove me nuts when I was teenager but there are innumerable things I have learnt and still learning from him. He taught me how to let things go when needed. I still am understanding the fundamentals of business ethics from him. (7/10)
He taught me never to compromise on quality. He once said humility cannot be taught but needs to come from within. He told me to respond and not react. Don’t make life changing decisions when reeling from a loss. (8/10)
I have never admired a human as much as I admire him. I’m always in an awe every time he speaks about his work/social experiences. I think I would consider I have made it if I’m able to achieve 1/10th of his magnanimity, perseverance & just his kindness. (9/10)
Thank you Nana for your perpetual contribution to our society. We will try and make you proud. Happy birthday.

PS: He never likes it when someone writes about him. (10/10)
You can follow @nikhilchitale.
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