The Banyan that is Baan

The name BaaN entered my life as a light in a dark auditorium. I was a wide eyed student listening to the placement pitch from a new company with a very foreign sounding name. For unknown reasons it had made an impact deep inside me, stepping out of the auditorium I told my wife to be "This is my Company!". Destiny also seemed to have had the same decision and I was one among the chosen few to be selected by BaaN. Little did I know at that time that BaaN is the foundry which is going to shape my ethics, principles, believes, skills, dreams... in short shape me as a person for 12 whole years!

In ancient Indian way of life, we believed in a unique educational system of “Gurukul”, coincidentally this was also the name of the training hall of BaaN development center in India. This cultural handshake was forged by Mr. Ramanathan Subramanian, the guru from whom I learnt how a leader should be rooted in culture and compassion.

A key to a successful company is rooted in the people who imbibe its principles and in turn incubate every new member with the same principles. Ms. Agalya Kitherian is an embodiment of that person, the guru from whom I learnt steel like loyalty in leadership towards both the company and her own team.

Extreme passion is the source of energy that turns raw skills into product of value. I was fortunate to be tutored by a guru of this extreme passion towards products born out of one’s skills - Mr. Theodoor van Donge

There was one common thread which stringed all my three gurus and that was that they were chosen disciples of Mr. Jan Baan. I realized that the name which entered my life as a light had an extraordinary person behind it. Throughout my career, I had been fascinated by Mr. Baan and what he has created. An inspiration for so many capable people, a guiding force for many companies, an embodiment of energetic passion, a wizened master, the guru of my gurus!

In Indian tradition one of the most respected trees is the Banyan tree. A tree which spreads its mighty shade over a wide area and keeps spreading through its own vines which take root. A tree which spawns such strong vines and whose vines in turn form an ever stronger tree. The tree is respected for it embodies strength, virtue, charity and immortal legacy. For all those who built their career through BaaN, Mr. Jan Baan is that mighty Banyan. I only hope that I can be a worthy vine which has spawned under his generous legacy.