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Sometime in early 98, I was waiting to interview a candidate with one of the wierdest names.The name gave no clue as to the country or region he hailed from. When the man walked in, half the mystery was solved and the rest of it got unraveled when he started speaking. The unmistakable accent screamed of his Madurai roots, no matter in which language he spoke! He introduced himself as Perkinian, meaning Peyarkku Inian, translating as Sweet Name. Its not just the name, the person too is sweet. Anyone who has moved with him would vouch for it. The name got mutilated further in friends’ circle and Chellamani Perkinian became Perks.
Born half a century ago in a village near Madurai, Perk had highly disciplined school days – not surprising with both his parents being school teachers. He did his schooling in Cholavandan and Dindigul. He was awarded the national merit scholarship for rural students and secured 17th rank in the state in SSLC. His college days were equally impressive,
though much less disciplined! After doing Mechanical Engg from REC, Trichy, he did PGDBA from LIBA and MBA in International Business from Annamalai University. He is currently pursuing PhD in Operations Management, driven by his passion for teaching and consultancy.
Perk worked in prestigious Engineering and Electronics companies like GE, HCL-HP, Sanmar Engg. He finally found his niche in garment industry, more particularly in lingeries manufacturing, handling brands like Victoria’s Secret and Triumph. In the process, his eyes got calibrated! Currently he is heading the SEZ project of MAS Holdings, a large SriLankan group manufacturing garment.
Perk joined Rotary in July 99 and has held various positions like Club Services Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President Elect. Yet he has retained the freshness of a green Rotarian and participates enthusiastically in all activities. A quintessential team-man, Perk’s default answer for any request for help is YES and this quality endeared him to many and also helped him accrue some positive Karma-points!
Perk is happily married to Dr Manjula, an Asst Prof of Computer Science and Engg at College of Engg Guindy and Director of Faculty Development Anna Univ. Their elder son Vinoth did his Masters in Software Engg from Univ of Wisconsin US and is currently working in Chicago with Carevoyant Inc. Younger son Gopinath has completed BE in Comp Science from Guindy Engg College this year and is set to join Cognizant Tech Solutions in Chennai.
Perk is at a stage in life, where the drivers of performance in Rotary are love and compassion for society and not need for recognition & achievement. While he executes projects, there would be no complaints, no bitterness, no harsh words but a smile that was never lost. It is the case of ‘sensitive implementation’ replacing ‘clinical execution’, helping Rotary “Connect Sensitively” with the community. Perk is all set to provide us with a leadership that is gentle but effective, quiet but efficient. With the great team he has put together, we are all really in for a memorable Rotary Year under this cool guy, Perk. |