MB#12: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣-𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙡: 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙀𝙄 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙅𝙪𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙚.

[MemoirBlogthon #12] In 2002, my father was honored as the Chief Guest for the Silver Jubilee of the Institution of Engineers (India) [IEI] in Vijayawada. This memory is not about the award but about the diligence that earned it. He preserved the evidence: the invitation, the newspaper clipping, and his own eight-page handwritten script, which outlined a strategic, seven-point plan for how the engineering body could gain official recognition in civic life. This memory taught me the enduring importance of meticulous preparation, professional advocacy, and the value of preserving a proud legacy.

The IEI Silver Jubilee: My Father’s Post-Retirement Professional Legacy

In the professional world, being invited as a chief guest is an honor; for my father, it was a profound responsibility that demanded meticulous diligence. On May 23, 2002, he was invited as the chief guest for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI), Vijayawada Local Centre, a chapter he had once chaired.

When the invitation card arrived in my mail in Hyderabad, I was delighted. Though I had to drop my plan to attend due to work, my father, who knew I was interested, later ensured I wouldn't miss it. When I next visited Vijayawada, he asked me to listen to the entire 70-minute talk he had delivered, preserved on an old cassette tape recorder.

The Eight-Page Script

The true insight into his professional ethic came when he showed me his preparation. He revealed his original, eight-page handwritten script—a draft meticulously marked with edits and highlights. Listening to the talk while reviewing the script was uncanny; the final delivery was almost a perfect replica of the prepared document. He told me the script contained the essential framework, and the commentary and highlights flowed automatically during the delivery.

His suggestions, which went far beyond mere well-wishes for the engineers, particularly struck me. They had a strategic plan for elevating the professional body's status:

My Father's Seven Suggestions for IEI Recognition:

1. The Local Centre Chairman should be given protocol status and invited to all local programs conducted by the District Collector.

2. The Chairman should be invited to all programs held by the Municipal Corporation.

3. The chairman should serve as a consultative member for All India Radio to ensure engineering subjects receive emphasis, similar to agriculture and health programs.

4. The Chairman should be invited to the Traffic Advisory Body and similar advisory meetings

5. The Chairman should be invited to important meetings of engineering colleges, polytechnics, and government-managed ITIs.

6. The Chairman should be invited to meetings of the rythu sangham (farmer's meetings), the Chamber of Commerce, and Lorry Owners Associations.

7. These were not suggestions for internal improvement but a complete roadmap for embedding the IEI's expertise within the civic, educational, and economic fabric of the region.

The Legacy of the Talk

That the organizers chose my father, even years into his retirement, was a testament to his continued influence. The media coverage he preserved confirmed this. He presented me with a newspaper clipping from the prominent Telugu daily, Andhra Prabha, showcasing his photograph and five columns devoted to the event.

The article specifically highlighted how Engineer S. S. Sastry, former Chairman (1988–1990), had appealed to engineers to remain updated with fast changes and render meaningful service to society. The coverage cemented his status as a respected voice in the profession.

Later, I met a few retired engineers who had traveled from Hyderabad to attend the event. They praised my father profusely, stating he was the "right guest of honor for the exceptional celebration." Their endorsement was simple: "No one could match Sastry garu's depth of knowledge, passion, and skill of communication."

The lasting lesson from this carefully preserved memory, documented with the invitation, the script, the cassette, and the press clippings, is twofold:

First, always prepare well for any opportunity to provide a message-oriented speech. Second, preserve all the documents.

My father's meticulous archiving allows me, his proud son, to witness his professional legacy today as if the event had happened in front of me.

MB#12: Quiz

MB#12: Question: In 2002, what specific event did the author's father attend as the Chief Guest for the Institution of Engineers (India)?

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• A. The Diamond Anniversary.
• B. The Silver Jubilee.
• C. The Annual General Meeting.
• D.The Centenary Celebration.

MB#12: Quote

"The legacy you leave behind is the one you actively build while you live."