MB#39: 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙀𝙄.

[MemoirBlogthon#39] My father's professional passion didn't end with government service; he channeled it into the Institution of Engineers (India), elevating the local chapter to a full Local Centre in 1989. This high-stakes dedication to the engineering fraternity—and the faxed invitation I received to the inaugural function—sowed the seed that pushed me to leave a small town and pursue my own success in the professional mainstream.

MB#39: Engineering Excellence: My Father's Lasting Mark on the IEI.

My Father's Dedication to Engineering.

My father, Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry, never truly retired from engineering; he simply shifted his focus from government machinery to the Institution of Engineers (India) [IEI]. His association with the IEI, Vijayawada Local Centre (IEIVL) crystallized his dedication to his profession.

My father took immense pride in the significance of this organization, which was established in 1920 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1935 by King George V. As an engineer, belonging to this multidisciplinary professional body of over a million members was an honor.

The Seed of Mainstream Success

My direct insight into this commitment came in January 1989. While I was working as a Company Secretary in the relatively remote town of Vizianagaram, my father called. He was instrumental in upgrading the IEIVL from a subcenter to a full local center, and he was overseeing its inaugural function. He asked me to make the trip to Vijayawada and sent the official invitation card via fax.

I attended the function, where I first learned the remarkable history of the IEI—how it was recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO), its global presence in bodies like the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and its role in issuing certifications like Chartered Engineer and International Professional Engineer. The institution even maintained a highly qualified panel of arbitrators from its Fellow members (like my father) to settle work disputes.

My father served as the Chairman of the IEIVL in 1989, using his expertise to guide the center's activities, including seminars and the prestigious AMIE exams (recognized as equivalent to a degree in engineering).

Legacy in the Mind of the Engineer

After the function, my curiosity led me to ask him a flood of questions. His continued engagement with the IEI demonstrated that his professional spirit remained fully engaged, keeping him active and current even after his official retirement.

Years later, I received powerful third-party validation of his impact. Mr. Prasad, who later became the chairman of IEIVL and who had been a supervisor under my father in government service, told me, "Er S.S. Sastry was an asset and a strong supporter for our organization."

This strong favorable impression—the fact that successive teams continued to seek his guidance and invite him to important seminars even after he had relinquished his chairmanship—is a powerful lesson in leadership. Creating a mark in the minds of the engineering fraternity and maintaining that connection is a rare feat.

For me, witnessing this dedication had an immediate, profound impact. I realized that my professional ambitions required me to be in the mainstream. The incident sowed a crucial seed in my mind: I needed to move from a mufassil place like Vizianagaram to the professional capital, Hyderabad. In 1991, I put this vision into action by moving to a bigger role in a large group of companies.

The principle I took away was the 'why': The goal isn't just to hold a position, but to create a legacy of contribution that transcends the role itself. This ability to create a lasting, positive impression is the quality I strive to emulate.

MB#39: Quiz

MB#39: Question: What organization did the author's father channel his professional passion into after leaving government service?

Change Image

• A. The Society of Civil Engineers.
• B. The Institution of Engineers (India).
• C. The Retired Government Officials Association.
• D. The Local Chamber of Commerce.

MB#39: Quote

"The purpose of a person's life is to serve the common good and make it worthwhile."