Kannan Raja, born and brought up in Salem, Tamil Nadu and currently designated as Deputy General Manager, Cane in Sakthi Sugars Limited, Dhenkanal. He holds a Master Degree in Agriculture, Soil Science and been here in Odisha since last 28 years. Started his work career as a Cane officer and with his hardwork and determination climbed the ladder of success holding many important posts and designations to reach to the position of DGM.
The Interview Times had a detailed conversation with him while was working on a few files in his desk. Below are the answers he responded to the questions of The Interview Times.
Q1- You have been working here since last 28 years, could you please share your experience on that?
Answer: Working in Odisha is very much comfortable. People of this state are much cooperative and obliging, the sugarcane farmers here accept all the technologies, advice to them for sugarcane cultivation. Secondly cost of living is quite reasonable in Odisha in comparison to other states, and the joint family culture is appreciable here.
Q2- What are your hobbies and what do you like to do in your free time?
Answer: My hobbies are keeping pet animals, gardening, morning walk, traveling to name a few. During free time I love to read different books and write articles to enhance my knowledge.
Q3- Could you please tell us about your daily work schedule?
Answer: Daily I use to wake-up by 4am in the morning, after which I post motivational and inspirational quotes and messages to colleagues, staffs and employees. Then I have my breathing exercise for almost 20-25 minutes which is followed by morning walk for half-an-hour and skipping exercise of hundred times. Also watching morning news bulletins is must.
Before going to bed I used to plan next day programme schedule, whether I have to stay at the headquarters or I have to go for the field visit and if the field visit is a long distance, I use to start my work by 6.00 am otherwise by 7.30 to 8.00 am.
Q4- How did you manage your family time?
Answer: During the peak Sugarcane crushing period i.e., November-March, spending time with family is limited since we have to dedicate more time towards sugarcane planting and facilitating the same to the factory. In this busy schedule we also spend time with family after 6.00pm when the office hours are over.
Q5- There are good and tough times respectively, can you please tell us about the toughest challenges you have faced in life and how did you win over them?
Answer: I got married in 1992, and then after one year during the mid of 1993 I resigned from my job as my parents have given assurance to arrange a fertilizer business for me in my native place. Then after resignation when I asked about the business, my mother replied, the time is not good now, we will do later. I was jobless during that period and it continued till 1994. Then when I admitted my wife in hospital for delivery, I was not having enough money in my pocket. I used to get some money from my mother-in-law for breakfast and tea. That time was quite tough for me, even I couldn’t meet the day to day expenditures of my own and my family. Then I started applying in different private companies and I got an interview offer and they offered me for Odisha and I immediately accepted the offer. I was ready to go anywhere in the country, even out of the country. Once I got the offer, I left my house with only 2-3 pair of dress and without any money. I had a RD account in Post Office which I had opened during my college days, I closed that and took the money for my expenditure in Odisha.
Q6- Could you please share your experience after reaching Odisha?
Answer: After I reached Odisha, I was sent to field to meet the sugarcane growers, but unfortunately I was unable to understand the language, I returned back to my room and the thought was spinning around my mind whether to stay here or to leave the state. One night finally I have decided that I will not leave the state for my survival and made up my mind to learn the language. Today I can understand as well as can speak good odia. My first salary was Rs 2750, my friends suggested me to buy tape recorder, tv but I purchased a gas connection in my name which is still continuing till now. For purchasing other household materials I took a bank loan and stood on my own leg which is still continuing.
Q7- What specific advice do you want to give to Sugarcane farmers?
Answer: My specific advice to sugarcane farmers is to protect the soil, like minimum use of chemical fertilizers and maximum use of organic materials like farm yard manures, compost, seaweed extract, red algae, micro nutrients and other bio fertilizers. Second most advice is not to broadcast urea fertilizers at the time of rainfall, because it will make the crops more attractive for pest and diseases. Other advice is not to look after the crops but advice is to look after the soil, so that soil will take care of the crop.
Image Courtesy : Mr. N Kannan Raja
