WISE WORDS / SANTOSH KENKRE
The author speaks on the success and rise of Sadanand Shet Tanawade, BJP Chief in Goa; and Chairman of EDC
Pirna is a small village in North Goa. A son was born to Tanawade couple in January 1967. Little did his parents know that their son Sadanand Tanawade will one day head the prestigious State Finance Corporation of Goa, EDC LTD and simultaneously will head in Goa, the biggest political party in India. Incidentally, as BJP chief in Goa, at the party level, he is in charge of three-fourths of the elected MLAs of Goa.
Unknown to most people, after his schooling in Pirna and higher education at Dempo College of Commerce in Panaji, Tanawade completed his Masters in Commerce and a marketing management course from the Indian Institute of Management Studies, New Delhi.
Tanawade attributes his success to his upbringing by his mother and father from whom he learnt the value of hard work, education and honesty. His wife supports him fully in his endeavours.
Tanawade had a meteoric rise in life. From village sarpanch, to MLA of Tivim, to BJP President and Chairman of EDC Ltd. It has been a story of sheer hard work and tenacity. Formerly, he was also Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).
As a statesman, Tanawade gives high priority to education, as seen from his aforesaid qualifications. Hence, when he became Chairman of the village school in 2014, he made it a point to recruit quality teachers so that the village students acquire good education. Later, he took the initiative to start Higher Secondary in the village school. Today, the school has 650 students. He did not want Pirna students to experience what he faced as a deprived student in Panaji. During his days as a student, he studied in various gardens around the city late at night.
To what does he attribute his becoming BJP state President? He feels that his dedication and hard work for the party, his ability to take everyone along, and his acceptability across the party workers, leaders and functionaries were instrumental for the same. As Director of EDC Ltd, I have personally seen Tanawade’s ability to listen patiently, ability to learn quickly, respect others on the Board, not to make ego an issue (instead keep an open mind) and arrive at a consensus.
All these qualities in one person are indeed rare to find. He tries to help anyone, who he can, with an instant phone call to the concerned government officer. Tanawade also attributes his rise to learning from B. L. Santhosh, national General Secretary of BJP. He has also worked for the party in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
He cherishes his ‘sanskars’ (values) in the ‘Sangh Pariwar’ namely Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and VHP with whom he has been associated over the years. Chief among the ‘sanskars’ is not to have greed of power or position. He preferred to be on the losing side, than fall for allurements of or pay heed to threats from other political parties throughout his life. All these experiences have made him strong.
So what advice does he have for youngsters? He says that youngsters should focus on studies, work hard and prepare to live a principled life. He advices them to always have a long term vision, instead of short term attractions.
At 55, Tanawade is full of energy and enthusiasm. He dreams of a developed Goa. With the ‘double engine’ of EDC and BJP, I am sure he will deliver spectacularly.
