The amazing story of Col David Devasahayam’s super successful journey from the battlefield to the boardroom
“It was when I was commanding an Assam Rifles Battalion in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh that I saw the kind of unemployment that led to the youth joining the militancies ”, reminisces Col David as he leans back in his favourite sofa in their spacious drawing room of their mansion near the East Coast ,‘ Radiant Villa’.
“Poverty alleviation by Employment Generation , is our Group’s motto and today I can proudly say that we offer thousands of jobs across the length and breadth of our beautiful country. That gives me a great sense of satisfaction.”
Schooling was initially in Convent schools followed by Kendriya Vidyalayas which was necessitated by their constant transfers. This inevitable transition from one place to another has helped him in being a true Indian and also has a very deep understanding of people from different cultures and backgrounds. He proudly states that he has visited every nook and corner of our beautiful country.
He had no doubt in his mind that he would join the Army as an Infantry Officer.
Accordingly, he appeared for the National Defence Academy ( NDA ), Khadakvasala, Pune examination followed by the selection process, succeeding and joining it in 1976 at the young age of sixteen. The three years in the NDA and the one year at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun are amongst the fondest memories that he has and some of the best friendships which were formed there. “Five of my closest friends and batchmates from those days are today an important part of our Group of Companies.”he says with a smile.
On commissioning, in 1980, he joined the Second Battalion of the Eigth Gorkha Rifles. Famously called the ‘ Sikand Aite’, this is one of the most reputed Infantry Battalions of the Indian Army. The years in the Army were full of adventure, camaraderie and excitement. This was also the time when full blown militancies cropped up in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. It was a life with a lot of combat experience and uncertainty.
In 1988, he married the love of his life, Renuka, a budding medical doctor, at Coimbatore. It was an electric alliance with
Col David received the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011 and this year has been the recipient of the Socially Conscious Entrepreneur of the Year and the Udyog Ratna award from the Government of India. In 2012 he was selected for the three year long Harvard Business School executive MBA programme, the Owner President Management Programme, successfully graduating this year and becoming an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
A family man, he is totally involved with both his children. Son Alex has graduated with a Masters in Management from London’s prestigious Imperial College and daughter Angela is in her second year of Medical College. A voracious reader, painter and shooting enthusiast, Col David is also the owner of one of the finest car collections in Chennai including the latest Rolls Royce Phantom.
Going further he states that the entrepreneur should be perpetually optimistic. Just as the prospectors of old had to run through tonnes of dirt to seek out a few grams of gold so also whether it is people or the business environment one should go looking for gold and focus on the positives. This is one of the reasons why there is such a positive work climate in the Radiant Group and the positive energy is palpable both in the Corporate and Regional offices. “Another not easily available asset is a beautiful wife who has complete faith in your ability to succeed and has walked steadily by your side…otherwise it would have been difficult for us to successfully carry out this transition from Army life to Corporate Life..”, he smiles at Renuka, herself a highly acclaimed Wellness Expert.
“India is so highly respected in the West today for the quality of its people…” he continues. “ We must exploit this demographic dividend and the need of the hour is quality entrepreneurs..”he concludes.
As we head out of Radiant Avenue on East Coast road after bidding farewell to him and his ferocious St Bernard, we are touched by his passion and optimism and walk away with an abiding faith in India’s Radiant destiny…