Magazine of June - 2010 - Rups.net

of India on 17 th October, 1971, at Mumbai, by thebank’s Executives and Officers:“To recapitulate and enumerate in a formal addressyour great contribution to the making of this institutionis a difficult task. It is well nigh impossible to identify anarea of activity in the Bank where your contribution wasnot conspicuous. When you joined the Bank, it was asmall institution operating mainly in local areas with twoor three upcountry branches. But within the scope of afew years, you were successful in changing its shape andcharacter to a truly National bank.“The persistent manner in which you moulded a vastnumber of young officers into able Bankers, furtherguided them and gave them freely the benefit of your vastand rich experience is worthy of emulation. It was youwho gave to the Bank the key to success, the importanceof ‘personalized service’ which you never failed to put topractical use.”At the end of 1971, at 61, the ever-beaming, always“at your service” Dattmaam joined CorporationBank as an Advisor for 3½ years and, here again,he was put in charge of development and branchexpansion of the bank in Maharashtra, Gujarat andNorth and East India. He helped obtain a GeneralForeign Exchange license for the bank.Bijoor Dattmaam had, by now, completed 45years in the banking services. Promoting agencybusiness for his banks, Dattmaam toured the worldwhile also travelling extensively all over India. Hetoured the UK, the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia,Middle-East countries, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.From October to December 1972, he went aroundthe world in 80 days, visiting Singapore, Bangkok,Hong Kong, Japan, and several places in the USbefore proceeding to London, Scandinavia andseveral parts of Europe. He returned to India viaJeddah, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE.But it was not banking alone. Dattmaam madea name for himself amongst Chitrapur Saraswats,the business community, and organized charities.He undoubtedly holds the distinction of havingprovided the maximum number of jobs to ChitrapurSaraswats and if ever anybody was in need of a joband shelter in Mumbai, he did not have to lookbeyond Dattmaam.40Vol. 91, No.6, June 2010Bijoor Dattmaam was the Director of ShamraoVithal Co-op. Bank Ltd., Mumbai, for about 27years during which period he was the Chairman for4½ years during 1987-92.It was always Dattmaam’s earnest wish to providesuitable accommodation to HH Shrimat SwamiParijnanashram of Sri Chitrapur Math (and Hisretinue) during His visits to Mumbai. With this inmind, along with his nephew, (late) Trasy SundarRao, Dattmaam and some friends established apublic charitable trust called Shri AnandashramTrust named after our ninth Guru (of ChitrapurMath, Shirali), in 1968. This Trust constructed anartistic building in Khar, which is more popularlycalled as the “Khar Math.” The Trust has progressedsince and helped several educational, medical,and charitable institutions and needy persons withsubstantial donations.In 1996, the Trust opened a community centre inWajapur Village, Panvel Taluka, with seven roomsand a prototype of the holy “Kailas Parbat” with acave supporting a huge Lord Shiva at the top.Dattmaam also renovated the ShriSitaramachandra Temple in Bijoor (South Kanaradistrict) in 1998, with help from relatives, friendsand well-wishers. The punarpratishta of the Templewas performed at the gracious hands of HH PoojyaSadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji.Bijoor Dattmaam was the Vice President of theStanding Committee of Shri Chitrapur Math formany years and also its Trustee for some years.In December 1992, Dattmaam was felicitatedat Blavatsky Lodge, Mumbai, in recognition of hisgreat service to the banking sector by a group offriends and well-wishers, including Yours Truly andSadanand Bhatkal. The All India Saraswat CulturalOrganization also felicitated Bijoor Dattmaam in2002.When Bijoor Dattmaam passed away on April25, 2010, at the ripe old age of 100, it was certainlya great blow to our community. Few of us can matchhis zest for life and his undaunted determination,or boast of having lived a life as enriching as BijoorDattmaam. Bijoor Dattatraya… May his tribeincrease!Kanara Saraswat