Paul Sabapathy ; A true champion of Excellence By Imran A. Chowdhury
Paul Sabapathy is a gem of this world. It is next to impossible to pen a few words for this luminary ; a personality of a mammoth magnitude. I am personally blessed to have entered contact with this erudite, enlightened human being, it was my sheer luck. it all happened due to the fact that our introduction coincided with our Bangladesh Liberation’s ethos ‘’Joy Bangla’’ ; an epitome of a slogan of aspiration for us all Bengalis of Bangladesh. The confluence of our common aspiration of the spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and his feelings of camaraderie for the people of Bangladesh in 1971 bonded us immediately. His passion and his knowledge on our independence was mind blowing for me, as a son of a freedom fighter additionally a brother of 17 years old martyr freedom fighter and a refugee in India in 1971 cemented our common confluence of the memory valley’s stream. When I expressed my
homage to the people of India for giving us shelter and saving our lives was the perhaps the best gratitude that he has ever heard from
anyone from my fraternity. I am one of those fortunate persons who came into the proximity of Paul's larger than life heart. Mr. Sabapathy; is one of the finest gentleman that anyone can come across in their lives. A community leader, an influencer, an advisor and above all a giant of personality with enormous sense of fellow feelings and apathy for others cultures. Born in erstwhile Madras present day day Chennai; who is a proud alumnus of Lawrence School, Lovedale & Madras Christian college.Paul has excelled in his
Multifaceted career and reached all heights of pinnacle. In the field of accounting, corporate world and philanthropy. He is the maker of the history in the United Kingdom by being adorned by the Her Majesty the Queen to be the Lord Lieutenant of West Midland lieutenancy ; A milestone record setter - The first Indian origin Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands of its 500 years old history of Lieutenancy. Since his retirement Paul has been an ambassador of the ethnic community of the midlands who is dedicating the majority of his time for the communities both ethnic and mainstream. He is an incarnation of building bridges in between the diversified cosmopolitan citizens of the west midlands. An ever omnipresent scholar for the people who are sacrificing their time to good for the people. A zenith for advises and guidances for everyone. His passion and quest for charity, fund raising, help setting up community
welfare groups and other NGO’s knows no bounds. A great personality, a polymath and a real life philosopher who is admired by all and hope many will be able to reach his height by emulating his footsteps.
He deserves a salute from us all who are engaged in the path of learning the ropes of community affairs to reach the road to philanthropy.
(The writer is the founder and CEO of a ThinkTank & an NGO- www.c-ppp.org)