The Management Club completes 13 years of success

Reflections of a life member 

The Management Club, popularly known as ‘TMC’, having commenced in February 2002, celebrated its 13th anniversary with cocktails and a gala dinner event on Saturday 8 August at the main ballroom of the Galadari Hotel, Colombo.

TMC was formed under the auspices of the Chartered Management Institute UK, Sri Lanka branch, when the outgoing Branch President for 2000/2001, Fayaz Saleem, now President Emeritus of TMC, observed that there was a need for two institutions in Sri Lanka, with one being for professional managers who needed to develop their personality, work ethics and leadership skills, through constant interaction with those in their field, as well as those in other disciplines, to emerge as good and effective managers. 

This idea was immediately taken up by the incoming President of CMI – SL branch for 2001/2002 – Anil Weeratunge and he, together with Fayaz Saleem, supported by some senior members of CMI serving on its ex-co, were successful in making it a reality, but not without much hard work in identifying a suitable host venue, formulating a code of ethics, preparing a constitution and attracting members of what was to be a pioneering exercise. 

The other was the setting-up of a much needed Leadership Institute which is of much importance now than before. Unfortunately, this is yet to be a reality and there is no doubt that under the guidance of Saleem supported by the energetic team of the BOM lead by Nasser Majeed and members of TMC Club Committees, this too would be a reality sooner than later.

The inauguration of TMC had been on 12 February 2002 at a ceremony at the Galle Face Hotel, who consented to be the host hotel, which was officiated by Linda Duffield, the then British High Commissioner of UK in Sri Lanka. Having its premier Club in Colombo and now located at the Galadari Hotel, it has successfully expanded to branches in Mount Lavinia, which was the second and also to Kalutara and Negombo, with sights set on other major cities of the country. A host of facilities are available to all its members.

The celebration to mark the completion of 13 years was a well organised and meticulously planned event, which embodied all aspects required to make it a memorable and glittering night. The evening commenced with cocktails and the doors of the main ballroom opened with the navy bag-pipers in attendance ushering the large number of attendees, both members and their guests in to the main hall. This was followed by an eloquent welcome address by the current President of the Board of Management of TMC Nasser Majeed, where he also did not fail to recognise the senior members who were present, all or most of whom are Life Members, for the contribution they had made in the formation of the TMC, which over the years has become a much sought after name.

In addition, mementos were presented by Mr. and Mrs. Majeed to Project Chairperson Jazaya Hassendeen, supported by Project Secretary Charmaine Vanderhoevan, Committee Member Sanjeeve Gooneratne and Camy Fernando for their untiring efforts and who had spared no pains in making it a truly memorable event, to remember for a long time.

This was succeeded by a solo dance performance by Kosala Dullewa who enthralled those present with his presentation, as he had done as a child and one with certain disabilities, at the inaugural Dirijaya Awards ceremony organised by Charmaine Vanderhoevan, Chairperson of Enable The Disabled (ETD) which is an entity under the aegis of the TMC. He now is a young man and has done the country proud by even performing at events overseas.

The next on stage was vocalist Nadine Samarasinghe who mesmerised the audience with two brilliant renditions. Back again were the children of the Kosla Dullewa Foundations, which are organisations that assist similar children as Kosala and whose performances touched the hearts of all present.

A main draw was an address by the beautiful and popular Indian actress Pooja Umarshankar, who now is a part of the local cinema too and was present as a very special invitee. In her presentation, she touched upon aspects of service to humanity and management. Her diction, eloquence and content, interspersed with some Sinhala words, displayed her class and academic background but above all, her simplicity, where she even consented to do an impromptu song sequence from one of her Sri Lankan films, being accompanied by a young volunteering TMC member. Many were seeing doing ‘selfies’ with Pooja, to probably carry as mementos of the occasion.

It must be mentioned that the lilting and pulsating music and song by Rajiv & the Clan coupled with expert hosting by Murad Jayah as Compere, added a touch of class and elegance to the entire event. There was also excitement interspersed with the program of events, in view of the various draws that were held from time to time, in respect of entrance and raffle tickets for which, there were many valuable prizes on offer.

The icing on the cake was the ‘after dinner’ speech by Toastmaster Ramesh Scaffter, who had the audience in raptures with his anecdotes, stories and incidents covering a spectrum of experiences he has had in the range of activities that he is either involved in or associated with. This undoubtedly was the ‘piece de resistance’ of such an enjoyable and exhilarating evening of good food and cheer, song and dance, camaraderie et al. There is no doubt that all left, hoping for a repetition next year, when TMC completes its 14th year of success, with probably an even more fabulous event.