SHRI RAMESHCHANDRA RAGHUNATH PRADHAN, popularly and lovingly known as R.R. (PRADHAN), is a multi-faceted personality.
Shri R. R. Pradhan was Chairman of the 15th Akhil Bharatiya Samajonnati Prishad held in Chembur, Mumbai in January 2001.
After passing his M.A. in first rank in Economics from Pune University, Mr. R. R. Pradhan did research in “Gokhale Institute of Economics” from 1948 to 1952 under able guidance of the renowned Econimist Dr. Dhananjayrao Gadgil on the subject “Rural Economics”. From 1956 to 1986, Mr. Pradhan worked in various important positions. In 1981, he was the first Chief Officer of the Urban Co-operative Banks Dept. He has served as Regional Director of Culcutta Office, Regional Director of Central Office, Principal Chief General Manager, Financial Controller, Addl. Chief General Manager in the Central Office. He was appointed as M.D. of NABARD.
During the period from 1956 to 1968, he worked on various Committees and Agricultural Finance Study Groups appointed by RBI, NABARD, Central and various State Govts. After that he was Advisor to World Bank. He has worked on the boards of various banks viz. State Bank of Rajasthan, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Indore, Canara Bank.
Mr. Rameshchandra Pradhan has worked on the Advisory Panels of World Bank, IMF, Asian Development Bank as also on the Board of Directors of various companies as representative of IFCI, UTI, IDBI.
In 1972, he was elected as Chairman of the Social Committee of 22 nations held in Bangkok where he was awarded Fellowship by Asian Institute of Economic Development and Planning, Bangkok. He was given “Honorary Fellowship” at the Platinum Celebrations of Ferguson College, Pune. Mr. Pradhan is also Fellow of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. In 1985, he was honoured at the hands of Mumbai’s Mayor Mr. Sudhir Joshi for being promoted to the position of Principal Chief General Manager.
Mr. Pradhan was an Honorary Member of “Board of Studies in Business Economics” of Mumbai & Shivaji Universities. He was one of the Convenors of “Svayamsiddha Mahila Udyojak Training Programme of Smt. Nathibai Damodar Thakersey Mahila Vidyapith. His name is mentioned in the “Reference Asia” publication of 1990. He delivers lectures regularly at various forums like Reserve bank and othe banks, Rotary Clubs, Universities, Indian Airlines, Air India and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York.
He is equally well known in the literary field for his various books, articles and lectures. “Management & Industrial Relations”, “Rural Development & Related Problems” are his acclaimed articles. His books “Amhi Pradhan” and “Dr. Shankar Abaji Bhise, the Edison of India” are published recently.
In spite of his busy schedule, Mr. Pradhan has always found time for social activities throughout his life. He has worked as Treasurer, Secretary and President of “Staff Co-op. Credit Society” and “Officers’ Association” of RBI. He was also Vice-President of “RBI Retired Officers’ Association”.
He has been working with various CKP Organisations. Presently, he is Vice-President of A.B.C.K.P. Madhyawarti Sanstha. Earlier he was Vice-President of CKP Sabha, Dadar. He is an active Managing Committee Member of CKP Industrial Wing for a number of years. He was President of Vinzai Devasthan Mandal, Tamhini. Mr. Pradhan was the Chairman of the “Audyogik Parishad” in the Centenary Celebrations of the Samajonnati Parishad in 1992.
Mr. Rameshchandra Pradhan was the Chairman of the 15th Adhiveshan of Akhil Bharatiya CKP Samajonnati Parishad – 2001 at Chembur, Mumbai. He conducted the Adhiveshan with his usual commanding ability and was instrumental in the success of the Adhiveshan. A number of meaningful resolutions were passed during this Conference and Mr. Pradhan worked hard to implement them during his tenure of 5 years as the Chairman.
Mr. Pradhan has travelled to over 200 countries for his work in different capacities. At present he is found shuttling between USA and India at half-yearly intervals. CKPs in USA consider him as a strong link between the CKPs in USA and India.
Mr. Pradhan is a great philanthropist too. Recently he donated Rs.10 lacs to building fund of CKP Mandal, Vile Parle.The newly constructed auditorium on the second floor of the Mandal’s building has been named after his father and the adjoining library is named after his wife.