Born the eldest of nine siblings to Mr. A S Parmeswara Iyer and Mrs. Bhagirathi Ammal, I grew up to take my responsibilities seriously at a very young age. One thing that I feel helped me while growing up was that I was always allowed to be curious. Was always encouraged to keep learning. This is one thing I feel has stayed true to this day in my life's journey. Probably that's why, post completing my graduation in Economics from Palakkad, Kerala (Govt. Victoria College), I moved to Mumbai, a city that is always alive, 24/7 a city that known for its opportunities.
Mumbai allows you to learn & earn. And that's exactly what I did. Between 1962 and 1968, completed Ll.B (Law), Government Diploma (post-graduation) in Company Secretaryship, Post Graduate Degree in Business Management, three separate courses at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute specialising in financial management, business management and personnel management. This served to be very decisive in my inclusion as a life member of Indian Institute of Personnel Management and Indian Institute of Public Administration. I started my career with ULKA Advertising in 1962 as a Chief Accountant cum Manager.
It was during my tenure as Company Secretary Cum Financial Director of LPE-Aiyars Pvt. Ltd., I got an opportunity to move to Japan in 1976, joining as the General Manager at a Swiss-based trading company. My thirst for knowledge continued and I went on to obtain few more degrees and diplomas from major educational institutions in Japan. Learning must never stop and am grateful to the various education institutions that shaped me as a person.
Imperial majesties Emperor Emeritus Akihito & Empress Emirita Michiko with Mani Family (Parameshwar in between the Imperial couple), Mrs Pushkala Mani, Dr Bakirathi Mani & APS Mani
The greatest strength of an individual is his family and am fortunate to be blessed with an extremely supportive and loving family.
My wife, Pushkala Mani, is my pillar of strength. We recently celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary. An avid reader, spending her six hours on reading, even today. She focused her attention on bringing up the children and guiding them for a good academic as well as an enriched life. She contributed greatly in social service causes. As a result of her efforts, we could create an excellent network amongst the Indian community in Tokyo. Together, we have hosted a variety of activities and get-togethers including dinners in honour of past Prime ministers and Presidents of India in Tokyo.
My daughter, Dr Bakirathi Mani, has always excelled academically, standing first in her IB exam, Japan. She graduated from Georgetown University, Washington DC -(School of Foreign Services) and completed her post-graduation in Asian studies from JNU, New Delhi. She went on to obtain her doctorate in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. Currently, she is the Presidential Penn Compact Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. Bakirathi's husband, Dr. Maria Ruiz is a doctorate in Modern Middle East history and Harvard alumnus. He had the good fortune of studying in Cairo for many years as part of his doctorate program. He is a Professor of History with Hofstra University, New York. They have a, Amar, who is academically very bright and active in various sports. He is a treasure for grandparents.
My son, Parameshwar Mani, was born and brought up in Tokyo. Like his sister, he too topped in his IB exam. He graduated from London School Economics, London specialising in Economics, Energy and Philosophy. He went on to complete his MBA from MIT, Boston following which he spent a few years working with Masdar in Abu Dhabi. He is a Consultant in Energy and funding the projects based in Tokyo. Parameshwar met his wife, Takako during his time in Abu Dhabi. She is a post graduate from Columbia University in New York. Takako is currently employed with Takeda Pharmaceuticals in a very senior position. Very recently, she was chosen for an on-job training program with Harvard University. Takako is a delegate for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They have a daughter, Amita, the most doted upon in the family. She is very bright and participates in a variety of extra-curricular activities like piano recital, aerobic dance, swimming to name a few.
In 2010, at the age of 70, I retired from professional life but continued to be active on the social front. In 2011, my wife and I moved into my ancestral house in Athipotta (Palakkad) built by my grandfather nearly a century and half ago.
I wanted the village to have a branch of nationalised bank with all facilities, including a 24 hours operative ATM. Allotted my land & premises and succeeded in inviting Union Bank of India, the first bank at Athipotta. We also refurbished the existing local club, which has an indoor sports centre and reading room, and added an extra floor. We also built a new bus stand for the village. On my late father's hundredth birthday, we conducted a free diabetic camp for the villagers under the able leadership of Dr A P Radhakrishnan (Palakkad Diabetic Centre) and team.
Today, I am devoting my retired life to social work in my village and immensely enjoy my routine interactions with villagers.