The Full DNA : Gowri Rajan 

Anusha David spotlights the hottest styles and statements in and around Sri Lanka – from political leaders to celebrity CEOs, masters of the game to fashion icons and stars of the silver screen and stage. Here are society’s leaders talking about the determination, vision, smarts, competence and professionalism. Today, she speaks to Gowri Rajan. 

Gowri Rajan, needs no introduction. A second generation Rotarian, she was introduced to the values of Rotary at the early age of 10 by her Rotarian father the late Past President T. R R Rajan. After a short spell of membership in the Rotaract Club of Kandy she founded the Rotaract Club of Katugastota in 1999 and became its Charter President. She joined the Rotary Club of Kandy in 2002 and was invited to serve in the District within a year even before assuming office as Club President. 

She was unanimously nominated the First Lady Governor for Zone 5 A. At District level since joining Rotary, apart from several citations, she has the honour of being awarded the District’s Exceptional Rotarian of the Year on three occasions. Gowri is a Major Donor, a Benefactor, a founder life member of the Rotary Center Sri Lanka and has the very rare distinction of having attended 6 Rotary Institutes, even before being elected District Governor. In 2014 she made history by being elected First Lady Governor for Rotary Sri Lanka. 

Gowri graduated from the University of Bangalore, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology and English Literature. After graduation she followed a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. A qualified marketer by profession, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and is currently Group Marketing Director of Sun & Asoka Group of Companies & Orion International Pvt Ltd .Gowri is also a member of the Institute of Management Sri Lanka. Among her civic activities – she is a member of 16 organisations that include the Chamber of Commerce Central Economic Region, Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Toastmasters Club, Kandy. Her varied hobbies include “collecting friends”, shooting as a sport, working out at the gym and golf. 

What would you say is the driving force in your life? 

My faith in Jesus Christ and he is in control of my life. 

As a woman in both business and civic life what would your advice be to other young women aspiring to follow in your footsteps? 

Believe in your instincts and follow your passion single-mindedly because in dreams and in love there is never an impossibility. 

Having studied both in Sri Lanka as well as India, what are the most significant lessons you have learnt from the academic institutions of both countries? 

We must give life to the certificate that the education institute that we passed out from, by demonstrating our competency at work. 

What made you initially join Rotary? 

My father. He has been the inspiration behind me joining Rotary. He taught me that life is not measured by what you have but what you are inside - friendship, tolerance, intergrity, which are the values of Rotary. 

Describe your life growing up and schooling in Kandy. 

I was raised under strict parental control and a close knit extended family of uncles and aunts. Being from a traditional family we grew up not knowing the difference between cousins and siblings. The ethic of our life is working hard and being honest to the job we do. My grandfather P.T. Rajan, a well known philanthrophist instilled in us his motto “Duty First, Pleasure Next”. 

Do you think women in Sri Lanka need greater representation in civic as well as corporate and government sectors? 

Yes and the only ones who can make this happen are the 'women of Sri Lanka'. It begins with us. The logic being research has revealed that women can multitask, they are not scared to take bold decisions and they normally give leadership to a family. 

As a certified marketer how do you think Sri Lanka should market itself? 

As a diversified country we need to be  compact and , but sadly Sri Lanka has not yet done the basics of destination marketing vis a vis positioning the country. 

Does joining an organization such as Rotary better equip one for life and if so, how? 

For sure. It irons out the rough edges in one's personality and makes us a better being every day. That's what makes Rotary come alive in people's lives. Rotary has certainly moulded me in to what I am today. 

What was the most significant moment of your governorship in Rotary? 

Despite all the challenges, for the first time in the history of Rotary, Sri Lanka was placed number 2 in the world for highest per capita giving to the Foundation to do good in the world. I guess this justifies the top Sri Lanka ranking as the top nation in the ' world giving index' that was recently released globally. 

Name 3 leaders you admire and your reasons for doing so. 

1. Nelson Mandela – for fighting for his purpose for 27 years in jail that brought peace to South Africa. 

2. K.R.Ravindran - CEO of Printcare Plc and the first Sri Lankan to head Global Rotary. He not only put Sri Lanka on the world map but provided an innovative leadership. 

3. Mark Zuckerberg - though  a billionaire, leads a very simple life. 

Name 3 books that have influenced you the most and why. 

I loved reading books when in school but the world has changed. Now its mainly journal articles, economic times, podcasts and blogs. 

How does your family inspire you? 

Being in a family run business my family is very supportive. It also happens that my entire family are Rotarians. In fact my mother was invited by the World President of Rotary during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2014 to join Rotary. This was at the time when I was the governor of Rotary and it was a very emotional and proud moment for me. For every key event my family has always been there. I cannot forget yet another pillar in my life, my uncle Suri Rajan who is beside me all the time. 

We celebrate International Women's Day on 10 March – what are the changes you would like to see in Sri Lanka vis a vis women’s rights? 

More women to be in the boardrooms of corporate Sri Lanka. 

Do you think all women should have a career of some sort even if is only part time? 

It's all about giving purpose to your life and the talent that God has given you. Let it work for the good of society. 

What is your opinion on same sex relationships? 

I don't believe in it but who am I to judge? 

Do you think abortion should be legalized? 

That is a very debatable topic but as a Christian it should not. 

What was the proudest moment of your life to date? 

Time to time it keeps changing but maybe the most recent moment was being accepted to do my doctoral studies by one of top universities of the world. 

What is the single most important quality needed in a relationship be it platonic or emotional? 

The person must be your best friend. 

What is the single most important quality needed to be successful in the work place? 

The ability to pick up the pieces and get back to the drawing board every time you fail until one day you succeed. 

How would you like to be remembered? 

A woman who never gave up on life even in the toughest of circumstances. 

Interviewed by Anusha David