Pride of India - Rajendra K. Saboo (R. I. President 1991-92)

Rotary International District 3080

Rtn. Rajendra K. Saboo is Chairman of Saboo Business Group which includes KDDL Limited (formerly known as Kamla Dials and Devices Limited) a leading manufacturer of ornamental watch dials and watch components, Saboo Coatings Limited manufacturing specialised lacquers and surface coatings and ETHOS, high-end watch retail boutique chain.

 

Rtn. Saboo is Past President of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the premier business and industry association of North India.  He is also a member of the Managing Committee of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).  He is associated with many other trade and industrial associations as Committee Member or Special Invitee.  He has been founder Chairman of CII (Northern region), and Chairman of All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (Delhi and Punjab Chapter). 

 

On educational and cultural side, he has been a Fellow on the Senate of Punjab University and is currently serving as Chairman of Chandigarh Centre of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Member on the Governing Council of Thapar University, Patiala, Member on the Governing Board of Punjab Engineering College (a Deemed University), Chandigarh, Member of Academic Council of Guru Jambheshwar University, Hissar.  Being active in the Child Welfare Council, Blood Bank Society, he is deeply interested in the civic activities locally, nationally and internationally.  He also been the Member of Administrator’s Advisory Council which has been constituted by Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T.Chandigarh to advise Administrator on developmental issues and policy matters affecting the Union Territory of Chandigarh covering various issues of law, slum dwellers, foot path workers etc.

 

Having joined Rotary Club of Chandigarh in 1961, he continues to be a member and Past President of Rotary Club of Chandigarh.  He has served Rotary International in many capacities and to name a few of his formal positions, he has been District Governor (1976-77), Chairman and/or member of various R.I. Committees in different years, International Assembly Discussion Leader (1978 and 1979), R.I. Director (1981-83), R.I. President (1991-92), Chairman of The Rotary Foundation Trustees (1996-97) and Trustee of The Rotary Foundation (1992-98).  During his year as R.I. President, he had given to the world the R.I. Theme “Look Beyond Yourself” and his focused programmes were functional literacy and combating hunger

 

Rtn. Saboo has been responsible in initiating in Chandigarh many projects including “Gift of Life” and “Heartline” for cardiac corrective surgeries including heart valves replacement for children and young people from economically weaker sections of the society, a major voluntary blood bank in Chandigarh and Polio corrective surgeries in endemic areas within the country.

 

Since 1998 he and his wife Usha have been serving hands-on as volunteers in Rotary Medicare projects in Africa, and have worked in Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zambia & Malawi, Swaziland, Cambodia, Madagascar and Lesotho.

 

“Padma Shri” Award, was conferred upon Mr. Saboo by the President of India in March, 2006.  During 2005, he had been conferred a Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by H.N.Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttrakhand. During 2007, he has again been conferred a Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) by Panjab University which is the fourth oldest University in India  He has been recipient of several honours, recognitions and awards from Rotary and non-Rotary organizations.