The irony here is, me, having brought up in Chennai for 26 years, I very recently came to know about this European born – Chennai settled icon, through a TV channel in England. Born in haven of new trends - France, Fabre moved to Chennai in 1971 with his family to pursue an assignment in leather factory. It was said that he suffered an unfortunate decade by loosing his job in Chennai and support from this family. With no heart to quit India, he joined a clothing company for a mediocre salary, to push his day to day living; and that’s where he met his current business partner.
During this time, to control his frustration and anxiety from his personal and professional front he took solace in spirituality. Drawn by Hinduism and YOGA, he gradually went on to become a monk shedding worldly pleasures. Despite being in clothing industry with international tie-ups, Swamiji always clad saffron robe around, even while meeting his high profile global clients. Living in a modest apartment in Chennai and drawing a minimal salary (worth $200 per month) to lead his simple life, he enjoys being one of the highest tax paying business men in the city.
Fashions international is now nearing 25 successful years with her very recently launched brand called DUDE, in city. Living a content lifestyle, Swamiji is said to work only 10 days in a month from office. This devoted disciple of Lord Shiva, spends majority of his time in an ashram near Kolli Hills (kollimalai), from where he depend on internet technology to connect to his business colleagues and clients around the world.
Here is an excerpt of Swamiji’s addressing to a gathering in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A CEO and a Monk
One of the agendas in my next call to Chennai is to visit the ashram in Kolli Hills, or the least as a minimal means to show my respect to this great soul, I would surely purchase a product from their fashion house – DUDE in Besant Nagar.
Copyright © Sivi 02-Mar-2010
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