Late Giyananand Naidu will be missed by Reddy Group
GIYANANAND NAIDU HAD A BIG IMPACT ON LIVES, SAYS COLLEAGUE
The impact Giyananand Naidu, Reddy Group director Finance and Property (Fiji), has made in the lives of the Reddy Group staff is beyond count and unforgettable.
These were the words of the Tanoa Hotel Group (Fiji) Area General Manager Narend Kumar in an interview yesterday, following the passing away of Mr Naidu, on Monday, January 27, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Mr Naidu started work at Reddy Construction company Ltd in September 1973.
Mr Kumar said: “He worked in many projects including those in Solomon Islands, and in Fiji including Rakiraki, Labasa and Lautoka. He started off as a labourer, worked as a storeman.
“He left Reddy Group for a while to move to Canada but upon his return, he rejoined the company.
“His level of integrity, commitment and loyalty took him up the ranks of being the Group Accountant, General Manager Finance and Property to being the Director Finance and Property for the entire Fiji operations.
“He was based in Fiji for the majority of his term with the company. He treated the company as his own and became the face of Reddy Group in Fiji with Yanktesh Permal Reddy also known as YP Reddy being away in New Zealand mostly.”
Mr Naidu was originally from Lautoka, married to Chandra Mani Naidu.
“He has two sons - Avinesh and Arunesh and a daughter – Priya. He has four grandchildren.”
Righthand man
Mr Naidu had worked very closely with Mr Reddy. “He was a key player in the growth of Reddy Group. “He was closely involved in the acquiring of various business entities, in the development of all Tanoa Hotels in Rakiraki, Plaza, Nadi, and Lautoka.
“With Mr Reddy away in NZ, Mr Naidu was the go to man for all approval and major enquiries.” Mr Kumar said he was also the contact person for external parties.
“He handled the day to day financial activities and was the man in- charge of all Fiji operations .
“He was not only the right hand man, he was the trusted right hand of Mr Reddy. “There are only a few that have been with Mr Reddy till now since the inception of the company. Mr Naidu was one of them.
“He was not only an employee, he was a member of the Reddy family. He was treated like a son.”
Many remember Mr Naidu as a man who had a heart for the people around him.
“He wanted people around him to be happy.
“He showed concern for the welfare of his staff. He was also very involved in community work.
“He was the president and manager of the Lautoka Primary School, was the treasurer of the national Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (TISI) board and also an active member of Lautoka TISI and Girmit Council.
“He was also involved and headed charity work for the company. He was also very much of a family man. He placed huge value on his wife and children.” He was a man that respected his staff regardless of position, age and status. “You would not hear him yell or shout at a staff even for non -compliance. He was a humble man.
“He was leader that made his mark through how he carried himself.
“An exemplary figure that emphasised the company values and vision of Mr YP Reddy – where staff are valued and respected for who they are. This is what he taught his people.
“He taught us to not doubt ourselves, to take hold of opportunities and run with it.
“He understood the difficulties of his people and made ways to help them. These will not be forgotten.”
Respected leader
Mr Kumar said Mr Naidu was a very senior and highly respected member of the executive management of Reddy Group.
“He dedicated his entire life to serving the company.
“Starting from the early 1970s, he worked with available resources and adjusted himself to changes as they came through.
“He was always looked up to by many of us.
“Though it still does not seem as if he has left us, his presence will surely be missed by us.
“He has left a vacuum that cannot be filled.”