Sister Rajeshwari Natarajan is currently serving as the Managing Director of Securitisation at Deloitte & Touche Assurance and Enterprise Risk Services India Private Limited. Her journey is a shining testament to the transformative power of value-based education and the lifelong grace of being Swami’s student. A B.Com. (Hons.) graduate from the Anantapur campus (1998–2001), Rajeshwari’s roots trace back to Chennai. She completed her schooling in Gurugram before she entered the Institute that would shape her character, conviction, and purpose in life. Today, she leads multiple teams and supports financial services clients at Deloitte, carrying forward the values ingrained in her during her formative years.
The Connection and The Calling
Her connection with Swami began long before campus life. She recalls receiving her first Swami darshan in Abbotsbury, Chennai, as a young child – an early blessing she now sees as part of a greater Divine journey. To her, becoming Swami’s student was never merely an academic pursuit; it was a sacred calling, one that came with the responsibility to live and lead by the values He taught.
The Master and His Institute
In her own words, her admission to the campus was almost accidental; she initially arrived on campus hesitant about hostel life and a rigorous academic routine. But with time, she started to deeply value the education system and the environment that shaped her.
Life at the institute was itself a profound learning experience. From hostel upkeep and kitchen duties to serving fellow students and maintaining the surroundings, students were trained not only academically but also to lead a meaningful life of service. These everyday responsibilities quietly shaped her self- reliance, independence, humility, and willingness to contribute to a positive change in any capacity. Even today, Rajeshwari sees those lessons reflected in her professional life, where she remains ready to roll up her sleeves and deliver with grace and commitment.
Academically, the B.Com (Hons) programme was demanding. The days began early with special classes, and an intense learning pace. Yet the rigour was balanced by a wide range of activities: if one semester was all about academic excellence, another focused on sports; if one summer was spent in Kodaikanal basking in Swami’s love and care, another was spent in Whitefield grasping the profundity of Indian Culture and Spirituality through the summer course.
The visits to Puttaparthi offered hands-on opportunities to serve the community, such as through Gram Seva. Through all of it, agility, service, and inner balance became a natural way of life. One of the most enduring lessons she learned at the institute was the discipline of silence. Though difficult at first, especially in an environment filled with chatter, years of practice helped her appreciate its power. Through silence, you begin to observe more, a key to leadership. Knowing when to speak up and when to hold back is an art.
Today, she credits that training for her ability to stay focused, humble, grounded, and quietly effective in the workplace.
Sister Rajeshwari considers herself deeply fortunate for the value-based education of exceptional quality. Wanting to give back in a meaningful way, she later collaborated with some of the NGOs in Puttaparthi to develop accessible educational content for under-served children in rural schools.
Sai Maa – The Motherhood
That same spirit of love and responsibility she inculcated, now finds its most meaningful expression in her role as a mother. Blessed with two sons, she has raised them with values rooted in deep presence and conscience. Staying closely connected through their growth, she instilled the values that once shaped her. While professional roles can evolve, transition, or even conclude, the role of a mother remains enduring and ever-present. For Rajeshwari, her motherhood is a living commitment. She balances honesty with warmth, helping her sons to understand the realities of professional life while reassuring them that her priority, above all, is to always be there for them.
Advice to the young graduates
Her message to today’s students is heartfelt and timeless: “Every moment at the institute is precious. Study with sincerity, work with dedication, and help one another with love. Stay grateful for the gift you have received. Remember your roots, honour your journey, and walk forward with purpose. She reminds us that being Swami’s student is not a choice under your control – it is a Divine blessing bestowed by Him. And with that blessing comes a sacred responsibility: to make every moment count.
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The views expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of her current, former, or future employers or any organization with which she is associated.
