Heart and Soul: 100YO Malaysian planter is still working in oil palm plantation

V. Ranganathan celebrated his 100th birthday on April 12. He is the oldest living member of the Incorporated Society of Planters. Photo: Ben Lopez

Not many senior citizens live to celebrate their 100th birthday. But when one reaches this milestone, it is not surprising if one receives extra attention from their family, friends and well-wishers.

My friend, V. Ranganathan, whom I have known from my days in Teluk Intan in the early 1980s, belongs to this rare breed of people as he celebrated his 100 birthday on April 12, 2022.

While many his age may wish to spend their time on leisurely activities, doing social work and spending quality time with family and friends, Ranganathan still works part-time as a planter.

Divinely endowed with good health, this father of eight children, 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, lives life with zest and optimism, and a passion for his job.

“Waking up by seven in the morning, I am in my jeep driving 40km to Mon Repose Estate, located about an hour’s drive from Teluk Intan. There, I walk 2 to 3km to supervise the harvesting, transporting of oil palm fruits to the mill, and other day-to-day activities such as spraying and weeding. By noon, I make the hour-long drive back home to Teluk Intan. It is a daily routine from Monday to Friday,” says a beaming Ranganathan.

Ranganathan came to Malaysia at the tender age of 10 with his younger siblings – 10 brothers and three sisters. Upon completing his Senior Cambridge in 1939, Ranganathan joined the Cicely Group Estate Hospital as a probationary dresser. As a young man of 22 when his father passed away, he shouldered the responsibility of taking care of his family. He continued to do so even after he married at 24 and started his own family.

In 1940, the Second World War loomed and the Japanese occupation in Malaya brought challenging and uncertain days for the country. True to his nature, Ranganathan kept busy during the Japanese occupation by looking into the wellbeing of those around him.

His initiatives were noticed by the Japanese who requested that he accompany them on their visits to other estates. He received a letter threatening harm to him and his family if he did not cease assisting them. The Japanese offered to give him a revolver for his protection, but he politely declined.

After the war, in 1954, Ranganathan began his career as a planter and was made Cadet Assistant, and later promoted to Senior Planter. He managed Bagan Pasir Estate, on the outskirts of Teluk Intan, before being transferred to other estates in Negri Sembilan and Selangor. Prior to his retirement in 1980, he was manager of the Sungai Siput Estate. After his retirement, Ranganathan was offered a position as an Assistant Manager with United Plantations. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Dutch-owned Mon Repose Estate, a 300-acre (about 120ha) property, where he still holds the post of manager.

The management of estates has evolved over the years, from the time he started working as a planter. In the past, there was no shortage of labour and it was also easier to manage an estate because workers were able to effectively receive instructions. There were few problems.

“Today, it’s vastly different due to the shortage of labour which poses major challenges to the industry unless automation in estates is intensified,” opines Ranganathan.

Ranganathan holds the distinction of being the oldest living member of the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP). The seasoned planter is of the view that the role of the ISP is critical, as it is a conduit for closer collaboration between the planter and the plantation industry.

“The contributions of the ISP are crucial in facilitating planters to upgrade their agricultural knowledge,” notes the old hand, who believes a planter should “seize the opportunity” to be a member of this old and established association.

Carpe diem (or “seize the day”) has always been Ranganathan’s motto. He has always managed to combine his hectic schedule with charitable work. Some of his initiatives have included work for his alma mater (the Anglo-Chinese School in Teluk Intan), the Lower Perak Indian Association, as well as being a committee member of temple and sport associations.

In recognition of his services to the profession and society, Ranganathan was bestowed the PJK and JP awards by the Sultan of Perak for all his contributions.

Like any father, Ranganathan is proud that his son Gopala Krishna is following in his footsteps in the plantation sector. Father and son frequently exchange ideas on work-related matters.

It is clear from his daily routine that age has not slowed Ranganathan down and he is not planning to call it quits anytime soon. Currently, he lives with his daughter in Teluk Intan and fondly mentions that he is always accompanied everywhere by his wife of nearly eight decades, M. Pathma, who is now a nonagenarian.

Ranganathan is a grateful that he has been blessed with good health, and has lived to see the accomplishments of his children. Come what may, he still sees the work in the plantation sector as giving him tremendous satisfaction in the sunset of his life.