A life with numbers and beyond

Subbu has been working for Auroville for the last 14 years. He’s best known for his long-standing work for Auroville Village Action Trust (AVAT) where he is now Director of Finances and the Sustainable Livelihood Institute, where he is Executive Director. Perhaps less known is his consultation work for many of Auroville’s services and units, for which he has established new and improved accounting systems. 

Growing up in Pondicherry, Subbu’s career direction was determined early in life. “I shared my father’s wish to study chartered accountancy,” he recounts. “We were living in the centre of Pondy in a big joint-family house; more than 42 people were there. People say we were all brilliant in maths. My older siblings all studied hard and migrated to Canada and UK, where they work as accountants.” 

After graduating with his Bachelor of Commerce degree, Subbu started studying chartered accountancy.  But when his father died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 49, his plans were interrupted. “My mother asked me to close his business and I attended to that. A lot of people cheated us and did not repay us properly. I could not finish the CA exam, and my mother asked me to go for a job.” 

Subbu’s launch into the working world in a Pondicherry company was something of a baptism of fire. “I was given 300 ledgers, and I had to tally the balance. It took me one month. I did it all manually, so I learned a lot.” 

He was mentored there by a kind boss, who suggested that Subbu should meet Auroville’s Alain Bernard. The December 2004 tsunami had just taken place, and Subbu was invited to come on board as the accountant for Auroville’s Tsunami Relief project, a project under AVAT. He soon became AVAT’s chief accountant, and a few years later, also took on the same role for the Sustainable Livelihood Institute. He was eventually promoted into executive roles in both places. 

Over time, various Auroville services and units have invited him to overhaul their accounting systems. He has established systems and trained accountants for City Services, SEDAB, Pitchandikulam, Bread & Chocolate, the Land Board, and the Government of India grants for Auroville’s 50th birthday. He is currently implementing a new system for the Housing group.

Subbu spends his working days moving between different Auroville services and units, implementing and overseeing the systems he has installed. “I have a big team – 11 people in different units. I can create accounting systems easily. But training new people for each unit takes six months. We have to explain accounting in a certain way, which only I can do. I have to attend each unit every day until the work comes up to my satisfaction.” Subbu recruits commerce graduates as new trainees, and he generally sources them from Reach for the Stars Auroville’s initiative that funds talented village students to attend college. “The Reach for the Stars candidates know some English. They are already trained by Stephanie and have some experience in Auroville projects.”

Subbu claims that Auroville is still learning about good accounting systems and the importance of maintaining them. “80% are good, SAIIER is very good, but the remaining units need to improve. The problem is that they want to pay only a minimal amount for accounting. And often the older accountants are doing accounts like a data entry job only.”

He argues for the need to tailor accounting systems to each unit. “We should not standardise. I look at the unit, the trust and the management, at the overall system and the audit requirements, in order to see how they should develop their accounting. For example, a micro-finance institution needs to make different accounting reports from a unit.”

He is currently setting up a system in Housing, which requires cross-checking data from the last eight years, which is then entered into the new system. “It will take three months at least. The whole system has to be tallied and cross-checked with other parties, so that the liability, assets and figures all correlate.”

Subbu also juggles auditing work for companies and projects outside Auroville. So how does working ‘outside’ compare with working for Auroville? 

“Here, there is a pleasant atmosphere, without pressure. Outside, it’s high pressure and constant deadlines. They say, ‘Tomorrow we need this report.’ I prefer a more professional and ethical approach. Nowadays, I’m not doing it to earn money. In Auroville, there are deadlines, but there is time to work on it.”

Subbu became an Associate of Auroville (a category of Auroville supporter) a few years ago, and he holds a long-term aspiration to join Auroville. “I find it very good, that’s why I’ve been working here for 14 years now. I like the environment. Before coming to Auroville, I was not systematic or disciplined. I changed myself by attending a lot of the classes here, such as integral yoga and Monica Sharma’s workshop. Coming to Auroville has changed me a lot, mentally and health wise. Before, I only spoke with the top level, like my father did.  Now, I speak with everyone, like the gardener and amma, and learn about their issues and what can be done for them.”

Subbu’s two-year-old son attends Auroville’s pre-crèche. “I like Auroville schools. I want a good education for him. I studied in Pondicherry, but it was like a jail from 8am until 7.30pm. You’re not able to turn this way or that way, no talking, everything is every strict. I don’t want my son to go through that.” 

Subbu confesses to working 16 hours most days. “I come to Auroville at 5am. Then I can finish the work without distractions. My family don’t like me working like this. They say that when I go home, I should not touch work, and should spend more time with them.” 

He also confesses to a huge love of cinema: “All kinds! All languages! I’m a fan of [Tamil movie star] Rajnikanth. I always go first day, first show. I am part of the Rajni fan club!” However, while most of us approach cinema as pure entertainment, Subbu does not compartmentalise his life so easily. “I even work in the cinema. At the cinema and at home, I will watch the screen while writing a report on my laptop. I reply to all the emails in the cinema. I can type automatically. My wife doesn’t like it. She will stare at me. When I’m with my family at the cinema, I have to stop it, or go outside to send emails.”

Subbu concedes that accountancy is not the most visible part of a unit’s success. “Most people don’t know what I’m doing, because I take all the responsibility on my shoulders to get it done.”  He has appreciated the promotions he has received within AVAT, as well as respect from government officials who have come to assess Auroville’s implementation of government grants – “they praised the accounting system”. 

As for his workaholic tendencies, Subbu says the arrival of his son has forced him to try to change his habits. “I’m changing a little bit. I’ve reduced the professional workshops I attend, and now I go to the temple or Matrimandir with my family. I’m trying to have a healthy body and concentration. I should spend time with my son.”