The highlight of any big gathering
is always the keynote speech.
Ram Menen is the speaker this year at CNS Partnership,
having retired from Emirates SkyCargo two years ago after shepherding
the enterprise from a 1985 start-up into a leader of international logistics.
To be sure, Ram built a first–class team, something
he is never reluctant to share with anyone who will listen.
But along the way Ram Menen also became the clear voice
of reason and support for several air cargo organizations.
While developing SkyCargo into a global powerhouse and
all that entails, Ram Menen somehow found the time and had the heart to
help almost everyone.
In this regard, Ram Menen can be considered a true great,
and beyond that, as history lengthens, the greatest airline cargo executive
in history.
Now he is the CNS Keynoter for the Monday April 20th
morning session.
But there is no thought of coming back to cargo.
Ram says emphatically:
“I enjoy my retirement and have no thought of
returning. But air cargo as we all know is a heart and soul thing. You
simply cannot turn off, drop out, and never think about this business,
especially after spending your whole life serving this industry.
“Lately, keeping a weathered eye out as air cargo
development continues, I am thinking about this industry we all love in
a different light, as an outsider.
“I am reminded of what George Bernard Shaw wrote
in 1903 for his play Man and Superman:
“‘The reasonable man adapts himself
to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world
to himself.
“‘Therefore all progress depends on the
unreasonable man.’
“Today the challenges of air cargo—for both
the individual and the companies involved—have never been greater.
“But there is a sameness to what we do and say
at our meetings and gatherings that despite the efforts of many seem to
stifle our potential.
“I love my front row seat in the gallery, watching
the game without the stress the players go through. I can see the entire
arena and get a better perspective of the game.
“I can let my mind wander without any constraints
and see what we can achieve in a very evolving world where traditional
barriers are being ripped apart by disruptive technological developments.
“Yes, I am optimistic looking at the future.
“I believe we need to continue to develop and
nourish the partnership, working together and helping each other so that
the great international air cargo community our industry has become can
ensure its future,” Ram said.
Superman may have retired and put away his uniform and
cape, but it’s good to know that in 2015, for a few days at least,
industry superhero Ram Menen is out there flying among us.
Geoffrey/Sabiha |
