by Jose Tachil, Karl Kuebel Foundation (KKF), India, August 2009
I met Mrs. Mary Ann Kübel and Mr. Karl Kübel first time in 1995 at Coimbatore airport. Three of us travelled in the same car to Kottagiri and as soon as the car started moving off, Kübel started asking me questions with the help of Mary Anne as our interpreter. The questions were focused, sharp and as I could guess, it was mostly to assess me and decide in his mind whether I am the person to takeover the affairs of the Foundation in India. After reaching Kottagiri, we had more pleasant exchanges and very fruitful stay there for few days, in between exchanging ideas about the construction, architecture and other details of the institute to be set up.
The value orientation of Mr. Kübel in this regard overwhelmed me
The same year, both my wife and I met Kübel at Odenwald and as my involvement became more and more deep in the Foundation work, my fascination and admiration for him multiplied as:
(a) In spite of being a successful entrepreneur, he sold his industry and donated the entire business assets and large part of his private assets for supporting the poor and for the well-being of human race world over.
Contrary to the above, in more than 31 years of my working life in industry, I find that most of the entrepreneurs accumulate their profits for the expansion, diversification and growth of their own organization. The value orientation of Mr. Kübel in this regard overwhelmed me.
(b) Kübel's own biological urge is family development. With a Human Touch - the finger prints are visible all over the stories of his life - He had expanded the boundaries of vision for elevating the poor in rural India.
(c) Execution is as important as vision and strategy. Kübel's drive and imagination fostered through the development cooperation's work, is a tribute to his long lasting endeavour.
We will dream his dream
The passion generated within me, urged to accomplish his wish and dream, motivated me to ultimately succeed in fulfilling the task of setting up Karl Kübel Institute and establish its operations on strong footing. The power of his ideas and the honesty of his intend will go a long way even as we transform the tomorrows of friends in the development process. His product was 'development'. His 'by-product' - self respect of families supported through development cooperation.
I believe that, the light Mr.Kübel lit must SHINE on and we will dream his dream.
