Success to Enlightenment: The Essence of Human Transformation | The Ramapuram Story | Global TV
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
The Legacy of the Ramapuram Brothers is a testimony to the power of Unity, Family Values and Integrity to transform the course of their family history. The remarkable success story of Evolve Back Resorts and other business ventures is deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Ramapuram Brothers; Immanuel, Abe, Thomas, George, Cherian, Dr. John, and Jose. Their journey is not merely about building a world-renowned hospitality brand and a reputed business group, but about upholding the values that define them as a uniquely united family.
Rooted in strong Christian principles, Ramapuram Brothers have always placed immense emphasis on faith, prayers, integrity, and ethical business practices. Their unwavering commitment to prayer has been a cornerstone of their decision-making process, guiding them through challenges and inspiring their vision.
Family core values remain at the heart of their leadership, fostering a culture of respect, trust, and unity among the family members. Their deep-rooted desire in sustaining their heritage reflects their upbringing. They give back to the society immensely by preserving the bounties of nature through responsible tourism.
Through their dedication to the family excellence with a constant moral compass set on to each of them, the Ramapuram Brothers built a brand synonymous with trust, credibility along with luxury and authenticity. They have established a long-lasting legacy of righteousness, compassion, and service to the greater good.
The Essence of the Story of Ramapuram Brothers
The story of the Ramapuram Brothers is truly remarkable, embodying the essence of a paradigm shift. Their journey offers valuable lessons on transformation; one that must come from within. Even assimilating a small part of their experience can elevate the history of families to new levels of success. This transformation is like shedding the burden of carrying a hill on your head and instead walking freely on top of it. Miracles begin with an invisible Emmaus experience.
Paradigm Shift happens at the moment we recognize the divine presence of God amongst us. God is very much alive in our positive words and good deeds. Human relationships are like crystal vessels. Each must be handled with great caution.
Even a slightest carelessness in handling human relations can lead to irreparable flaws that may cause lack of integrity. Every thought and every action must be undertaken with careful caution and approached at a greater consideration.
The Ramapuram Brothers learned this invaluable lesson from their father. Their father, in turn, learned it from his own experience. It took more than fifteen years for him to regain the momentum, after his siblings insisted to divide the ancestral property among themselves. What could have been achieved in a single year in unity took him more than a decade of hard work to accomplish it alone.
In his will document to divide his wealth among his seven sons, he explicitly expressed his wish that they should remain united and move forward together. He had ensured that the entire wealth was measured and divided among his children giving them freedom to or not to honour his wish. All seven sons honoured their father’s wish to the fullest spirit. More than that, they celebrated it.
Two years ago, when they acquired an additional 2,800-acre estate in Coorg, it became yet another success story born out of their unity. Success stories of the Ramapuram Brothers are offshoots of their father’s integrity and their mother’s prayers. Their victories stem from the happiness of others that takes precedence over individual gain. “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” This divine vision of seeing oneself and others as part of the same spiritual essence is deeply embedded in the philosophy of the Ramapuram Brothers.
The Legacy of Integrity
To truly understand the depth of the Ramapuram story, one must appreciate their unwavering commitment to integrity. The word “integrity” signifies a life where body, soul, words, and actions align in a singular, unwavering truth. As Gandhiji once said; “For one man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole.”
Even if one compromises in the smallest aspect of life, no amount of excellence in other areas can restore the feather of integrity to one’s crown. Legacy of Ramapuram Brothers is built on the foundation of integrity and beyond.
Their father, Thomas (Sunny) E. Ramapuram, and his father, Immanuel, were men of exceptional character who left a profound impact on those around them. They lived great life and quietly influenced and nurtured their community. They were men of wisdom with an enduring desire to leave a lasting legacy, shaping their roots through the profound impact of their passion for excellence.
Immanuel arrived in Coorg at the age of 21 as a forest ranger. The region was part of the Madras Presidency then. He fell in love with Coorg. But soon he had caught with malaria. He was taken to Fr. Muller Hospital in Mangalore. Though his elder brothers took him back home in Kerala, his love for Coorg never faded.
After returning home, he pursued a law degree and became a prominent lawyer. Inspired by Gandhiji’s call, he actively participated in the freedom struggle also. Long before India’s independence, Immanuel foresaw the departure of the British as he heard about their intention to sell off their estates. In 1921, he returned to Coorg and purchased two estates from the British. This marked technically the beginning of the Ramapuram success story. Immanuel’s eldest son, Thomas, had seven sons and four daughters. The seven sons; Immanuel, Abe, Thomas, George, Cherian, Dr. John, and Jose, came to be known as the renowned “Ramapuram Brothers.” As mentioned earlier, they decided to remain united honouring their father’s wish for them to remain together as a single unit.
Abe’s Awakening: A Spiritual Encounter
Abe is the second eldest among Ramapuram brothers. Their mother, Thresiamma, was a deeply prayerful woman. She raised her children with an unwavering commitment to faith. At his mother’s insistence, he attended a retreat at the Muringoor Divine Retreat Centre. Though he believed in God, Abe also took pride in his achievements. The retreat’s minimal comforts; thirty to forty people sharing a dormitory, limited bathroom facilities etc. did not set well with him. Knowing the morning rush for bathrooms, he deliberately woke up late.
By the time he reached the prayer hall, the session had already begun. Standing at the entrance, unsure where to sit, he suddenly heard a voice: “Here, I have reserved a seat for you.” To his amazement, he found an empty chair waiting for him. He sat down, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort, completely unaware that a profound and life-changing moment was about to unfold before him.
Though seated far from the stage, he distinctly felt as if God was speaking directly to him when he heard the voice: “What do you truly own? Is not everything you have a gift from me?” These words pierced his heart, stirring a deep realization that would stay with him forever. From that moment on, his heart was filled with nothing but gratitude. Today, for the Ramapuram Brothers and their future generations, an annual family retreat is mandatory. This family retreat has become a great blessing. A family of about a hundred members now reaps abundant rewards, reminding themselves and one another that everything is by the grace of God. It is their prayers that keep them together more than their achievements, binding them with a faith stronger than any worldly success.
The Constitution of the Family
From the moment they chose to stay together, the family began to evolve and grow in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. Ever since, they have moved forward with a unique determination. Eventually, they even drafted their own family constitution. Their unwavering commitment to unity goes beyond mere togetherness. They are filled with a deep-rooted belief that their strength lies in staying connected, supporting one another, and upholding shared values, ensuring that every generation carries forward this legacy of oneness.
The family’s wealth remains undivided. Though daughters receive their share at the time of their marriage, they and their children are still welcome to participate in the family business, enjoying salaries and other benefits like everyone else.
Everyone understands that the stronger their unity, the greater their prosperity. By rising above the concept of mere familial harmony, the Ramapuram brothers’ family stands tall, offering a mesmerizing vision of togetherness. Their deeply ingrained spiritual outlook not only binds them but also serves as a source of inspiration, making their journey truly remarkable.
Reflecting on the legacy of the great Alexander, who came into this world empty-handed and left the same way despite all his conquests, the Ramapuram brothers often engage in profound philosophical discussions, gaining deep insights into life. In their family, all children receive full financial support for their needs, along with salaries. Sons have equal rights to family property, ensuring fairness and unity. Those working outside the family are not expected to accumulate personal wealth but are encouraged to contribute to charity, reinforcing their commitment to a higher purpose. Here, every individual is like an open book, fostering an atmosphere of trust and transparency. What a beautiful concept it is, a family that not only prays together but also stays together, bound by faith, generosity, and shared values.
Annual Family Retreat and Daily Family Prayer
As mentioned earlier, once a year, the entire family gathers together for a spiritual retreat. This is an outstanding experience where children, in-laws, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren come together. Only a few ever miss it, and even they must ensure they attend another retreat within the year. When it comes to such matters, there are no compromises in the Ramapuram family’s constitution.
Family prayers are an essential part of life. Every day at 8:30 PM Indian time, all family members gather for prayer. Those in different time zones also join online whenever possible. Prayer is an experience, and so is every action in this family. Their foundation is built on a God-centred way of life.
A Disciplined Approach to Life and Business
The contrast between personal life and business is striking. Life can be simple, but business demands strategy and precision. Yet, integrity remains non-negotiable. Expecting bribes here would be a mistake because this is not how the Ramapuram family operates. Their ventures, particularly in the tourism sector, stand out for their unwavering commitment to the highest professional standards. Excellence is their hallmark, setting them apart in a competitive industry.
Despite operating across various countries and states, the Ramapuram family remains deeply rooted in prayer and devotion, ensuring that faith and values continue to guide their journey.
A Transparent Story and a Role Model for Families
The lessons to be learned from the Ramapuram brothers are not just about unity; they also impart wisdom about humility, faith, and pure intentions.
We all walk around carrying cheque books signed by God. The real question is whether we have the faith and determination to stand firm like a mountain. There is no doubt that the first thing we need to acquire is God’s signature in our lives.
Success requires a clear sense of purpose and unwavering focus. When Peter saw Jesus’s walking on water, he too wished to walk. Jesus allowed him, and Peter took his first few steps. However, the moment his focus shifted from his goal to the troubled waters, he began to sink. What really happened there?
The Ramapuram brothers firmly believe that unity and family cohesion are irreplaceable. True success is not just about ambition but about walking forward with unwavering faith, clarity of purpose, and an unshakable belief. Everything is a divine gift. When faith becomes the foundation, and determination fuels the journey, even the most turbulent waters cannot shake one’s path. It is this profound understanding that transforms not just actions but entire ways of life.
Let us reflect; Shall we learn lessons from this humble family?
Human existence is a journey. Many times, we move through the streams, valleys and hills of pride. Sometimes we may get into ignorance and arrogance. We keep climbing the hills of ambition as an ongoing process. Those who are fortunate may ascend the heights of wisdom. At the core of this journey lies transformation, a shift from illusion to truth, from self-importance to self-awareness.
This transformation is not merely about acquiring knowledge or wealth but about undergoing a fundamental change in how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. It can be a movement from the Hill of Ego, where the self is at the centre, to the Hill of Enlightenment, where wisdom and interrelation define our reality.
Many of us are at the peak of our egos. The Hill of Ego is a false summit, one that deceives individuals into believing they have reached the pinnacle of success and understanding. It is a place where pride, rigid beliefs, and attachment to power overshadow humility and openness. Many people, organizations, and even entire civilizations spend their existence here by operating from a paradigm that values control, dominance, and material gain over deeper wisdom.
History and personal experience repeatedly show us that such hills, however high it may seem, ultimately crumbles under the weight of its own limitations. We get into various paradigms ultimately to get into the paradigm of transformation. It often begins with a crisis; a moment of reckoning that shakes the very foundation of one’s assumptions. This could be personal loss, failure, an encounter with a profound truth, or a realization of the futility of ego-driven pursuits.
Such moments force individuals and societies to descend from their false summit, questioning long-held beliefs and recognizing the limitations of their current way of being. This descent, though painful, is necessary; without it, the journey to higher understanding cannot begin. This has to happen to make the life of many of us set right and to take it to the next level to set everything bright.
As one moves away from ego and toward enlightenment, a shift in consciousness occurs. The focus shifts from control to surrender, from competition to cooperation, from self-centred ambition to a greater sense of purpose. This is the essence of human transformation. The ability to let go of outdated paradigms and embrace new perspectives that align with truth and wisdom. It is not merely an intellectual process but a transformation of the heart and spirit, where one no longer sees the world as fragmented but as an interconnected whole.
The Hill of Enlightenment is not reached through force or external achievement, but through inner stillness, deep reflection, and openness to truth. The realization that the true power comes not from controlling others but from understanding oneself. The enlightened individual or society recognizes that real growth is not measured by material accumulation or external validation but by wisdom, compassion, and a sense of service to something greater than oneself.
Throughout history, great thinkers, spiritual leaders, and changemakers have embodied this journey. From the Buddha’s renunciation of worldly illusions to modern-day movements for justice and sustainability, the path remains the same. It is a shift from self-centred existence to a more profound engagement with truth. The story of the disciples in the Bible beautifully illustrates this transition: they move from despair and blindness to realization and enlightenment, not through external changes but through a transformation in perception.
At its core, the journey from the Hill of Ego to the Hill of Enlightenment is the essence of human existence. It is the path we are all called to walk, whether consciously or unconsciously. The question is not whether change will come, but whether we will embrace it with resistance or with wisdom. True transformation is not about discarding the self but about refining it. Elevating our consciousness so that we may live in alignment with truth, love, and purpose.
