As many of you may know, Dr Seethalakshmi and Sir Ramachandran (Anatomist) passed away due to illness, in the past few years. I wanted to mention this at our reunion but didn't. So I am dedicating this blog to both of them . May their souls rest in peace.
Dr VS Kumaran has come forward with an eulogy which follow and if others have thoughts about our friends, please share with us.
Eulogy Hi friends,
It is a great idea that after all these times we all get to meet again. Time has gone by and we have all changed..some for better...some for worse I guess :)(giggle)....I cant imagine it has been 25 years since we first set foot at KMCH. I for one cant imagine that I am on the wrong side of forty..:) now...
I have been moving around - no roaming around- the past 12 years of my life...Now for the past couple of weeks I am asking myself WHY? - I know- some of you think "mid life crisis" - very true.
We are all trying to search for something - some of us know "what"- most of us (like myself)dont :)(giggle)- that is why we never get to find what we are searching for....(more giggles)
We get upset, we cry and moan and groan & curse and fight &.... all without really knowing the whys..whats and wheres of whatever it is...?........that we are searching...
But Seethalakshmi was the one who just breezed through it all...I never got to know her well or at all through our KMC days. I was a shy loner most of those days, I suppose. It was nearly 2-3 years out of KMC that I met her at CHILDS trust hospital Chennai. She was training to be an anaesthetist. I cant imagine a day that she didnt have a smile on her face.
She was the bubbly sort who can infuse life into anything that she came across. She had simple ambitions, easy to please and it looked as though she just loved "living"....
With my retrospectoscope I think we never got close but she never ever made me feel that I am out of the loop. She never told me she had cancer but not one day I felt ..looking back that she treated me as someone outside her inner circle...:)
How many of us can be with others making the other person the most important person all the time and still be happy and cheerful - She could-
no airs, no ego, no dramas...
She just went about her way laughing, smiling, feeling proud of friends, mothering them along... all the time having this deadly disease inside her and knowing it-
I could see many times that she was proud of me (not that I was doing anything great) but she had this way about her - "Kumaran and I were batchmates" she would say whenever she wants to show her appreciation and now when I think of her I feel previlaged that Seethalakshmi and "I" were batchmates...that she was our class of '84
She was also searching I am sure but did it with a smile....
I just wanted you guys to know how she lived her life."- VS Kumaran.
Thank you Kumaran for your Eulogy on Seethalakshmi. I also really feel sad that I never knew Seethalakshmi during our medical school days. The reunion helped to know each of our class mates better than the undergarduate days.
ReplyDeleteWe missed your presence in the reunion, probably will meet you in next reunion. It was nice to see your photo in the CD prepared by Priscilla and the team.
prem
How nice of you,Kumaran, to share your thoughts of the days you spent with our ever smiling Angel,Dr.Seethalakshmi! She was such an easy going person, would always present a smily face, and had such a lovely personality.I shall always cherish the memories of the times we had some friendly conversations.
ReplyDeleteMay her soul rest in peace.
Premalatha
Thank you Kannan for the Eulogy long overdue.|
ReplyDeleteI rememember Seethalakshmi, walking back and forth from the hostel, always smiling
It is indeed sad that when, she was fighting for her life, many of us were going about our lives, blissfully unaware.
She will be well remembered for her cheery nature and undying spirit!
May she rest in peace.
Ramzan
Kumaran,
ReplyDeleteIt is very emotional to read what you have written.Thank you for remembering her , it is very genuine,warm and touching.
When I saw the word "deceased" beside her name,the emotions that I felt are inexplicable.
It was a vague mixture of shock, disbelief, horror, sadness and guilt. How could she die?
She was always smiling ,energetic and cheerful.
We thought about her a lot during the reunion.
She will always be with us in spirit.
Meenakshi
Kumaran, your eulogy was very touching.Like everyone said, when I think of Seethalakshmi, its the perpetual smile on her face that comes to my mind. Thank you for giving us the oppotunity to pay our respects to her here. May her soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteKalyani
Kumaran,
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping me understand Seethalakshmi. Like you, I did not get to know her well in KMC. "She was the bubbly sort who can infuse life into anything that she came across" allowed me to understand the essence of her life. I do sincerely hope she attained athma shanthi.
As for our moving around and searching, it is always difficult connect the dots during the process of "living". I will attach commencement speech from Steve Jobs (Apple CEO)to Stanford Graduating Class in a separate comment. He perhaps makes the best case for our continuous roaming and searching.
Natesh
Dear friends,
ReplyDeleteI have saved the commencement speech from Steve Jobs (Apple CEO) to share with my children, when they grow up. Please share this with your children, if you wish. During our reunion Dr. Viswanath Rao advised us to be careful in planning medical career for our children, given the poor prospects for future Doctors. I believe that we should not be in the business of micromanaging career of our children. We should allow them to pursue their individual abilities and interests. Steve Jobs makes the best case for it.
Cut and paste this link to read his speech.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html
Natesh
Thank you Kumaran for the touching eulogy!
ReplyDeletewhenever i think of seethalakshmi the first thing that comes to my mind is her smiing face. we stayed together in the hostel for 5 years- and i have never seen that smile leave her face. she was a bubbly, lively bundle of joy!
i was initially shocked and saddened when i learnt about her.stil feeling guilty about not keeping in touch with her and not sharing her pain.
thanks kumaran for helping us remember her.
may her sole rest in peace!
Ranjani
Hai Kumaran,
ReplyDeleteIt is really painful to go through your eulogy.Actually i proposed to Dr Prabakar to observe a minute of silence on the day of formal function held at KMC remembering Seetha.Somehow we didn't do it.It will be rectified in the upcoming meet.My deep condolescence to Dr SEETHALAKHSMI,to whom i have never spoken.
Dear Friends
ReplyDeleteThanks for the condolences to seethalakshmi.
I know her only as an ever smiling lady who just past through after the classes and participate in answering questions in the clinical discussion. i saw her last in child trust hospital doing DNB anaesthesia.
May her soul rest in peace.
Regarding Ramji sir
As you all know we(me,raghu&raghu, srikanth) knew him better than others, surprisingly i did not know about his demise until recently.
he was friendly, entertaining and intresting personality. may his soul rest in peace.
Ravi
Thank you,Kumaran for your befitting eulogy.
ReplyDeleteSeethalakshmi will always remain in our memories as a cheerful, warm, person who could never pass you by, without a smile.
None of us would have remembered her in unison as now.
Teaches us to not take everything or everyone for granted.
May her soul rest in peace.
Rachula
Kumaran - That was very moving indeed.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what makes me angry is how her final days went unnoticed (at least - the majority). We could have helped her in so many ways.
At least in future we should have a robust system (network) in place for classmates in trouble.
May she rest in peace.
Some are in our life for a season ,some for a reason ,only a few are with us forever. She has gone but I always felt that she made me rich with her MILLION Dollar smile.
ReplyDeleteKumaran , do you know if she was married? any kids?
Premakumari
I met Jothi the Artist ( She was very good in drawing , esp histolgy diagrams ) from our batch many years ago at a bus stop near my home.She told me that she had a surgery for brain tumor.I laughed at her thinking it was a joke .... it was April 1st.She was married with a 5yr old boy. I didn't bother to get her phone no.Now looking back , I wish I had kept in touch with her.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know about her.
premakumari
Prem Kumari,
ReplyDeleteits nice to hear from you after so long. No, I havent heard anything about Jyothi, we can only hope and pray she is well. We missed you at the reunion, pl keep blogging so we all remain in touch
Ramzan
Dear Ramzan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your welcome.Premalatha told me that you are more beautiful than ever.I was so busy at that time.So I couldn't make it.Looking forward to the next Reunion.
Premakumari
Though Premakumari missed the event, her mind was totally with us, Ramzan.On Aug 9th, first thing in the early morning, she called me and was asking everything about our Reunion.
ReplyDeleteFor those who missed- It is still not the same as being there!!
hi Premakumari
ReplyDeleteWe missed you in the reunion. we have a photo of the unit mates without you. Hope to meet you in next one.
Keep in touch.
prem
Thanks Natesh, for sharing the link to Steve Jobs' commencement speech at Stanford. Very inspiring & thought provoking indeed, especially the ones about "connecting the dots" & "loving what you do". A must read for those with school age kids. My daughter loved it!
ReplyDeletekalyani
HEY GUYS NICE TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO WERE CLOSE TO US AND DEPARTED .
ReplyDelete'' THE POPULARITY OF A PERSON IS NOT HOW MANY PEOPLE HANG AROUND HIM WHEN HE IS ALIVE , BUT IS JUDGED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ATTEND HIS FUNERAL ''
MATHI
Dear Prem ,
ReplyDeleteYou haven't changed much except for silver on your hair and more meat.
premakumari
Hi Premkumari
ReplyDeleteThank you for your generous compliment but 'U" are the beautiful one. Your hubby and you make a fine couple.
Mathi,
thank God you have escaped from your self-imposed exile! What I cant understand is why Raghuram has crawled under the same rock, where Latha is?
Killio, Raspu, Naga and Ram
step into the limelight
and lay out your charm
Put out your thoughts
on the Re-Union we had
Dont hold back
cos someone will feel bad
Lets keep the lines open
and talk to each other
Dont get caught up in "LIFE"
and think its a bother
Now that we know
we cant pretend we didnt meet
So liven up the blog
and step up the heat
As we say goodbye to Seetha
and pray for her peace
lets all stay connected
some wonders never cease!
Ramzan
Natesh,
ReplyDeleteI read the Steve Jobs comencement speech and really liked it. Is it legal to put the entire speech in the blog.
prabhakar
Dear Natesh
ReplyDeleteThanks for link on Steve Job's commencement speech you have sent , it was inspiring. I also viewed the speech on the you tube and and the part he describes about death and cancer was great.
Hi Naga. Raghu, Kilio and rasputin
Come on guys Ramzan is back with her rap.
Swami Nagananda wake up. I need to see your
Can you please reveal the identity of Kilio and rasputin
Prem
Hi Guys and Gals,
ReplyDeletekumarans eulogy was touching , and very appropriate. May our departed friends soul rest in peace.It was great meeting every body ,I wish we had more time to renew.Ramzan your poetry is great .Keep the blog alive.
Thanks, Pravin, good to see you back
ReplyDeleteTo Meenakshi,
B'day wishes to an awesome gal
Blessings and prayers from your long-time pal
Let your day be filled with fun and cheer
And greetings from everyone near and dear!
Have a smashing day!
Ramzan
Happy B'day, Meenakshi.
ReplyDeleteRamzan, good to have you rapping back on the Blogosphere!But, beware of what you are asking for. By invoking Swamiji, Rasputin & Killiopatra from hibernation, you may be asking for trouble! After 3 - 4 weeks of rest & rejuvenation, they may be back with more spiritual powers!
Kalyani
Happy Birthday Meenakshi,
ReplyDeleteRam.
HEy All
ReplyDeleteBad boy Raghu is back!!!. Sorry for the delay in responding to the blog. Been busy with unfinished business (and that includes H**r Plucking). I have posted my experience of the blog in the reminisce 2009 site since it was too big for the comments section.
Kumaran, your euology (whatever that means) was very touching. We sometimes do not appreciate what we have in front of us only to regret later when we lose them. This is good lesson for all of us to remain in touch and help each other out in times of difficulty.
Happy birthday Meenakshi
Heartfelt condolences for the deceased family
Good to see Ramzan is back with her antiques
Natty, Steve Jobs speech was really inspirational. However you must remember, he is probably 1 in million who has succeeded in his dreams. would you really take that chance with your kids? I am finding this really difficult.
Anyway more dirty talking will be posted in time. Enough of the sentimental S**T
Happy blogging
Ramzan, Kalyani, Ram and Raghuram,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the b'day wishes.
Ramzan,
You are a gorgeous girl with a beautiful heart and funny too. I am truly blessed to have a friend like you.
Kalyani,
we enjoy your interesting and insightful comments. Keep on blogging. Your enthusiasm is contagious.
Ram,
Why so quiet? Why no blog?
Raghuram,
Thank you for being such a good sport.
Meenakshi.
Have a fabulous Birthday ,Meenakshi, and a great year ahead !
ReplyDeleteRaghuram
ReplyDeleteYour walk down memory lane was both nostalgic and sad
But we can never forget, the great fun we had
Welcome back from your blog abstinence
We miss your 'dirty" humor and your no-nonsence!
Ramzan
belated birthday greetings meenakshi,hope you have many more happy ones.
ReplyDeleteRaghu nice to see you back,what happened in chennai stays there !!!
Thank you Rache and Pravin.
ReplyDeleteMeenakshi
Hi Meenakshi
ReplyDeleteBelated birthday wishes. It was wonderful to meet you in Chennai at the reunion.
Raghu nice to see you back in the blog. Where is our friend Nagaji ? Is he busy with his patients?
Hi pravin
It was great to meet and your family. Are you back home?
Prem
Dear friends,
ReplyDeleteNice to see the tribute being given to Seethalakshmi. As I think of her, I am reminded of the "Solitary reaper". (Hope you all can remember this poem which we read in the 12th std). As I read about her, my heart got filled with the same melancholic note that I experienced when I read that poem. I feel sad for not knowing her well. May her soul rest in peace.
By the way, thanks to all who have viewed my daughter's video and passed on their comments. My daughter has really made me proud.
Meenakshi,
Happy (belated) birthday!
Jayalakshmi.
Thanks Prem and Jayalakshmi.
ReplyDeletePrem,
I did observe that you are very proud of your friends' accomplishments as much as your own.Wonderful to get to know you.
Jayalakshmi,
Your daughter is a bright little girl.Like mom,like daughter. Wish her the best.
Meenakshi
Naga I think you should have by now got over you hanghover from the reunion - is your proxy out of the country ? ; last night went to see the movie KANDASAMY in London - nice to see the movie house full with our thamil country cousins . My kids had a great time .
ReplyDeletemathi
Prof Priscilla
ReplyDeleteJust had the time to go through the batch ppt . I should say you have done a good job .
mathi
Last week Friday night,I saw the movie,'KANDASAAMY'in a half packed theater(Premier show;I landed in Cleveland on thursday night only).So while my hubby and daughter were enjoying the movie, I was literally sleeping for half the movie(jet lag).Usual formula movie,but taken nicely from whatever little I saw.
ReplyDeleteWell done Kumaran. Your eulogy was a fitting trubute. We were unable to get Seethalakshmi's address. We did want to pay trubute at the meeting, & perhaps get an eulogy from her immediate family, but we were not 100% certain of the news about Seethalakshmi.
ReplyDeleteMay her soul rest in peace.
Belated B'day wishes to Meenakshi
Jeyam
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteSorry for being silent all the while. Thanks for all your comments re my thoughts on seethalakshmi. She was a wonderful person who perhaps meant a lot to me when I look back now...I guess life is like that I suppose. btw
I am feeling very bad that I missed the reunion due to my wanderings:)...I am looking forward to the next one so I can catch up with you all....
Kumaran
hi Natesh,
ReplyDeleteYes. I have seen that Steve Jobs speech. I hope the dots connect for all of us :). The other famous speech which I find inspirational is Randy Pausch's famous "Last Lecture". He famously talks about breaking the wall (versus Steve jobs' connecting the dots)...I kinda see a contrasting East-West philosophy in thier approaches.. I wonder what you think...
Kumaran
Dear All,
ReplyDeleteThou they had departed, the memories unique to each one of us remain.
[Thou late, I want to make a mention with the permission of Kumaran and Prabhakar that we must take care to note the topic of our blog and post accordingly. Kindly avoid unnecessary posts which are not relevant to the topic of the blog]
Kannan