A tribute to my dear friend Chi Kannan
Words fail as I rise to say a few words about my dear friend Sri R.Venkatesan alias Kannan who passed away on 20.04.2011 suddenly after a brief illness.
My memory goes back to the year 1936 when I arrived with my family members to Srirangam as a refugee fleeing from the impending Japanese invasion of Burma. It was a memorable day in that year when I had the good fortune to join the High School, Srirangam in third form. My colleagues in class were all new and Chi Kannan was the first who bonded with me immediately. Our lives got intertwined with each other and we became inseparables till our graduation and his untimely death now.
Chi Kannan got married earlier than me and I was fortunate to attend his marriage. I got married in 1956 and in 1957 due to a misunderstanding, my wife left me for her father’s place in NGPT. For the next 10 years, we were separated and I moved north on various official assignments. Throughout this period my contact with Kannan was kept intact and in 1967, through his untiring efforts, my wife rejoined me. I shall be failing in my duty, if I do not acknowledge his sincere efforts to make me toe the life of a Grihastha from the ascetic life I was leading for 10 years.
Once we completed our official life, our meeting became more frequent and licensing our family affairs became a routine. I was fortunate to witness the marriages in his family and his Sathabhishekam also. He and his family also never failed to attend functions in my family. Our mutual bonds grew stronger day by day.
His sudden demise now has therefore shattered me to the core and I stand alone without my dear friend, philosopher and guide. Though he has been missed physically, I feel he is still guiding me.
May Lord Ranganatha give all his family members the courage and fortitude to follow his footsteps forever.
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