Tuesday, October 18, 2016

A TRIBUTE TO KSR






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A  LETTER  FROM  Prof.  V. SRINIVASAN


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Bi-Cycles were the vehicles of the lecturers and demonstrators of the American College for many years in the good old days. A few were proud of their imported bi-cycles from Singapore, Malaysia or Ceylon with some extra fittings and very bright shining handle bars.Then mechanized two wheelers started making their appearance one by one. When Enfiled India Motor cycle manufacturing factory, near Melur,  came into existence a good number of  "bikes" became affordable vehicles that replaced bicycles. A few  Vespa/Bajaj scooters that was possible with dollar payment also invaded the campus along with one or more lambretta scooters that were wedding gifts for some. The result was an informal association known as TWA (Two wheelers association) was formed. Though the bicycles also had only two wheels that fact was coolly forgotten. With faster and quicker mobility the TWA started planning short trips  and picnics on holidays and weekends. Friends of "bikers" joined in such trips and thus an informal PRA (Pillion rider association) also came into being. There were several short trips with few friends now and then, Vasanthan, Sam George and a few others taking the lead.

It was once decided that TWA should go on a long one day trip. The destination choses chosen was Bathlagundu where there was a promise of a host receiving us with food and refreshment. There were about 15 two wheelers and a few cars (George Berlin, Dr. Riesz + Haris and some friends)  It turned out to be a memorable trip for all and an important trip for the College also. The first discussion on College autonomy happened there in the mango grove. The editorial on the subject in the local news paper about that time initiated the discussion. There were nearly 35 to 40 faculty members in that trip.

The second long trip was to Periar and the third to Courtalam with over night stay. All of them were grand successes. An unforgettable incidence in one trip was a PWA member was left out on the high way during a break and this was noticed only after the convoy had gone a good distance. He was later picked up and joined with the troupe by one who was a fast rider. The culprit was me and the victim was Dr P M Sundaram!

On these trips not all vehicles had smooth ride for the entire length of the trip. Tube puncture, leakage of air from the tires and fixing them and manually pumping air on the main road was probably simplest break down  events and on one occasion a large scale repair had to be undertaken lasting for a few hours. Why I recall this now one may wonder.

There is a reason. In all these trips most of the vehicle owners especially the ones with secondhand vehicles were comfortable on these trips mainly because Mr. K S Rajkumar. He was a master servicemen who understood major and minor ailments  of the vehicles voluntarily. Riding majestically on his second world war model motor cycle at a steady speed behind all the other vehicles he was a guardian angel for all. He is now no more with us. I write this on behalf of TWA and PRA of American college to convey our gratitude for his willing assistance. God Bless KSR.

I hope the college Faculty members as his friends, the Department of Applied Sciences and PG and UG Physics Departments in the College where he had served undertake some action and create a memorial to perpetuate his memory. He has one more connection with the College. His father was the auditor for the accounts of the College for many years.

5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Unknown,

    normally I dont publish comments from'unknown'/anonymous 'cases. this is just an exception!

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    1. K S Rajkumar was the first Technical Officer in DAS when RPR started the that department. Under the guidance of RPR and supervision of KSR many people worked in the department. Many instruments came to life (working) with the golden touch of KSR. How nice it would it have been if KSR was invited to head the Jeevan Jyothi Program! He spent his spare time and cash to assist the downtrodden in a silent way. A true Christian, we studied the Bible with Shanmuganathan at his residence in Tallakulam. I pray Lord to give sonsolation to the members of the bereaved family.

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  3. When I think of our Courtallum trip what immediately comes to my mind was the Matchless Bike of Raj. He had a big sack of hardware and a big bundle of strong thread coir. Raj was prophetic. On our way at Rajapalayam, Petchimuthu’s “big” vehicle – a petit version of Royal Enfield – Enzine, which I used to call as “எலிக்குஞ்சு” was almost on its last breath. Raj resuscitated and made it to come to life and after that first-aid the vehicle was the first to reach Courtallum then. Because we were all held up few miles before Courtallum with a puncture in another real big vehicle, bullet, with Solomon Pappiah in the pillion. We took nearly 10 hrs to reach Courtallum. Of course let us leave the ‘secret’ meetings we had after reaching our destination.

    On our way back “எலிக்குஞ்சு” went into coma. All the tricks of Raj could not make it to come back to life. Next was a serious adventure of Raj and Peichimuthu, who retired as a Superintendent of Police. Raj took the bundle of coir he had prophetically ready and started toeing “எலிக்குஞ்சு”. We till this day don’t know who was at fault – Raj or the Polcieman! The rope broke and “எலிக்குஞ்சு” came to a sudden sliding halt. A very small minor accident, without any trace of blood or oil! We had to leave “எலிக்குஞ்சு” with the future-policeman there with his friends at Srivilliputur.

    Raj and I were the vanguard during this trip. Many had brand new vehicles and very poor driving skills. So both of us had to go up and down to make the ‘march’ move in some good proper speed. 35 km/hr was the best we could make out of the team. Such good drivers. And what a comradery ……!

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  4. I haven't had the pleasure and privilege of being a member of either TWA or PRA and experiencing the thrill of the adventurous trips to different places. But, I have heard stories about them. Prof. v. Srinivasan's description of such trips in which K.S.. Rajkumar played a vital role in keeping the vehicles running with his mechanical skills and making the trips successful is truly amazing. True, he was talented in the art of repairing things and making them work. And, he did it with effortless ease and silently, without much publicity. Probably, if he had wanted he could have made a lot of money using his skills for commercial purposes. But, he was happy and content with working in the American College,Department of Applied Science, as its head.

    As a worthy successor to Prof.VS as Head of the Instrumentation Department in the Aravind Hospital he carried on the legacy of 'walking an extra mile' not only in repairing instruments but also in helping people in need. I always felt at home whenever I visited that Department.
    More than anything else, he was a good samaritan, ready and willing to help the needy with a smile on his face.


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