Irreparable loss for me

My first blog entry was about this great person whom I still value the most after my parents.

My B Tech HOD prof. M. Ramachandran passed away today. I am still to come to terms with the fact that he is no more. He was such a loveable personality who used to see the entire department students set as his own children. The fundas that he used to give in the class was just out of the world that I used to keep alarm at 11:30 in the morning in just to wake up in time for his class and crash to bed again once his class finishes.

He was one of the most contented individual I have ever met. He was so attached to Coimbatore that he did not take several lucrative offers outside. I have been to IITs and IISc for short term courses and I can say with authority that he was right up there with the stud profs there.

He did not do a Ph.D as he was of the opinion that teaching in an undergraduation programme does not require a research degree. How true! The way he used to give practical examples ..maan i miss him so much!!

I did my undergrad project under him and learnt a lot! Learnings that probably cant be got anywhere. After I had passed out, when I went to get a recommendation for MS programme, I went directly to his house and the ailing picture of him is still quite vivid in my memory. He was coughing his gut out yet was filling all the university forms for me. I thought that was just a temporary illness and he will come out of it soon. Never in my dreams did I think I wont be seeing him again. :(

The last time I spoke to him was over phone on september 5 2008 - teachers day. He asked in his usual friendly tone, "Aporam Umamaheswaran solunga epdi irukeenga?!" (Umamaheswaran tel me how are things?!) The very fact that he remembers my name is an honour for me as he barely remembers student's names..

He retired this year. Some alumni had got together earlier this year to give a felicitation ceremony for the man who served the college department for the past 35 years.. the plan somehow did not take off as everyone became busy in theirr work and assignments.. This is what makes me feel really guilty.. Had we done that.. He would have been a much happier person :(.. Sir, Please forgive me :(

I had one dream (childish you may say)..calling Mr sir for my wedding and having a a small re-union of sorts there in typical Raymonds advertisement style.. That would not happen anymore :( :(

Yesterday, I spoke to my best friend in my college who was also a big fan of MR.. I just could not accept the fact that he was on his death bed.. and I broke down in my hostel room.. Such was his influence on me..

As his last rites might be going on in coimbatore, I just want Sir to hear whereever you are.. Sir, you mean a lot to me and I am indebted to you more than anyone else... Probably you came into this world with a purpose of teaching .. leaving this world after you retired.. I can never forget you :(