Red Salute to Com. Venkatakrishnan

 

The ever smiling face of Com. Venkat shall remain etched to our minds ever.  He left us today morning at around 8.30 am.  

He had developed breathlessness on 4th of January 2021 and was admitted to the GH at Chennai.  He was diagnosed with acute kidney malfunction and also a heart condition.  Though he recovered briefly, he had to be on dialysis twice a week.  After his first bout of hospitalization, he was discharged with advice to go in for dialysis at any other hospital.  Again he had to be hospitalised for dialysis and he was retained in the hospital for four weeks due to his getting COVID infection. After his discharge he started visiting a multi-specialty hospital for dialysis.  But last week he developed loss of sleep and his condition started deteriorating.  He was again admitted to the Private Hospital in the ICU.  He passed away today morning. The COVID had taken its toll due to his comorbid health condition.

His elder son has just now completed his BE and his younger son is to appear for 10th Standard Board Exam this summer.  He has been the sole bread winner in his family, apart from taking care of his aged mother and also his in-laws.

The grief for those who have worked with him is immeasurable.

Coms. Parthiban, Chandramouli, Anbuchelvan, Muralikrishnan, Saravanan are some of whom I know have constantly been in touch with Venkat and his family and provided all possible help.  I might not be knowing some others also who had been of help to him during this crisis.

I know Venkat as a quintessential organisational man.  He never aspired for any post or position in the Association.  Yet, when the situation demanded, he never shied away from taking responsibility.  

He was the Unit Secretary representing a Division in Coimbatore when I was the General Secretary of Coimbatore Inspector Association way back in 1994-95.  

When re-organisation took place in 1997 and Hosur became part of Chennai, he was one of the persons who were transferred to Hosur and then he went to Chennai.  

He served the Chennai Inspector Association in various capacities and thereafter the All India Association of Inspectors also as Liaison Secretary and Working President.  

After being promoted as Superintendent, he worked as the General Secretary of Chennai Unit.  As per my suggestion, he occupied the post of President of the Chennai Unit to enable Mr. Titus to become the GS so that a young generation would come up in the Association.  He was the Secretary of the State Committee until Com. Kumar was elected to that post last year.  

He was a cool person, with an ever smiling face, very knowledgeable on service matters as well as technical matters.  Though a pleasing and soft spoken person, he was very firm in his views, which he took after a completely dispassionate analysis. During negotiations, he could firmly put forth the Cadre perspective whoever might be the authority he was facing. He was unflinching in his position.  The authorities also held him in high esteem.

He was one of the first generation officers who took to computers.  He was one of the first Systems In-charges in Coimbatore.  Many of those who joined that stream with him left the department for good.  But he continued with the department.  He has been serving in Chennai Systems Directorate with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Whether the cadre is going to be aware of the loss or not, it is a great loss for our cadre.

For his personal friends, the grief cannot be measured.

For his family, we can only contribute whatever we can, financially and by providing any support for his children to come up in life, beating the harsh blow that fate has brought on them.

With heartfelt prayers and a Red Salute,

BTW, Com. Mouli had informed me last Saturday when I was discussing with him regarding his health that Com. Venkat had been asking through Whatsapp messages to Com. Mouli in the last week, 'Whether we will get Recognition'.

Good bye Venkat.  You will ever remain in our hearts. The loss is irreplaceable.

R. Manimohan