Niranjan – As I know him
I got introduced to Niranjan through my roommate Prem Kumar who studied with Niranjan in Don Bosco Chennai. Niranjan is one of the few persons I admired a lot and wished to be one of his friends. His masculine appearance with a lovely smile coupled with his affectionate approach made him the favorite of many. Despite coming from an upper-class family (I think his father was a commissioner) or his top-class school education he moved with every individual in the college in the same manner and never differentiated anyone.
He was a very hard worker, whether it was in studies or sports. He maintained his physical fitness at its best. He was one of the best NCC cadets. I remember that he was selected for para jumping and he undertook a very rigorous fitness program. He jogged for over 60 days, from CIT to Uppilipalayam up to JM bakery. Incidentally, the owner of JM bakery was in some way related to him.
I visited his house in our first year. It is in one of the best locations in Chennai, opposite Loyola College. Beautiful house, lovely family. I had never seen such a nicely kept house till that time. I felt a little uncomfortable because of its cleanliness and perfect maintenance. His mother was very affectionate.
He used to call me Kuchchax, as I was thin and lean. I enjoyed the way he addressed me as it came from his heart. As I write this note my eyes are filled with tears as I recall those affectionate moments.
He was filled with childish inquisitiveness and enjoyed small pranks. During one of our late-night visits to Sasi’s Tea shop, he removed a doll that was kept on the compound wall of one of the houses on the way and brought it to his room. The subsequent morning he watched the house from a distance to see how people reacted to the missing doll on the compound wall. In one of the subsequent nights he replaced it in its original position. There are many such incidents, but my emotions keep focussing on his noble heart for this note.
He was selected in the campus interview for SPIC Tuticorin, and later he quit to do his studies in the US. We exchanged a few letters during his initial days of US stay.
His life in the US, post his MS was not that easy. He did not get a job and almost was on the verge of returning to India. Somehow he managed to get a job at the 11th hour. He narrated this incident to me and inspired by this I penned a blog called “Game Not Over” without mentioning his name and slightly changing this scenario. (Game Not Over (arulshanmugavelu.com)
He started a company on his own and managed the ups and downs well.
In 2005 when we arranged the CIT 20-year get-together at Coconut Grove Resort in Chennai, he was the organizing committee. We used to meet at Drive-in Woodlands to plan the event. During that time, Niranjan had moved to Chennai with his family, for a few years stay. For the weekly meeting at Woodlands, he used to cycle from his home in Nungambakkam. His contribution to the event was immense.
He was instrumental in creating the CIT 84 Trust. When we collected the contributions for forming this trust he announced that one of the members had agreed to donate an equivalent amount to whatever would be collected from all the other members. It was none other than Niranjan but he never openly mentioned this.
I and my family can never forget the family dinner we had at my house. This is etched in our minds and will remain evergreen. When my son visited San Jose, 2 years ago, to do his internship at Amazon I sent a message to Niranjan that I would share his number with my son so that in case he has any difficulties he can be in touch with him. (I was not aware that he was having a medical issue at that time) Though he was already under medication then, he was kind enough to go along with his wife and take my son for lunch and spent some quality time.
I cannot finish my note without mentioning the support he rendered to Sriramane. Some of you may be aware that one of our classmates, Sriramane had a very bad patch in his life. Many of us helped him with money. Niranjan went beyond that and he helped him by providing a job. When Sriramane unfortunately passed away he had no one to take care of his funerals. (because he had a strained relationship with his family). I went to the apartment where he had expired. I had no idea what to do. I contacted Niranjan. It was Niranjan who managed the complete funeral from the US through his company people in Chennai. I don't want to get into the details of this as it will kindle more emotions.
It is very difficult to find a person like him. My prayers are for his soul to rest in peace. I pray to the almighty for giving his family the strength to withstand the loss.
If any of you find any contextual error in my above note kindly pardon me. I just penned it to bid the final goodbye to my best-admired friend.
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