S7: Sri P.N. Raman (1910- 1/7/1996): A grandson remembers…

Today 5/7/2020 is his 25th Thiti (Death Anniversary) Shri P.N Raman, A humble soul, a hard working and soft spoken humane human. I have very loving and fond childhood memories of interactions with him. I am writing with gratitude and from my own life experiences and some recollections of my parents of him.

A young lad born in 1910 who’s parents expired at an early age was raised up by his uncle in Madras (T.N-Chennai) along with a younger brother. There he married and had 3 kids, his family for better job opportunities moved to Bangalore in 1930s. They settled in near the Raj Bhavan area of Bengaluru they had 5 more kids here. They stayed in the staff quarters where few of their relatives also stayed with the family. The father of 8 moved up the ranks gradually to a job as a supervisor at the government guest house, he was very hardworking leaving to work early morning and returning mostly at midnight after attending to work of hospitality. His spouse my grandma supported the nurturing of the 8 kids, home and connecting the extended families in Bengaluru. He and his wife supported & encouraged his children in their education as a result of which his kids studied hard-well & served as listed here 1.officer in Vidhana Soudha, 2.Mechanical Engineer in the State government, 3.Officer In Central Excise,4.Doctor for GoK, 5.Associate of Mico-Bosch, 6.Officer in BDA, 7. A good Bank Officer and they served well for their families and society. The Grandfather lived and loved his grandkids till the ripe old age of 86years. This is a memoir of him through the eyes of one of his grandchildren, a child of his 3rd son the doctor, he was very affectionate and kind hearted to all and the grandchild was very lucky to have a grandfather like him, as his grandmother had passed away before he was born.

The earliest clear memory of my grandpa is of him at my Montessori (Baba Nursery) picking me up to take me back home. The way he used to wait at the gates give me a warm smile with those gleaming shiny eyes. It was not hard to find him as he stood out from the rest of the crowd with those white hair and White matching Dhothi-vesti and he held my hands carefully to walk me home about 5 streets away never letting go of my hands from school until we reached home, he had a slow gait, I used to want to walk faster. He was so happy to walk me home once I had commented to him why he is wearing Dhothi and not pants like the other people around, for that he laughed out loud and told it to my parents and from the next day he came in his pants to pick me up, it showed me how humble he was to oblige for a 4 year old grandchilds wishes. I remember he used to also take me to shops and buy some stuff for home. I remember times he used to discipline and get angry at some other elder kids when they may have tried to bully me. He was very protective and supportive of me, I may have been the most luckiest grandson to receive his care and affection. I was a very naughty kid but never did my grandpa hurt me, he always was kind and loving. I am so ever grateful for his grace and smiling face, the last time I remember about him was he getting old and bed-ridden when ever we used to visit him at my uncle’s place he used to be eager to get up and speak to me. In 1996 There was final time when I recollect I tried speaking with him as he laid down and with his white cataract eyes he never replied to my voice only glancing at my face. The next thing I remember was his funeral a young mind dint understand that was his last farewell, I think that was my first experience of loss & silent grief. I dont remember myself crying or shedding tears Its just a vague memory of him being placed in the black hearse van with flowers over him. Only his empty cot remained at home. I think writing this has been a catharsis It has brought some tears of gratefulness for him, I feel am at peace now knowing he was at peace then.

As I grew up I tried to understand him more through my parents recollections of him. My mother said he was really fit for his name a good character a Maryada purush like king Ram with humility and nobility. I admire his hard working nature to raise a family of 8 kids from his humble beginnings. He was a workaholic also my MaPa say he used to cycle and walk even long distances till about 70years of age. This is what I believe kept him quite hearty and healthy till 86years and I want to apply in my life and family too.. I am inspired by his caring, affectionate nature and perseverance and these qualities are what I feel he left behind as a legacy, not of tangible wealth for his kids but I see more valuable is the intangible character values I see inherited more in my father and uncles of care, affection, love, hardwork and value for education and morality that I would like us to inherit from my grandpa and grandma. My dad tells me when he was a kid his dad- my grandpa advised him to study and work well & never to lie, steal or beg and he holds dear these simple words from a simple person to his heart. This were his guiding principles I too accept these golden words of my grandpa receiving its as his legacy/heirloom from his journey of life. I had a wonderful Grandpa I wish I had been able to understand how big an impact he has created in my parents and my life and thank him then when he was alive. No Issue I believe this thankful / grateful heart will be heard by him also as his DNA of nature and nurture survives in me and my familiatives.

Thank You Thatha for your love and care. I wish I could have met my grandma too.

Thank You_ You will be always remembered. I remember the white vesti and half sleeve shirt, your round pegged wooden cot at the old sheet roofed house, your strong worked out arms, also the distinguished scent on you. Your smile and laugh. The streets we walked together..

We Live because They Did..

If you have an elder grandpa or grandma at home do not wait for anyother day or year to wish for their blessed presence in our lives..

From- An inspired grandchild

GRP- Guru Ramana Prasad Gajendran

@The Montessori

The child’s eyes seek to see a familiar face, The face of his parent, grandparent or an uncles’ trace, He sees the smiling face with a grey white halo over the head, He runs to the gate happily looking ahead, He holds the wrinkled rough outstretched hands, his grownup mind reels later understands, The hands that held him had held in it the lifelines of many lives..

—‘End of Post—

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