Rtn.PP
Sriprakash who passed away on 2nd June,2019 at the age of 68, was a
popular Southerner who endeared himself
to everyone with his pleasing manners and genuine concern for people.
I
had known Sriprakash for over 40years .
I was a member of Madras West Round Table10 when he was active in Table 30- A past chairman ,he was a popular member of that Club.
Sriprakash & Sheila were a
charming couple and wonderful
hosts. I remember attending many memorable get togethers at their lovely home in Gandhi Nagar, both as a Tabler first and later as a Rotarian. My
friendship with Sriprakash got cemented further, when Sheila agreed to design
my small dream home in Sastri Nagar , where I live since 1982. The frequent
meetings in connection with my home project
brought me closer to both Sheila & Sri Prakash.
In
1989 when he joined RCMS, introduced by PP C.S.Ram, who was his neighbor, I was very happy that a good ex-Tabler was joining
Rotary. He became the Secretary of the club in 1997-98. During that year he
introduced two new Rotarians, nay two gems- under the `Operation New blood ` Scheme of the Club- Rtns - Sridharan Chettiar and
B.B.Vengatesh. During the same year we
discovered that Sriprakash was very
articulate both as a speaker and as a writer. His command over English was very
evident in the unusual Secretary`s Report that he presented that year
He
was the Director International services
between 1998-2000. He gave us one of the most memorable events in the history
of RCMS- Vintage 60`s in January,2000, when Rtn Shyamala was the Millenium President
of RCMS. Those days when we did not have the quick communication tools like
email etc, he had to really work hard through letters and international calls
to ensure that we got a motely crowd of Rotarians & their spouses from Clubs
chartered in 1960.We had guests from many parts of the world including Argentina & Switzerland who enjoyed the
home stay and wonderful hospitality of the Southerners. It was and will
continue to be one of the most memorable projects of RCMS in
its sixty year history.
Though
he should have become the President of the Club, soon after his successful
stint as the International Director, he chose to delay the decision because of his
deep involvement with an NGO called
Skandashramam on the outskirts of Chennai. He was so busy dividing his time
between his business and the Ashram that he did not have much time to spend on
Rotary. After more than a decade when he got out of
his commitments with the ashramam, he agreed to take up the mantle of RCMS. He became the President in 2014-15. I felt
honoured when he told me that he was appointing me as his advisor during his
President ship. Much before he shared his plans with anyone else, he invited me
to his office and made a complete presentation on the plans he had for the club.
Some of them were really ambitious
reflecting his deep involvement in any activity he undertakes.
Sriprakash
was a great dreamer and always bubbling with enthusiasm for any project he takes up - be it a
business project or a social service project. A cheerful person with a
positive outlook he was a great friend
to have. I can never forget the affection
that he and Sheila have showered on me over the years.
I
met him a few weeks before he passed away.
I could sense that the relapse of the dreadful cancer had shaken up his
will to fight. He looked a defeated man biding his time. Luckily for him he had
Sheila and other members of his family extending their full support trying to
keep him in good cheer. I understand that for all the sufferings he went
through during the last couple of months, the end was peaceful .While RCMS is
going to miss a noble soul I am going to miss a good friend and a great well
wisher. May his soul rest in peace!
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