EXCERPT OF MY SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE BUST OF SMT S. MANJUBHASHINI, FOUNDER GENERAL SECRETARY, BALA MANDIR KAMARAJ TRUST

Respected Sangitha Kalanidhi, Smt. M.S. Subbalakshmi, Smt. Venkataraman and all the other illustrious dignitaries on the dias and all of you present here for this momentous occasion.

It is indeed a great honour to me to be asked to speak as a member of the Executive Committee of the Balamandir Kamaraj Trust. I am also fortunate to be the grand daughter–in-law of Late Smt. S. Manjubhashini and the youngest member of the Executive Committee. I was brought in after Rajamma passed away last year.

Rajamma, as I have always known her, was someone I admired right from the time I was married into the family (in 1980). I just thought I would share with you this morning some of the little incidents (insignificant though they may seem but of great significance in my life) which I experienced with Rajamma which inspired me in different ways but especially towards the goal of helping under-privileged people.

When I got married my mother used to say (and still does) that I had got married to a boy whose grandmother was a “GREAT LADY”. Her determination, dedication and direction to do the kind of things she did, definitely made her great!

I remember the first time I came back from England in 1981(a year after marriage), I came to spend a few days with Rajamma and Meenakshi Mami. I treasure those special days because I was absolutely mollycoddled and looked after wonderfully by both Rajamma & Mami. Every need of mine was looked after and it was an experience living with two people who had done so much for others. Rajamma was not only a great social worker but she was also a great home maker. The house was kept beautifully, the garden tended to so lovingly. I was amazed that someone could do all this and have the time and caring inclination to devote to under-privileged children.

I recall her calling me and handing over my husband’s unused and brand new pattu veshti and angavastram saying that as it hadn’t been used during the wedding, she wanted my mother to return it and buy something for herself with it. Most people would not have done something like that. It taught me that Rajamma was not a person who coveted things and was prepared to give away everything including a lot of her own personal things. As you all know she donated all her various award monies to Balamandir as she felt that she had done what she did only because she wanted to serve the poor and not for personal gain or fame.

When I had my nose pierced that year, she insisted that I wear her diamond nose stud and till today I haven’t removed it except for cleaning of course! It makes me feel close to her. In 1988 when we returned to India for good, I recall a small tiff I had with Rajamma. I had vowed to have a tonsure at Thirupathi and she said that she would not look at my face again if I did that. I was really miserable and upset but my husband and my wonderful in-laws consoled me and said that she would come round. And come round she did- she came and apologized and said that it was not important and that I should stick to my convictions regarding the tonsure. It increased my admiration for her. Rajamma may have been dominating and domineering but she did see other people’s point of view and was graceful enough to accept it. You know, a lot of us cannot do that at all.

While we lived as a joint family I found her support and help invaluable. She took care of the house, the garden and my children also. It taught my children so much-the value of having regard for the older generation and learning so much from them.

In her last days, I, (along with all her family) was fortunate enough to be able to serve her and make her last days as comfortable as possible. It hurt me to watch this wonderful person who would go to Bala Mandir twice a day even in cyclonic weather conditions wearing her white kadhar saree, suffering thus as she was serving no purpose for her children in Balamandir as a resolve, she actually willed herself to die by drinking only water for the last 15days of her life. But she would ask me to take her out to see Madras and we made a comic picture – my driving the van and Rajamma wearing sunglasses and sitting next to me. The night she passed away, I was lying down close to her for a while (as I did on and off) and she asked me to come closer so that she could cover me with her cover lest I catch a cold. I felt warm and loved and special and I thanked God for a grandmother like this. And I am sure all those thousands of children who were touched by her would have felt the same day.

Her life story and my personal interaction with her inspired me and still inspires me. It made me realise that I too would like to contribute something to Balamandir, an Institution which Rajamma had founded. I do not know if I will be able to do even one hundredth of what Rajamma did-it is very rarely that people like her are born on this earth. But I shall try my best to give as much of myself in serving the under-privileged.

She was and is a great source of inspiration to all of us and I am sure that we will not disappoint her in carrying out and running successfully this great Institution that she started.