Letchimanasamy NAIDU

As his passing occured only 9 months after the birth of his 2nd daughter, Mr Letchimanasamy Naidu was not much remembered about by relatives still alive today; those of sane mind to recount of him.

His wife, Madam Rukumaniammal Gopal Naidu (prior to the initial episodes & symptoms of Alzheimer's disease afflicting her today) was able to recount with clarity about his nature, habits, life, work & family. These events were unfolded after my mother (Vimala Devi) was old enough to understand the depth of her mother's sacrifice in life.

Mr Letchimanasamy Naidu was born into a family well established in the Colonial Days in Penang island, 3rd child to Mr & Mrs Alagiri Naidu. He was said to be an intelligent & high scoring student in days past, with an excellent school record for sports.

As an all-rounder, he was also an avid collector of old & rare stamps, cards & coins. He was an athlete, and captain of the rugby team then. Rugby, he continued playing even after marriage, much to the dismay of his wife!

Madam Rukumaniammal described him as being very tall (taller than most men, as tall as Mr Gopal Naidu himself!!), and very affectionate in his ways. He would often come back late from work (as he would be deviated to the rugby pitch 1st), causing his wife to playful grief.

Even Mr Tachinamoorthy would remember him as a gracious host, a caring husband, and a loving father. Mr Letchimanasamy Naidu was also remembered as a meticulous gentleman.

Good men leave early to be God's companions,or so they say. This proved true, and none at the time realised how disastrous the consequences of his death would be.

Mr Letchimanasamy Naidu succumbed to Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the age of 26. This was a disease that stole many lives during the Colonial Days, including Mr Letchimanasamy Naidu's own sister. His eldest daughter was about 2 years of age, Vimala Devi was about 9 months old.

It was his last wish that his family not be separated, but the game of fate was not to his understanding. The tides of destiny has taken Madam Rukumaniammal to a far place than that she was before.

And, lo, here we all are, children & grandchildren to a great woman who survived through such rough seas, holding strong her frail vessel for the wonderful offspring she bore through the tests of time.

There may not be many who may read this, but I hope & pray that we are all blessed with such strength as was seen in that matriarch of ours. We would be blessed if we but possesed a fraction of her reknowned willpower. And we would be truly blessed if we but encountered but a hundredth of the challenges that sought to drown her.

Seek her blessings, young ones, for she is truly the manifestation of God's strength in a woman.

Dr Chandraa Sheykar Menon,

Son to Vimala Devi Letchimanasamy Naidu

Grandson of Mdm Rukumaniammal Gopal Naidu.