To Santhi and me, we have lost a family member, and this gives us a feel of how Meena Mami, Harish, Satya, Sudha and Anu along with their spouses and children feel today. Time is the only healer and we pray it brings peace and acceptance to all who mama left his love filled affection.

“We can’t forget the love he showered on us. He let us be part of many discussions and participations in events through these three decades. His minute knowledge, analytical mind and knowledge from his vast travelling experience crossing continents and the humour he carried made mama a significant and positive influencer in our lives.

“Na Jayate, Mriyate Va Kadaachit. Gita …….Sthanu mama stays forever. He will be his self and happy wherever he settles down.”

— Sahasranam (Nam)

***

“Raji and I feel a very big void that’s irreplaceable. I have never come across a person like [Sthanu] in my life and I don’t think I will in the future.

“May God retain him as one of the brightest northern stars in the sky for the Universe to always have him look up to him as a noble and genuine soul.”

— Hari Ramani

***

“We come to consider some people to be eternal. I had taken for granted that every other year, Bala and I would visit [Sthanu and Meena] in Koramangala and spend a few hours with them, basking in their warmth and affection. Mami would be trying to feed us in vain and Mama would keep us company with his effervescent, cheerful conversation. He always had a broad smile on his face, just a moment away from laughter. We always left with soul-deep satisfaction.

“I can’t imagine Mama not being here again. Those visits with them meant a lot to us. On one of those visits, Mama said to me (in a context I can’t remember, but the words I do), ‘You are like Anu to us.’ He said it like it was neither a big deal, nor said lightly. It was just that his capacity for affection was both generous and effortless. We’ll miss him terribly.”

-Sangeetha Narasimhan

***

“We recall each and every one of his visits to Bangalore and our trips to the US. Indeed a great personality and a symbol of sacrifice. This is a personal loss not only for the near and dear ones but also for friends alike.”

-G Ramaiya

***

“I still remember [his] smiling face and cheerful demeanor when he visited KL.”

-Raji Subramoniam

***

“What a ‘Rock Star’ uncle was! I remember meeting both him and aunty for the first and it felt like we knew each other for many years. I was so blessed to have a video call with him and the family some months back. He will always be in my prayers and will be missed.”

-Shamender Talwar

***

“Athimber was a significant presence in my life . When doing IIT Delhi they lived pretty close and would meet Athay and Athimber and all my cousins ( very young then) frequently. His clear thoughts , his generosity and love remain strongly embedded in my memory. Many decades later when Pratibha as a young girl was in treatment near Phoenix—he and Athay were there to support.
He was a pillar of the family . I pray for peace to his soul and strength to all the family.”

-Kandy Anand

***

“Please accept my condolences as I know Sthanu will be missed greatly. I will always remember his warmth, his welcoming smile and his friendliness. Sthanu had a knack for making everyone around him feel comfortable and at ease. He was a lovely gentleman and will always have my utmost respect.”

-Sally Miller

***

“Everyone in our family says that when I was a child, when my grandfather said anything—joke or not—I would burst into laugher. Hit wit was certainly incredible, but more than that, it was simply not possible to be around him and not feel happy. Even when I played something as simple as Jingle Bells on the piano, I could count on him to sing and drum along with the same delight as if I were playing the most technical sonata I knew. He was an unconditional source of joy and love in my life.

“One of my most formative memories is visiting his hometown, Nagercoil, with him when I was 12. As we retraced his footsteps and visited his old school, I remember the warmth and care with which he engaged with each student we met. He treated them as if they were his own grandchild—and took so much pride in the scholarship program he established there. He taught me that service isn’t just an action you do, rather a habit you cultivate that becomes paramount in your lifestyle. I will miss him every day and always strive to live like he did—with kindness and curiosity as second nature.”

-Ananya Sridhar

***

“I’m so going to miss uncle and his genuine smile when he greeted me. Unfailingly he always asked after everyone in my family including my mom. I don’t remember ever seeing him not smiling. He would say that whenever he came to visit CA he made it a point to stay for an equal number of days with each of his children here. It was so cute how he loved his sweets and could not resist them despite them not being good for him. I admired his stubborn independence whether it was to keep driving or his desire to travel to India just with aunty and stay in his own place. He had a presence by which even a stranger in his company felt comfortable. May he rest in peace and keep smiling down on all of us from heaven.”

-Sangeeta Peris

***

“In October 2011 I was waiting at Fort Lauderdale airport to pick up Meena Athay. I recall wishing that Athimber had also been there. I was dealing with some significant challenges at the time - Athimber's joyful smile, kind words of wisdom and his sheer presence had always helped lift my darkest clouds.
Every interaction with Athay and Athimber was filled with warmth, kind humor, deep affection and joy, whether at their home in Phoenix or anywhere else. I will miss you Athimber. May your soul rest in peace.”

-Radhika Anand

***

“I remember meeting Sthanu mama for the first time as a shy teenager and him talking to me about various topics as if I were a grown up! His calming presence and ability to treat everyone around him with respect and care is something to remember and try to emulate. Over the years, we got to know him not just through our own meetings but also hearing about his friendship with my mom and dad and Raji/Hari. He will be missed and remembered by many.”

-Ramesh and Sarika

***

“His infectious smile made the world smile.
That is his legacy.
It was a pleasure to know him.”

-Mandeep Ayer

***

“A remarkable life has come to a close. We shall miss his infectious laughter and charm. His pleasure in connecting with people was genuine and heartfelt I enjoyed my conversations with him and was struck by the breadth of his knowledge as well as his excitement in learning something new. Our deepest sympathies to all of you, the loss is great but the memory will endure.”
-Gopi, Mandeep and Ravi Ayer
***

“He was not only a close family friend but truly a remarkable human being—an embodiment of grace, warmth, and wisdom. His visits to India were always moments of quiet joy for us, like a burst of spring that brought smiles and comfort. His optimism and gentle presence left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

-Ramadorai and Radha

***

Sthanu was a gracious and kind man, a true gentle soul. I was blessed to have met and worked with he and Meena. His sweetness and smile were truly uplifting. The world has lost a real treasure with his passing. My condolences to the family.

-Lea Herold

***

He was a very humble and soft spoken person ~ devoted his life serving the cause of Humanity under the aegis of the United Nations who he served loyally, ceaselessly and untiringly, for so many years, true to its rich values and ideals, in word and deed.

I have known Sthanu for over 2 decades now; he was a philanthropist supporting my fundraising initiative for the Old Age Home in Madurai for over 10 years now ~ a very regular donor.  He respected everyone that he came into contact with, spoke highly of them, conducted himself with dignity in a very positive manner with whoever he interfaced with; I do not think he had any enemies in his life.  They were all his friends, admirers like me.

-Sugantha Mami and Srinivasan Uncle