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Appa – My First Travel Companion, My Forever Guide

The train rattled gently as it moved through the night, the rhythmic hum of the wheels filling the air. I sat beside Appa, watching the dark landscape rush past the window, the cool breeze brushing against my face. He sat quietly, lost in thought, his presence steady and reassuring. I never needed to ask where we were going—as long as he was there, it didn’t matter.

Some fathers hold your hand and guide you step by step. Appa did more than that—he showed me the world. As the youngest in the family, growing up under the care of my elder brothers, Balu and Seenu, and my sister, Rama, I was lucky to see a different side of him—gentle, thoughtful, yet firm in his values.

His life was built on determination, discipline, and duty. The eldest son, the first and most cherished grandson, he wasn’t just a source of pride—he was the pillar upon which his family’s hopes rested. His grandparents in Melur saw him as their brightest star, the one who would carry their dreams forward. His mother, my Patti, was a woman of quiet resilience, and from her, he inherited his deep sense of responsibility and quiet strength—never asking for much, but always giving his best.

And then there was Amma—Sakunthala, his life partner, my mother. She was the silent force beside him, the one who stood by him through every challenge, every move, every sacrifice. A woman of grace, patience, and quiet wisdom, she balanced his discipline with warmth, his determination with care. Together, they built a life—not just for themselves, but for all of us.

Nothing came easy for Appa, yet he never saw struggle—only purpose. While others studied under the comfort of lamps, he studied under streetlights, his mind sharp, his resolve sharper. His journey from a small town to Osmania University, Hyderabad, was nothing short of remarkable. Civil Engineering was not just a degree for him—it was proof that hard work could shape destinies.

But Appa was never one to stand still.

My childhood was shaped by his work and travels—Bhilai, Rourkela, Bokaro, Kudremukh, Visakhapatnam. To most, these are places on a map, but to me, they were home—because home was wherever Appa was. While other children had a single hometown, we had many, and with each move, I learned to adapt, embrace change, and find comfort in his presence.

I can still picture those journeys—the smell and rush at railway stations, the hurried tea at a platform stall, the way he would quietly make sure I was settled in my new school before he left for work. He didn’t say much, but his actions spoke volumes.

To the world, he was a brilliant engineer, a leader in his field, a man of unwavering discipline. To me, he was the steady force that shaped my life—the quiet protector, the silent teacher, the one person who always made me feel safe.

And from that moment, there was no looking back. Because when you are raised by a man like him, you don’t just remember him—you carry his legacy forward, with gratitude, with pride, and with love.

🌍 A Man Who Built Dreams, Brick by Brick

Appa was not just a man of books; he was a man of action. Being the torchbearer of his family, he took it upon himself to carve a path—not just for his own success, but for the upliftment of those around him. His journey took him to Bhilai, Rourkela, Bokaro, Kudremukh, and Visakhapatnam, where he worked on some of India’s most challenging engineering projects, never shying away from exploration, travel, or hard work. Even after retirement, his passion for his field did not fade—he continued to contribute, working in Tornagallu and Trichy, proving that dedication knows no age.

He was a man who built more than just structures—he built a legacy, a family, and a life rich with values, resilience, and dignity.

🕉️ A Man of Devotion and Depth

Beyond his professional achievements, spirituality was the guiding force of his life. A staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, his heart resonated with the soulful hymns of Seerkazhi Govindarajan and T.M. Soundararajan. His connection to the divine went beyond rituals—it was deeply intellectual, deeply personal.

Few can claim to have read the Bhagavad Gita with understanding, but Appa did. Fewer still have completed the Bhagavatam in its entirety, but he had. And among the rarest of men are those who, despite their discipline and structured thinking, seek the profound wisdom of Ramana Maharishi.

For him, faith was not just about prayer—it was about living a life of honesty, integrity, and self-discipline.

⚡ A Man of Precision, Passion, and Playfulness

Appa was a man of discipline—early to rise, early to bed, and independent in his work and decisions until his very last breath. Never one to burden others, he navigated life with dignity and self-reliance, a trait admired by all who knew him.

But beneath the serious and focused exterior lay a man of humor, warmth, and surprising playfulness. He had a sharp memory and was a meticulous record-keeper, remembering details that others would long forget. He could effortlessly blend seriousness with humor, making people feel comfortable in his presence.

His love for sports was boundless—he was a professional Carrom player, a skilled Table Tennis player, and a passionate Cricket and Tennis enthusiast. Whether it was a Test match, an ODI, or a Grand Slam final, he followed them all, enjoying every format, every country, every game.

And when it came to food, Appa had his favorites—crispy vadais, spicy kara snacks, and of course, mangoes. It was these simple joys that added richness to his disciplined life.

🏡 A Man of Family and Responsibility

Above all else, Appa was a family man. He ensured his children were well-settled, witnessing the Sashtiapthapoorthi (60th birthday) of three of them—a rare blessing that few parents experience.

Respected and revered by both his own family and his wife’s family, he was the one who rarely missed a wedding, a function, or an important occasion. Family to him was not an obligation but a joy, and he made sure he was present not just in body, but in spirit, in warmth, and in wholehearted participation.

Even as a traveler, he was unstoppable—he had set foot in all five Dhams: Mayapur, Vrindavan, Dwaraka, Puri, and Rameshwaram. He traveled across India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and visited all Jyotirlingas—a spiritual milestone that many can only dream of.

🏡 His Final Years – A Cherished Presence in Shriram Spandhana

From 2017 onwards, Appa made his home at Shriram Spandhana, staying in his son’s apartment, where he became a beloved and respected senior citizen among the Spandhanites. His presence was not just noticed—it was cherished. With his natural warmth and wisdom, he built close friendships with fellow senior citizens, engaging in conversations that were as insightful as they were heartwarming.

A man of routine and discipline, he could be spotted on his regular walks to the nearby shop almost every day, exchanging pleasantries with shopkeepers and neighbors alike. But perhaps one of his most endearing weekend rituals was his Saturday and Sunday visit to the Pani Puri stall—a simple pleasure that he relished with childlike enthusiasm. He was not just another resident—he was a figure of quiet inspiration, someone people looked up to and respected.

Even in his final years, his independent spirit, social warmth, and zest for life never faded. His presence in Spandhana will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

🌟 A Life Well Lived, A Legacy Well Left

To the world, he was an engineer, a scholar, a traveler, a sportsman, a poet, a spiritual seeker.
To us, he was a father, a guide, a source of strength, and a man to emulate—though difficult to match.

His life was not just lived—it was crafted, shaped, and perfected with values, discipline, and an undying thirst for knowledge. He was the go-to person for courage, support, and wisdom, and even in his absence, his presence will forever be felt in the lives he touched.

Today, as we remember Appa, we do not mourn—we celebrate.
We celebrate his journey, his values, his relentless spirit.
We celebrate a life that was simple yet profound, structured yet joyful, serious yet warm.

Appa, you have left us with a map to a meaningful life, and though you are no longer here, your legacy will guide us forever.

💐 Om Shanti. Muruga Saranam. 🙏

by Latha Ganesh & JiYes

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