Today is the birthday of senior MS member - Mr. Shashikumar Menon (iamindiamenon). Since he had very generously given me his phone number and I had wished him his birthday telephonically last year, this morning also, I rang him. And to my utter shock, I was told by the person calling from the other end that Mr. Menon is no more. He passed away around 8-9 months back.
Shashikumar Menon Ji had left MS more than one year back due to the obscene DPs being posted on MS and lack of suitable action on the part of MS administration then. However he had given me his e-mail address and mobile phone number. I had sent him links of some of my reviews and he, after reading them, gave me his feedback through e-mail because he was determined not to post anything on MS. However in 2011, neither I talked to him over phone, nor I sent any e-mail to him. And today, when I decided to give a call to him and wish him birthday through phone, I got the shockingly sad news.
Over the past one and a half years, I have developed a habit of sending M2Ms to fellow MSians who are not seen on MS for some time, just enquiring about their well-being. However I missed it in his case which I consider my blunder. A senior and highly respected MS member known to several of us, left this world and at least I remained unaware of it. Sheer negligence and indifference on my part. I am ashamed of myself.
Through this DP, I pay my tribute to the departed soul of our beloved Menon Saheb and I make an appeal to all of you, not to allow the communication thread to be broken. Through MS, we have developed a fraternity of like-minded creative people and there is a strong bond of friendship and affection among us. Due to one reason or the other, it happens that some members either leave MS or reduce their frequency of visiting. However, let us be in touch with them in whatever way possible. In our fraternity, youngsters are there on one hand and several senior citizens are on the other. Let's be aware of the well-being of those who remain absent for long. I committed the mistake of letting the communication thread be broken in the case of Menon Saheb which I will always regret. You don't commit such mistake please.
