Rangan Sri Kantha - Innovative Tamil

[Maravanpulavu K. Sachithananthan]

http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/meet-rangan-srikhanta-the-former-refugee-who-wants-to-change-the-world-one-laptop-at-a-time-20150221-13l07r.html

MEMORIES and MOMENTOS

Rangan came to Australia barely two months old with his family fleeing war in Sri Lanka.

"I wouldn't have been provided [this opportunity] in Sri Lanka. 

To have met Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, raised $20 million, spent time with senior CEOs. 

I feel an obligation and gratitude to Australia," Rangan says.

Rangan belongs to a lineage of illustrious courage.

It is my duty to record my memories of this lineage.

Rangan's father Janakan grew up at Jaffna.

He was one of those volunteers at my wedding in 1968 with Praba and Balakumar.

I had known his father Sri Kantha, (Government Agent, Jaffna) as a devotee of Yoga Swami.

My father was very close to Mr. Mailvaganam of Alaveddy, father of Janakan's father.

Mr. Mailvaganam was a very simple person cycling his way around, even though his son was virtually ruling the Northern Province as GA.

I used to visit Janakan's father as a student at the house of Proctor Kanagaratnams at KKS Raod, near Pirappankulam.

I never had the courage to sit in front of him unless asked to.

A photograph (1960) of Mr. Sri Kantha speaking at the Pillayar Temple (my father was the trustee) at Maravanpulavu, my village is attached. Mr. Ki Va Jaganathan, then Editor Kalaimagal monthly from Chennai was the other speaker.

When Janakan's elder sister Malini and her Sinhalese lady friend came to Chennai, when I was a student there (1961 or 1962), Janakan's father thought it fit to ask me to help them which I did with care and attention. [Malini and I were jailed in Chennai during early 1997 is another story. Hospitality Yogan (Janakan's older brother) provided me in Brisbane is also another story]

During my years in Colombo, I joined Janakan's father in his prayer recital programs at Wellawathe Pillayar temple. 

He was then Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands.

Janakan was in touch with me during those days.

He was a law student. He had probably joined the Army as a volunteer.

Once I took Janakan to the chamber of Mr. M. Tiruchelvam Q. C.

Later I used to meet Janakan at the KKS airport.

In July 1977, after the riots, we had asked for special trains to take the refugees to Jaffna and the Government had agreed. 

Mr. K. C. Nithyananda, Mr. Kandasamy and myself negotiated with the then GA Colombo Mr. Wimal Amarasekara when he came to see us at the refugee camp at Bambalapiya Hindu College.

I was leading a batch of refugees to the Fort Railway station to be transported by the first special train to Jaffna. 

It was early in the morning. 

The refugees reached the Railway station in buses. 

Along with Mr. Thanabalasingham (Senior officer in the Income Tax Department) I went to the platform. 

We saw the train. 

There were persons already inside the compartments. 

Mr. Wimal Amarasekara and few police officers were at the platform. .

Both of us went to the GA. 

We told him about the presence of passengers inside the special train, meant only for the refugees. 

He did not take us seriously. 

He asked us to get the refugees board the train. 

We requested him to clear the train meant only for the refugees. 

We told him that the refugees, already in a state of fear, will not be comfortable in the presence of persons of unknown background. 

GA did not listen to us. 

So we went to the buses and asked the refugees to stay inside the buses.

GA became furious. 

He asked the police officers to take us away. 

They came and pushed us towards a waiting police vehicle. 

We protested.

While we were being pushed, I heard a voice, "Annai, what is the problem?". 

It was Janakan. He had arrived there leading a contingent of army men to escort the train.

He came to us. We told him of the situation.

He told the police officials to release us.

We went along with Janakan to the train.

He asked his men to clear the train of the occupying persons.

Thereafter the refugees were offloaded from the buses to board the train.

Janakan took control of the situation, ignoring the GA and the police.

I do not miss meeting Janakan whenever I visit Sydney.

When I read about Rangan, I was pleased.

From Mr. Mailavaganam through Mr. Sri Kantha through Janakan, an inheritance of illustrious courage is Rangan.

Congratulations to the flag carrier of the lineage of futuristic innovators and administrators.  

Off springs of Rangan will perform better.

 

Tamils are proud of you Rangan. So am I.

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மறவன்புலவு க. சச்சிதானந்தன்
Maravanpulavu K. Sachithananthan