Preman the Most Adorable Personality

Past memories of my association with Premachandran begin to unfurl as I settle down to pen this write-up. Preman as he was affectionately called by his relatives and friends was an amiable gentleman who won the hearts of everyone by his simplicity pleasing manners and friendly disposition.

Born to parents who were both teachers at Kadduvan Preman began his education at his neighbourhood school Palar Gnanothaya Vidyasalai. After completing his secondary education in Colombo he underwent training at the Irrigation Technical Institute in Galgamuwa. On successful completion of the course he was appointed as Technical Assistant in the Irrigation Department in Colombo. In order to enhance his professional career, he left government service and assumed duty as an engineer in a foreign Korean company.

While in service he married his chosen lady Vasanthathevi affectionately known as Kili aunty of Varuthalavilan. Later both of them took flight to UK in 1989 and settled there. He was offered a job in the Home Office Department where he continued to work in the immigration section till he retired.

Preman was an ardent Saivite who fully engaged himself in his chosen religion. His deep commitment to service at the Kanaka Thurkkai Amman Temple in West London as Chairman and Secretary on several occasions on a routine basis bears testimony for his dedication for the development of Saivism. Every year during the car festival of the temple he took the lead in organising the festival with the help of the members of the trustee members of the executive committee and the public. Preman was also fully engaged in the temple’s charity programme for which he had made valuable contributions both financially and physically. He along with Dr. V. Paramanathan made several trips to Vanni for engaging in charity programme for the war widows. He also purchased packets of rice flour and chilly powder prepared by war widows in Vanni particularly in Kilinochi and sold them in the temple in UK. This human service was done mainly to help the war widows who are the sole breadwinners for their families.

His wife too rendered a helping hand in all his activities. Along with Preman she was fully engaged in the Ulaga Saiva Peravai which was established by Saint Sivananthi Adhigal. It was Sithantharathinam Dr. K. Ganesaligam who introduced them in this spiritual pursuit.

Life has moments of happiness and sadness alternating. The sudden demise of Preman after a brief illness was a terrible shock to everyone particularly to his beloved wife who has lost her life long companion. May the Almighty grant her the courage to tide over the irreplaceable loss and enable her to follow the spiritual path laid by Preman.

C.Kamalaharan
Montreal
Canada.