K. P. M. Sundharam
by Himakar Tata
I am Himakar Tata, an ex- student of Prof Sundharam at S.R.C.C . I was a student of B.A. (Hons) Economics, 1975-78 batch @SRCC. Later I did my M.A. (Economics) from the Delhi School of Economics ( 1979-81 batch). Thereafter I joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service and took voluntary retirement as Chief Passenger Transportation Manager / South Western Railway, Hubli in 2005. I am now based in my hometown, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
I was familiar with the writings of Prof Sundharam even during my school days at St. Xavier’s, Bokaro as a student of Economics. I would make extensive reference to his books on both Micro Economics & Indian Economy for my Indian School Certificate Exam in December 1974. Prof. Sundharam has left behind a rich literary legacy through his well-acclaimed books. When I joined SRCC in 1975, I was delighted to learn that I was allotted Section A, because Prof Sundharam was to be our teacher for Micro Economics. It was to lay our foundation in Economics. Attending his lectures was a sheer delight because he had conceptual clarity in his field. That apart from his smiling countenance, talks peppered with a fantastic sense of humour endeared him to all of us. Students from the other section, B, would also join us A section students to listen to his talk with rapt attention. The classes of Prof Sundaram never saw many vacant seats.
I was a hosteller staying in A Block. This facilitated an even more informal interaction with him after classes. Prof Sundharam’s interaction with us was characterized by transparency, plain talk and compassion. He never hesitated to call a “spade a spade”, be it in his criticism of the College Administration or the affairs of the country during the Emergency period (1975-77). He would also attend our hostel functions and have an encouraging word about our organization of Crossroads, the cultural festival of SRCC, our Annual Hostel Nights etc. (It was in 1975, the year I joined SRCC, that our college hosted its first Cultural Festival, Crossroads). He would go out of his way to encourage us in our extra-curricular activities. He would always reciprocate our greetings with a warm smile and his spontaneous jokes would result in all round peals of laughter in our class. College students, more so hostellers, were prone to bunking classes. But I can say with confidence that bunking Prof. Sundaram’s class was the last thing on the minds of students in my class. Even though Prof Sundaram was magnanimous in accepting latecomers and giving them attendance even for a 10-minute spell, no one wanted to miss his classes !! There was something extra special about Professor Sundharam’s charisma!!! I guess Professor Sundharam was refreshingly different from many other professors at SRCC during his era. I would attribute it (if I am not mistaken) to his Loyola College, Madras grooming.
Unfortunately, after I left Delhi in 1981 for my career prospects I could not meet Professor Sundharam. But the smiling visage and humourous anecdotes of Prof KPM Sundharam delivered in an animated style left a deep imprint on me during my growing years as an undergraduate. I am happy that good people like Prof Sundharam lived till the ripe old age of 97. Perhaps it was this positive, carefree spirit that could have contributed to his longevity. In his long illustrious teaching career, he would have groomed several generations of students of Economics & Commerce at SRCC, thanks to his proficiency and articulation in his subject.
But more important than that he would have motivated his own family members and the community around him. That was on account of his inherent strengths in his own personality:- frankness, fearlessness, approachability & transparency in inter-personal interaction & a smooth uninhibited flow of wit & humour! May the soul of Professor Sundharam rest in peace! May the Good Lord give all of you the mental fortitude to shoulder this irreparable loss with equanimity of mind! May his spirit live on and may his goodwill continue to inspire all of you.
Amen!