Valli's Eulogy

Vellay - My brother, My Best Friend, My Hero

November 19th, 1978, 01:05 A.M. - The day when my parents' many, many tearful prayers were answered with the long-awaited, arrival of this beautiful baby boy into the world. The little miracle filled their lives with joy, warmth & Love.

He was gentle and intellectually poise by nature. He was two years older than me and I have faint memories of our sibling rivalries even before I could talk. Even as a young toddler, he would give up the toys for me and my share of the pie, was always bigger than his.

He had a killer smile, which would melt even the toughest of hearts. His smile was his trademark.

Since his early years, he showed respect and cared for everybody around him. While our paternal Grandparents adored him for his mellowness, our maternal Grandparents couldn't part from their 4 year old munchkin, when we had to move to a different city. My Maternal Grand father left his earthly body in just 40 days since the cruel hands of fate snatched his darling grandson away.

He was gentle; yet strong. He really would be a BIG brother when he was around his siblings. He always watched over us & I always looked up to him. Looking back it looks silly, but, I can remember quite a few occasions where I've boasted to my friends how super-cool my brother was. He taught me how to ride a bicycle.

He was a man of actions; rather than words. I bet even his close friends wouldn't know that he learned to play guitar during his middle school days or that he was an excellent roller skater, who elegantly skated on the roads of Madurai, throughout his teen years.

Vellay's altruism demanded generosity and kindness from everyone he touched. He valued friendship in any form. I remember his first visit to India , after he had been to U.S. He was there for a very short time, for my wedding. In between all the errands that he had to run, he took some time off to go see the lady who had cooked for him during his under graduation days.

As a student, he always, always made the honor roll... Being in the same school with him, & just a year apart in classes, it was a hell a lot of struggling to live up to the expectations of my teachers. Be it Math or physics or chemistry - he had an upper hand on everything. I remember my math tutor talking to my dad once, when he came to pick me up from one of the classes. My Final exams were nearing & my dad was concerned about my progress. My tutor replied "She's Vellay's Sister! She's gotta prove that sometime soon".

He was more than successful in whatever he set his mind on & he made my parents shed a lot of tears - happy tears... From the first prize that he won for a "Memory" game in his preschool days to the laurels he received in high school for getting one of the highest scores.

He proceeded for his under graduation in his chosen field, Mechanical Engineering, in a reputed Institution. This is the time when the quiet, subtle, 'Talk less- work more' attitudinal guy evolved into a more daring, enthusiastic fireball bubbling with energy.He pulled in multitudinous roles as a Student ambassador, a National Service Scheme loyalist, the class topper and most importantly a good Samaritan.

None the less, he graduated with flying colors and went on to consummate his Masters from the Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona . While his contagious, uplifting, warm hearted smile earned him many friends from school & work, his research thesis, published in an International, Application Oriented Research Journal Computers In Industry added another feather to his hat.

Vellay then proceeded to work for Dell, Austin , TX . He was not only favored by his bosses and employees that he worked with, he was also decorated with the "Eye of the Texan" bestowment. Being a well organized and self-disciplined person, he never ceased to channel his bubbling energy with activities like gym, playing volleyball, swimming or the least - cleaning his home. He was one heck of a clean-freak, next only to my mom.

Vellay had the whole world in front of him & he was just about successful in every venture he set his mind on. But his life wasn't complete until his lovely wife, Alamelu stepped into his life. She was the missing piece in this complicated, yet sophisticated puzzle. Together they lived a fairytale life. They adored, admired and idolized each other. Their friends called them 'Love Birds'. Alamu complemented to what vellay already had. She exponentially expanded their social circle and together they were always there for their friends and family.

Vellay's dauntlessness and adeptness would often times be shadowed by his gentle, unpretentious kindness he showered on people around him.

When all's well - when he had supremacy over earthly matters and was ready to conquer more ... He became dearer to God than to us all.

August 11th, 2007, 7:55 PM - The day when our many, many tearful prayers were shunned by God, as he robbed us of our most precious possession.

To die and part is a less evil; but to part and live, there, there is the torment.

~George Lansdowne