Remembering C. Rajendran (1950-2009): A Collective Loss
Frankly this is one editorial I wish I never had to write. Like most people, I fi nd it diffi cult to believe that C. Rajendran, the beloved director of Projects Abroad, India, is no more. His unexpected death has benumbed all those who knew him and fi lled us with a deep sense of sorrow and loss. To die as he did, in seemingly good health, with so many productive years ahead of him professionally and many exciting developments to look forward to in his personal life, seems so needless and unfair. Why do such things happen to good people? I wondered.
My association with C. Rajendran is only three years old. I still recall his phone call in which he invited me to join Sivakasi Times as editor. The magazine itself was going through a transition and he promised me unconditional support. True to his word, he honoured his promises and gave me commendable creative space and freedom to implement ideas and revitalise the magazine. He was never too busy to meet me. We would often brainstorm creative ideas and his experience with working with cross cultural students and a fi rm grasp of local realities were invaluable.
I looked forward to our weekly briefi ngs and the informality of our interactions. Perhaps what I valued most was that he was a people’s person with a ready smile that sprung from the depths of his being, lit up his eyes and the whole room. When the magazine stabilised, and we were sometimes unable to meet because of his prior commitments in the offi ce, he would wave to me with a warm smile as I crossed his room. In fact of late our meetings even seemed unnecessary as we understood each other’s expectations and style of work. A couple of weeks back I met C. Rajendran when Peter Slowe had come down.We reviewed my three years as editor and discussed future plans for the magazine. Little did I realise it was my last meeting with him. During my subsequent visits, I tried to meet him but he was away on work.
On April 12, 2009, the phone call that announced his sudden demise fi lled me with disbelief. Last week when I was at the Sivakasi Times offi ce, I felt his presence in Spirit. Despite the shock, all of us carried on with our work. Yes, deadlines were sacred to C. Rajendran and the next month’s issue was in the fi nal stages. May be it was his way of letting us know that the show has to go on, no matter what…
Sivakasi Times shares the irreplaceable loss and poignant sorrow of his family, colleagues at Projects Abroad, and many friends and well wishers whose lives Rajendran had touched with his warmth, genuineness, and simplicity.
