Sir,

I read with sadness the news about the passing away of Dr. S. Ananthalakshmi (84) under Obituary column in SOM dated Dec.14. May be, it is customary to say, whenever some known person departs to the heavenly abode that, ‘The loss is irreplaceable.’ But in the passing away of Dr. Ananthalakshmi, the society has really been deprived of care, concern and courtesy extended towards the patients who visited her for treatment.

As lady members of our family always felt, there was a rare dignity with which she addressed her patients.

During my tenure as Principal of Sadvidya Composite PU College, many times I had invited Dr. Ananthalakshmi (whom I personally knew as a kind friend of our family) to address our lady students about sensitive issues related to adolescence. It would always be strictly for girl students only, with lady lecturers in attendance.

I was briefed by my lady staff later that Dr. Ananthalakshmi was very motherly in her methods of counselling young girl students (all of them were from PU classes), with regard to their psychological, emotional and anatomical issues. I am sure SOM readers will agree that many times even the educated parents will find the matter challenging and need the help of such kind-hearted and able persons like Dr. Ananthalakshmi.

Well, she never charged us even a single rupee, didn’t even ask for transportation. What is more, the wonderful person that she was, she offered free consultation as a follow up for my students, in case they needed it. That was Dr. Ananthalakshmi, as we knew her.

I respectfully salute her.

-Prof. K.V. Satyan, V.V. Mohalla, 16.12.2024

Note: “Full many a gem of purest ray serene. The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear: Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. And waste its sweetness on the desert air.”—Thomas Gray

Sadvidya College is fortunate that it could find a gem of a doctor who like flower spread her fragrance of knowledge for the good of lady students. Principal Prof. Satyan needs to be appreciated for his forethought and vision.—Ed

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