Dr.M.Thangavelu was our Professor of Pathology and going down memory lane, I wish to pen down the following facts and facets of that great human being.
Dr.M.Thangavelu was born in 1921 at Rajapalayam, Tamilnadu. After the preliminary education he joined Madras Medical College and distinguished himself as a bright student. Then he pursued higher education in Pathology and completed the Post Graduate degree.
His days in Trivandrum
He joined Trivandrum Medical College and excellently organized the Department of Pathology. As a medical student I was impressed by his magnetic personality, persistent efforts at teaching and encouraging the students to do research. Every one of us was asked to write a thesis on a medical subject and I took up a study on the topic of Infectious Mononucleosis. This effort made us look up references, collect data and write the thesis in our own words. Every student did this work and some felt it was a waste of time, but many of us learnt a lot about the basics of doing a research. Prof. Thangavelu did look at what was produced and gave new directions.
Prof Thangavelu was appointed Principal of Medical College, Trivandrum. I dared to meet him in the office to convey my regards and congratulate him. He was humble and responded with a pat on my back. Every day he used to walk from his residential quarters to office, even though he had a car, a Morris Minor, KLT 743. He used to freely mix with students to collect information. He was a friend, philosopher and guide.
I passed my final MBBS with six gold medals. Prof.Thangavelu congratulated me and told me only about further work that is to be pursued on learning new fields.
In 1968, Prof.Thangavelu visited His Highness Chitra Tirunal at Kowdiar Palace. At that time he was informed by the Royal family about the the 60th birthday of His Highness and proposed the possibility of starting a super speciality centre. I was then the seeds of such an institution was sowed by Dr.Thangavelu. That was the beginning of Sri Chitra Tirunal Medical Centre and it was conceived to be built in the Medical College campus. Later on I had occasion t follow it up and worked in liaison with the Kerala Government and Royal family. Development of specialties as Cardiology and Neurology thus started.
No files ever rested on the Prof.Thangavelu’s table. He did take decisions and when required would take the files himself straight to the Health Secretary. N delay, so development of the Medical College facilities proceeded unhampered. He knew every tree and plant in the campus. Looking at the sandal wood saplings grow he used to feel elated. Yet vandals had the guts to tamper with the garden and he used to feel very sad.
Prof.Thangavelu has given land and building with all household items as a DEED OF GIFT to Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Centre, Palode, Trivandrum, for establishing a centre in memory of his beloved wife late Mrs. Saraswathi Thangavelu
He would walk down to clinical departments just to see every one comes on time! But did not reprimand anyone for being late. The fact that Principal came would make all the difference. All the staff members so made it a point to come on time.
Always only thing that was in his mind was the development of the institution. He was so sincere that many people even decided to criticize him and put impediments. So as usual there was an opposition group.
International assignment
In 1971, a point of shock came in his transfer to Calicut Medical College. Around that time Prof.Thangavelu now got an appointment to World Health Organization (WHO). He became Director in Charge of Infectious & Communicable diseases in South East Asia.
Yet all the time the progress of Trivandrum Medical College was foremost in his mind; and did whatever that was possible to achieve it.
An eminent Pathologist, an ardent committed educationist, an able administrator and humane kindhearted Professor, Prof.Thangavelu always will remain in our hearts.
Even after his retirement from WHO he contributed for the development of P.S.G.Medical College, Coimbatore and other institutions at Rajapalayam. He did all this work without accepting a salary.
This great personality towards his last days had some amnesia and such problems. He was ailing, still courageous.
He breathed his last on 9th October 2009. He had set a model, an example that few will find it possible to emulate.
His family was contented and progressive. His wife Saras left this world some 20 years ago. All his children are in good positions abroad. Last days were spent at Adyar, Chennai with his youngest son, an Architect.
May his soul rest in peace.
