By P.Srivatsan
P.Krishnamurthy, a long time volunteer at Adyar’s Cancer Institute (WIA) retired on 31st March. He spent the last 18 years at Adyar Cancer hospital and was able to bring in changes in the administrative and financial departments.
Born in a humble family in 1939 at Pudukkottai, he completed his schooling at Brahadambal Government High school. He could not attend college due family circumstances and took up employment with Hoechst Dyes and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., in the then Madras. Krishnamurthy learnt German to interact with scientists from Germany who visited India often, and gradually rose to being No.2 in the Madras Branch sales and administration responsible for the Southern States. Krishnamurthy retired in 1999.
In 2005, Krishnamurthy’s family had a situation which brought him in touch with Dr.S.Krishnamurthy and Dr.V.Shanta of Adyar Cancer hospital. After observing the hospital operations at close quarters, Krishnamurthy met the two eminent leaders and doctors and offered his services. He drew a simple plan in areas where the hospital could be more efficient, thereby helping the institute authorities, administration, doctors and patients. Dr.Shanta immediately agreed to his request.
Krishnamurthy has been an amazing and inspiring leader volunteer in the Cancer hospital for the past 18 years and his childlike enthusiasm for areas to computerise and automate, despite being an octogenarian. His years of experience as a management professional in the pharma and dye industry helped him understand finances, taxation on drugs and he was able to bring in his negotiation skills to benefit the institution. Ever eager to look at process improvements, Krishnamurthy has been a massive inspiration and mentor to the staff of Adyar Cancer hospital. There were numerous felicitations held in the last week of March, with senior dignitaries from several walks of life personally wishing him for his contributions.
Krishnamurthy cherishes the interactions he had with Dr.S.Krishnamurthy and Dr.V.Shanta, their simplicity, discipline and purpose towards their mission.
Krishnamurthy’s unwavering spirit of hard work to give back to the Adyar Cancer Institute, which has been built on the ideals of compassion and ‘service to all’ irrespective of social or economic class, is an inspiration for youngsters to emulate and a story in itself that people should be aware.
Well done, Sir, you have been a role model for many of us and here’s wishing you the very best for your next innings which we are sure would be as productive and inspiring.
Krishnamurthy is a resident of Adyar and can be reached at [email protected].
