THE  MODERN  RATIONALIST

With unexplainable grief we deeply condole the sudden demise of Prof. G.V.K.Aasaan at Chennai in the evening of 22nd October, 2010. He was ailing for the past few days and was taken to hospital three weeks before for treatment. He got recovered and went to Coimbatore for a short visit. He came back to Chennai from Coimbatore few days ago and his wife and daughter visited him on 21-10-2010 at Chennai.

But at about 6.30 in the evening of 22-10-2010, he fell gravely ill and he was rushed to the hospital immediately, but the physicians declared him dead. We were greatly shocked. His family was informed about his demise and an Ambulance has been arranged and his body sent to Coimbatore with proper escort.

Born in 1935 at Udumalaipet of Coimbatore District, his age was 75 . He is survived by his wife Tmt. Saradamani, a daughter Tmt. Uma and Sons Thiruvalargal Senthil and Kumar. We extend our deep condolences to his family and friends. As Thanthai Periyar used to say what cannot be avoided must be endured.

Prof. G.V.K.Aasaan was a great scholar who have obtained Post Graduate Degrees in Economics, Politics, History and Philosophy. He was proficient both in Tamil and English. He has also obtained a law degree and practised for some time at Coimbatore. He held many positions including the Deputy General Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam, State President of Rationalists’ Association, Principal of Periyarism Training College, Trichy, Member of the Syllabus Committee of Periyar Maniammai University, Headquarters Secretary of Dravidar Historical Research Centre, Chennai.

He was awarded the title of ‘Periyar Peruraiyalar’ (orator on Periyarism) for his lecture delivered for Kailasam Endowment Trust. He has written many books in Tamil namely, ‘Linguistic Rights’, ‘Creation of Varna Jathi System’, ‘Thanthai Periyar in Tamil History’, ‘Bharathiyar’, ‘Pavendar and Periyar,’ ‘Kumaran Aasaan’, ‘Sahu Maharaj’, ‘History of the Eela Tamil’s struggle for rights’, ‘The identity created by Periyar in the struggle for human rights’ and in English namely ‘Gora’s positive atheism and Free Will’, ‘Thiruvalluvar on learning, knowledge and wisdom’.

He has translated the famous work of Richard Dawkins “The God Delusion” in Tamil. He was in the editorial board of Viduthalai Tamil Daily, and The Modern Rationalist. He was taking classes on Dravidian Movement, Dravidian History in Periyariyal Workshops for the past 25 years. He has taken part in many agitations and struggles in support of the rights of Tamilians, Tamil language and social justice and he was arrested many times under preventive custody and judicial custody.

His body was laid in Periyar Thidal on 22-10-2010 for the cadres to pay their respects. Dr.K.Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam placed floral wreath on the body as a mark of respect. The Treasurer of Dravidar Kazhagam G.Swamidurai, General Secretaries of Dravidar Kazhagam Kali. Poongunran and S.Arivukkarasu, Headquarters Secretary V.Anburaj, Manager P.Seetharaman, Presss Manager Saravanan and many other party cadres paid their respects.

T.K.S.Ilangovan, M.P., Prof. Suba Veerapandian, Balaraman of Congress Party, Thiru Kuselar, Leader of Labour Union, Writer K. Thirunavukkarasu, D.M.K.Umapathi, Prof. Ramasamy, Prof. Naganathan, Prof. Rajadurai, Dr. Porko, Prabakaran, Vice-Chancellor of Veterinary Science University, Prof. Mangala Murugesan, Mayilai N.Krishnan, V.Kumaresan, S.V.R.Sigamani, Pulavar Pa. Veeramani, V.Anaimuthu, Sathiyanarayana Singh, G.Karunanidhi, D.K. Women’s Wing Organiser K.Parvathi, Mohana Veeramani, Advocate Arulmozhi, K.Thirumagal, Advocate Veerasekaran, Veeramarthini, T.K.Natarajan, R.Vilvanathan, G.Thangamani, C.Senguttuvan and many members of our movement paid respects.

Dr.K.Veeramani and others accompanied the Ambulance upto the Periyar E.V.R. High Road and sent off the ambulance taking his body to Coimbatore. An all party condolence meeting was held at his residence Kalviyagam in Vadakovai at 2 pm on 23-10-2010. Prominent people of all parties of Coimbatore, members of various associations and writers spoken in this condolence meeting. His cremation took place at 4 pm on 23-10-2010 at the Electric Cremation grounds at Saravanampatti.

G.V.K.Aasaan will ever be rememberd for his selfless service to the society,Tamil language, Dravidian and Self Respect Movements.

His portrait will be unveiled and homage meeting as a remembrance will be held at Coimbatore on 3-11-2010 and Thiru K.Veeramani will deliver his condolence address.

- Editor and other staff members