Page 119 - bv pillai - a saga

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From the many things my father told me about my
grandfather, I have gathered that Mr. B.V. Pillai was special
and different from his contemporaries in the towns and
villages where he grew up. He was clearly an independent

thinker who could step outside and beyond the thinking of
the people around him and his times (He was a lawyer,
freedom fighter, administrator and politician while most of
his family during those times must have agriculturists). He
valued education. He thought about the social issues of his
times and felt deeply about the people and their sufferings.
He followed the speeches and writings of the leaders of his

times including Gandhiji. He had the courage to not flow
with the crowd. He joined the freedom struggle and social
upliftment movements of his times. He did not hesitate taking
up public positions (for ex, in the Madras State government)
to shape the future. He joined many other leaders in willingly
making sacrifices during the freedom struggle. And once,

India attained independence he promptly stepped away from
politics and turned his attention to taking care of his family
responsibilities.

My grandfather was my father’s role model. If there was
any one person whose approval my father sought, it was
that of my grandfather. My father held my grandfather in
great respect. My grandfather was somebody who supported
my father’s pursuits on both the professional and personal

fronts. He was always willing to look at my father’s pursuits
with consideration and wisdom. He encouraged my father
to work hard, to achieve, to be ambitious and to think longer
term. He understood that it was important to allow may father