Message from MSK – a tribute

“NEVER CLOSE A DOOR WITH A BANG, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE TO REOPEN IT” – were the words written on the door of MSK’s office, I was told by my seniors, when I started working.

Sri M.S.Krishnamurthy or MSK, as he was fondly called was the founder-director of Citadel Fine Pharmaceuticals, with which I was associated for more than a decade.  By the time I had started working MSK had retired and visited our office occasionally.  Though he was not involved in the day-to-day operations, he monitored funds flow and primary sales regularly.  He took my help in compilation of data and typing reports.  Unlike his contemporaries, he was tech-savvy.  Every time he visited, he learnt something new or taught us something new.   

Sometimes, he also sought my help in typing his personal letters.  On such occasions, he brought the necessary stationery including letterheads, envelopes, postage stamps and acknowledgement cards etc. If I had to send the letters by courier service, he immediately paid cash for the service.  Though he was one of the Directors, he never allowed office stationery to be used for his personal work.  He always checked if I had any other important work before assigning work. He wrote the letters in longhand on rough sheets and insisted that I read his script aloud to ensure that I understood the contents before I started typing.  The letters were always interesting.  They were mostly addressed to Bank Managers for wrong credits/debits, to Companies for non-receipt of dividend warrants, to Corporation Officials for bad maintenance of roads, to electricity department for power fluctuations, to consumer forums complaining about guarantees and warrantees etc.    From him I have learnt, of many things, handling personal finance meticulously. 

A thorough gentleman and an epitome of simplicity, he spoke only when required. He once asked me, if I own a pet and gave a photocopy of a newspaper clipping and requested that I share it with my friends.  I didn’t have friends with whom I could share it and so kept it in my drawer and it remained there for several years.  This newspaper clipping was one of the few things I carried with me, when I left the organization subsequent to an external reconstruction. 

A connoisseur of arts, animal activist, botanical enthusiast, a man with great scientific temper and a successful businessman - MSK passed away in his sleep on the early hours of 6^th January 2012, after living 88 years of principled, disciplined and contended life.

As a tribute, I am sharing the contents from the newspaper clipping he requested me to share with my friends:

New Haven Register, Saturday, July 13, 1996 Page C9

ANN LANDERS’ COLUMN

Question:  Dear Ann Landers:  I am enclosing a poem for all those people who drop their dogs and cats off in the country, hoping they will find another home.  These people should know there are alternatives to abandoning a pet, Maybe this poem will make a difference – Lorna, a Stars and Stripes Reader

Dear Lorna, Thank you on behalf of all pet owners.  I agree that it is not only thoughtless, but cruel to drop a pet off on the highway, hoping someone will pick it up.  Your contribution is sure to make a difference.

A Dog Sits Waiting by Kathy Flood

A dog sits waiting in the cold autumn sun

Too faithful to leave, too frightened to run

He’s been here for days now with noting to do

But sit by the road, waiting for you

He can’t understand why you left him that day

He thought you and he were stopping to play

He’s sure you’ll come back and that’s why he stays

How long will he suffer?  How many more days?

His legs have grown weak; his throat’s parched and dry

He’s sick now from hunger and falls, with a sigh

He lays down his head and closes his eyes

I wish you could see how a waiting dog dies

Please share this poem with your friends as a mark of respect to the departed soul!