Arun Pradhan or Andu as he was more popularly known by his close friends and family members was the youngest of the 3 Pradhan siblings. I remember Baba often saying that among us three brothers Andu was by far the most intelligent. He was according to Baba also gifted with the ability to memorize very quickly whatever he read; even only if it was a passing scan of the material he was reading.
Just like Baba his two younger brothers Sudhir and Andu too were stricken by the shock by the untimely demise of their father. I remember Baba saying that his mother felt very secure because she was gifted with not one but three capable and intelligent children who she was confident after the death of her husband would again recover their family on the path of progress.
In my opinion as a kid who grew up looking up to Andu kaka as my father’s younger brother , I felt that in many ways his ways of life were similar to Baba’s though much risk averse. As kids whenever we visited his house during our holidays or travelled with him and my cousins he always treated us with utmost love and care. I guess I was most comfortable in his company and could easily start a conversation with him. Our talk would be very informative for me especially as he was a person who would share his experience and knowledge with any person, be it somebody who was very much younger to him.
Andu kaka took up a job at the Reserve bank of India and his work forced him to move to various places in India with his family. Often this disrupted his family’s routine but he took it as part of his job and tried to make this transition as smooth for himself and his family. He had two sons, Bhushan and Ashish Pradhan with whom me and Anagha , my sister spent days together playing and having fun. We frequently used to visit their house in Santacruz in Mumbai and have a really good time. I still remember the days when during our school holidays we visited his house in Ahmedabad and in Calcutta. Those days were characterized with wholesome fun as we never felt when being at his house as if we were away from our own.
By the dint of his hardwork and inherent intelligence Andu kaka quickly climbed the corporate ladder within the apex bank of India , the Reserve Bank and soon became the Joint Controller of Foreign Exchange and was posted at Calcutta. One thing I distinctly remember visiting his house in Calcutta was the sheer size of his residence apartment. All senior officers working with the bank were given accommodation by the bank in very spacious and laid out apartments something which was a matter of envy for others who knew him. Andu kakas rapport with Baba could best be described as one which had mutual love and respect for each other. Though they had their share of misunderstandings yet the bond between them never really diminished. Andu kaka often used to visit our house when in Mumbai on an official visit and used to stay at our place. I remember as a Kid his mere presence in our house would bring with him a sense of discipline and planning as we as kids would strive our best to behave like good kids when he was our guest.
I remember after his retirement as the General Manager at RBI Andu kaka still remained quite active in his life. On numerous occasions baba would consult him for his astute judgment and knowledge pertaining to the Banking sector.
I still remember as a college going adolescent I was just embarking on starting my own enterprise , that of making custom built personal computers Andu Kaka was the first person who voluntarily seeing my enthusiasm offered to get his own personal computer assembled from me. It was a great honor for me to do that as well as I personally was very gratified by the faith he had reposed in me though I was a complete novice in that line of business at that time. I still in my heart thank him for giving me this opportunity without which I never would have achieved that first break so crucial to my confidence and eventual success of my enterprise in the later years.
I had the privilege to be close to andu kaka during his last days post his retirement when he was fighting a life threatening disease , cancer. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have got an opportunity to spend time with him during his sickness and to be by his side during his last moments. When I realized one day morning that he was no more I felt as if I had lost a father figure who was not less in respect and admiration to me than my own father.
I humbly would like to use this platform to pay a flowing tribute to Andu kaka . You will always be fondly remembered for all the wonderful different ways that you touched the lives of all who knew you. The respect you commanded from friends and foes alike. Your life is an example for us to see that on how with intelligence , hard work and perseverance, the adversity you faced as a child due to the loss of your father at a very young age can still be converted into an opportunity leading to prosperity for ones family.