Ms.Sumathi Vijayakumar has been holding a prime position in Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle, Australia (PATCA) sharing the Managing Committee responsibilities with its President Thiru.Anna Magizhnan. During Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani’s recent tour through Australia she was able to interact with him for two days, when he was at leisure. She says she has learnt four invaluable lessons from him that are for her lifetime. Her narration was as follows in a nutshell:
I am at a loss of words to commend Asiriyar K.Veeramani who has spent 80 long years in public life. He has been the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam, the linchpin of self-respect movement. As a living extension of three legends, Thanthai Periyar, Arignar Anna and Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, he richly deserves to be paid a huge debt of our gratitude. He has been lavishing his precious time and energy for about two weeks touring through Australian cities. During the hours spent having a lively chat with him, I learned four precious lessons from him, who taught me literally as a teacher – ‘Asiriyar’.
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When we visited the Parliament House of Australia, we found a copy of MAGNA CARTA. We found the number 1215 on the cover. Asiriyar asked us if it denoted the year of Magna Carta. We said that it could be the serial number of the proclamation. Asiriyar was not convinced. He began browsing the document and found that 1215 denoted the year of Proclamation.
Lesson 1
On 19th March, 2025, I went on time to meet Asiriyar, I had to escort him and take him around Canberra. He was late only by ten minutes in getting ready. I spent those minutes chatting with Advocate Ms.Arulmozhi the Propaganda Secretary of the Dravidar Kazhagam. Asiriyar got ready and greeted me with a smile. I was surprised when he said – “I am sorry, I made you wait.”
How could a stalwart say sorry for making someone wait for just 10 minutes? Infact, why should a living legend of his stature and calibre say sorry to me? This was the first lesson I learned that morning. One may be at a glorious height in life, the leader of a great movement, an erudite scholar or an aged wise-man, if they cause even a mild discomfort to a common man or woman – seeking sincere apology is a sign of etiquette. Truly big people never hesitate to say sorry when they err. Asiriyar proved it by his exemplary and exceptional gesture. This may seem to be simple to some, but it is not. Forgiving is a great virtue but seeking forgiveness is greater. Is this not a lesson for a lifetime?
Lesson 2
Most of us know very well about Asiriyar’s photographic memory. We do come across many people like him who have an elephant’s memory, but we rarely find people who use their extraordinary memory power wisely. During my two days interaction with Asiriyar I learned the second lesson from him through two incidents.
I took him around the Parliament House. From the terrace we were able to see the War Memorial building. Between the Parliament House and the war memorial stood the old Parliament House. I just pointed to it and left with him. Later, when we went in the evening to visit other places, he located correctly on our way, the old Parliament House and exclaimed – “This was where the old Parliament House existed, wasn’t it?” I was surprised because I had been driving all along using the Google map but Asiriyar remembered the spot of the old Parliament House though he had seen it only for a few seconds from the terrace of the new Parliament House. This proved that his memory is photographic. I learnt a lesson that we should retain indelibly in our memory, anything that we happen to see casually.
On the following day, when I went to the airport to see him off, I found that we had missed the banner of our Circle (PATCA) in the car that we travelled by. Seeing me anxious Asiriyar said – “Another member of PATCA is expected to meet us tomorrow. Ask him to bring the banner to the venue of our next meet.” I was once again impressed by his memory power. He remembered the arrival of another member and found out the right solution. I learnt that little things too matter in life. Remembering well every little thing is helpful generally when need arises.
Lesson 3
When we visited the Parliament House of Australia, we found a copy of MAGNA CARTA. We found the number 1215 on the cover. Asiriyar asked us if it denoted the year of Magna Carta. We said that it could be the serial number of the proclamation. Asiriyar was not convinced. He began browsing the document and found that 1215 denoted the year of Proclamation. I learned the third lesson that we should endure pain to get things clarified when something is doubtful. Asiriyar believes in authenticity in every issue. He stays away from merely guessing and assuming. We have heard, he keeps proof ready at all times to convince listeners that he is right. It is an invaluable lesson, isn’t it? He taught me how to patiently keep looking for facts.
Lesson 4
The fourth lesson I learned from Asiriyar is to love books in the right way. I found him carefully looking at the cover of a book, its frontispiece, back wrapper, the blurbs, synopsis, brief comments of critics and every other aspect of the book. Every book gets his microscopic view. I learnt from him that reading is the greatest of all arts. Books love the people who love books, don’t they?
Asiriyar as a book-lover
Besides all the four lessons that I learned from Asiriyar, I observed many amazing habits of his. For instance, when we visited the National Library of Australia, we found scrap books and pencils kept at the entrance for the use of visitors. Asiriyar went through the titles of all the books on almost all the books and made a note on a scrap book of all the books that he intended to buy later. He jotted down the names of several authors and brief notes on the subjects.
On the following day at the airport we had to wait for the departure of the aircraft. Asiriyar did not like to waste his time. He barged into a book store and bought a book. He explained to me later what made him buy that book. He said – “Look at the name of the author. It is a Japanese name. The original book in Japanese has been translated into English. Such books are generally worth buying. It was published long ago but it is still displayed on the shelf of “Best Sellers”. I am sure this book would certainly be great. I was surprised by his keen observations, choice and selection.
After buying that book, Asiriyar and I sat in the waiting hall surrounded by friends. When all others were chatting merrily, Asiriyar finished reading four pages of the new book.
On the first day of Asiriyar’s visit to Australia, I gifted him a book. When I met him in the evening, he had finished reading it. He said – “It is a book by a writer who adheres to RSS system of thought.”
Asiriyar is too cheerful and active especially when he is involved in two activities. One is during his tireless public speeches. The other is when he drowns himself in the sea of books. Asiriyar is a very fast reader. He highlights important sentences. I have never ever seen so far a voracious reader like him. It is a matter of pride that three books authored by Asiriyar are on the shelves of the National Library of Australia. Is one life time enough to learn from Asiriyar all that are embedded in him? He is a mobile library and a treasure trove of knowledge. I would rather call him a University.
