S Parasuraman, a noted institutional builder and former director of the Tata Institute of Social Science, passed away on 2 September.
Published Sep 02, 2022 | 8:21 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2022 | 1:35 PM
Parasuraman, as far as institution building is concerned, was infectiously inspirational. (Supplied)
An institution-builder and the former director of the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), S Parasuraman — best known for his excellence and equality — passed away on September 2. He was 70.
A visionary in higher education, Parasuraman had come a long way, having been born to a farmer couple in Kovilpatti in Tamil Nadu.
He spent his days providing opportunities to youngsters and encouraging them. A discussion with a few professors and his colleagues revealed that Parasuraman believed in opening up the higher reaches of academia to everyone in general, and Dalits and tribals in particular.
He was the director of TISS from 16 August, 2004, to 5 February, 2008. He was a senior advisor to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Parasuraman was also responsible for auditing all specialised UN organisations that programmed development work in the rights framework in countries in the Asia region.
His colleagues, students, and professors greatly appreciated Parasuraman’s never-ending quest for social equality and opportunity.
Poet and TISS professor Ashwani Kumar told South First that Parasuraman was persuasive and supportive to everyone that he took under his wing. He took the leading school of social work and converted it into a world-famous social sciences institution, besides helping bring up campuses.
Saying that he was the best institutional builder in India, Ashwani Kumar told South First that Parasuraman broadened the scope of social work vastly through community engagement and social responsibility, among other things.
“I don’t know if any director can go out of his room to teach students in classrooms. He was so committed to his work. He involved himself in nurturing and mentoring students,” he said.
Kumar recently returned to India from Germany and was about to meet Parasuraman.
“Parasuraman was very supportive of me, and I have reached the position where I am today because of him. He used to be a great mentor and a friend of mine. Life is a magical journey, and we need people like him,” he said.
Professor PK Sajahan, Dean of Academic Affairs at TISS’ Mumbai Campus, told South First that Parasuraman was a rare breed of leader.
“Parasuraman was a great humanist and a visionary leader. He was the leading force behind the growth of TISS to almost four times its size and expanse. He was a rare leader with a strong institutional commitment and unmatched care and concern for the people who constituted the institute,” he said.
Parasuraman, as far as institution building is concerned, was infectiously inspirational. He knew every staff from the lowest level to the senior academic and admin staff.
Sajahan recollected that in one of the functions with the students, Parasuraman encouraged them and said, “If ever you have to take a side, take the side of the people.”
He added: “We sometimes used to make fun of him for his oft-said comment that ‘money will come’, indicating that a vision and commitment are needed to grow, and resources will follow.”
He nurtured leaders and young teachers and made every individual he associated with feel their inherent worth and capability, Sajahan told South First.
“Parasuraman cannot be a past; he will continue to guide all of us at TISS and elsewhere,” he added.
“Under his leadership, our campus rose to three in number. It’s a personal loss to me and to all those who knew him because he was a perfect soul, who was encouraging, and specifically easily accessible to everyone,” said TISS Mumbai Campus Assistant Professor Mohammad Tarique.
Parasuraman’s leadership and vision have shaped many, he said, adding that he had taken the initiative on the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship Programme (PMRDFS).
Students selected for the PMRDFS programme have two-three years to work with the district administrations and assess the implementation of governmental schemes.
“It was because of him that the youngsters are in a great position. He believed in youngsters and never had the habit of saying no to any new project from them. He always encourages them. Anybody could reach out to him anytime,” he said.
He also added that the death of Parasuraman was shattering, and it felt like a personal loss to him.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took to Twitter and expressed his condolences on the passing of Parasuraman.
In a tweet, he said he was saddened by the passing of Parasuraman, who served for 14 years at the helm of India’s proudest educational institution at TISS.
கோவில்பட்டியில் எளிய குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து, இந்தியாவின் பெருமைமிகு கல்வி நிறுவனமான @TISSpeak-இன் தலைமைப் பொறுப்பில் 14 ஆண்டுகள் பணியாற்றியவரும், மிகுந்த சமூக ஈடுபாடு கொண்டவருமான முனைவர் பரசுராமன் அவர்களின் மறைவால் வேதனையடைகிறேன்.
குடும்பத்தினர், நண்பர்களுக்கு என் ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல். https://t.co/7zTT39ngFG
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 2, 2022
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also tweeted, expressing his condolences.
My deep condolences to the family & friends.
Dr Parasuraman, former director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, passed away. He’s From Kovilpatti, Tamilnadu.
Whose service the nation remembers .????????? pic.twitter.com/NX6p0HfLM0— Manickam Tagore .B??✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 2, 2022
“It is a huge loss to society and student communities. Parasuraman had spent his life building many youngsters’ futures. He was a great institutional builder and a good human being. I express my deep condolences to his bereaved family at this time,” the Congress MP told South First.
