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Join MemoriesThere are some people whose presence is a blessing to every life they touch. Ramu and Laxmi were true soul mates in that manner. I've been blessed to have an association with them that goes back to mid Nineteen eighties during our tenure in Ambala Memory. We are all eternal beings but some beings shine with the brilliance of the sun. It was trul...
PR Ganapathy Air Mshl PM was born
PR Ganapathy He's the youngest of 4 siblings - a sister and three brothers. The naughty little boy on the right.
PR Ganapathy Joins the Indian Air Force as a flight cadet.
PR Ganapathy Commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the Indian Air Force.
PR Ganapathy Ramu was my course mate of the 66th course. I have lost a good friend and a very good soul. What a great human soft spoken dignified courteous and kind. May his soul rest in peace. Gp. Capt. Roy Burjor Kothawala
PR Ganapathy Sees action during the Liberation of Goa, 1961, against the Portugese. Destroys the NRP Vega, a naval vessel on a suicide mission, for which he's awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
PR Ganapathy Married Lakshmy
PR Ganapathy Feeding son, Ganesh, dosa at breakfast, Dhaula Kuan, circa 1972
Kalpana Sunder It's difficult to write about someone who's been a part of your life forever. A beloved Chithappa, who was a dad figure, countless summer vacations spent with him and Lakshmi, memories of him snoring while we noisy kids jumped on the bed... He teaching me to ride my first cycle. His wonderful gifts from his foreign trips. His large, generous, non judgemental heart which enveloped everone and Lakshmi who was the perfect foil- fun and jokes that she brought in. Can never forget this special couple. Blessed to have known them.
PR Ganapathy Becomes the first non-Soviet Bloc pilot to fly the MiG-25 Foxbat - the sortie takes him to the edge of space at 23KM, 2.8 Mach.
Extremely saddened to hear the sad demise of a great man, father feature, a great test pilot, visionary and commander. I came in close contact with him at IIO, the real thrust and guide behind Darin. When we went for hot weather trials to Ambala, he was the AOC. Only yesterday we were discussing about him and Laxmiji, whose play school was the fi...
What does one say when one loses a father figure, a revered boss, guide, mentor, and a very dear friend. Air Marshal Palamadai Muthuswamy Ramachandran was all of that. In his long and illustrious career, he rose to the very top of the operations branch of the IAF and retired in a blaze of glory as Vice Chief of the IAF. I have yet to come across a ...
PR Ganapathy By noon today, Air Mshl PM Ramachandran’s mortal remains would have been consigned to the flames. He leaves behind many who grieve at his passing for he had touched them all with his superb professionalism, ethical conduct and an uncomplicated, humanistic approach to all things in life – whether professional or personal. What shone through was his innate simplicity. He mentored many, without seeming to, by his actions. He always walked his talk and therefore, he walked tall. In his case, his actions spoke much louder than his words. He was one who epitomized ethical behaviour in his personal or professional life. His professional decisions were based on merit and not on how they would be perceived. These have been my personal observations during our long association. I have the privilege of having served under him on three separate occasions – as his staff pilot in No 28 Sqn. AF in 1974, as a rookie test pilot while he was the Chief Test Pilot at ASTE, AF in 1980 and as a Flight Commander of a Jaguar Squadron while he was the Air Officer Commanding, Ambala Air Force Station in 1986. Much of what I have learned in the professional and personal sphere was influenced by merely observing his ‘state of being’. My family has received much love from Lakshmy and Ramu sir. We miss the two of them dearly. It will take us a while to heal. Om shanti. Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma (Retd)
I met the late Air Mshl PM Ramachandran for the first time at DSSC Wellinton when he as DPO, he came to give out our postings on completion of the course. As I did not get any of my choices, I sought a meeting with him to voice my disappointment. But then he prevailed upon me and actually forced me to accept my posting to Delhi. But a year late...
The Year 1991, I had just returned from Botswana after spending three years as part of IAF Training team. Gopi had passed away under most unfortunate circumstances and Ramu Sir was VCAS. I could not muster enough courage to take appointment from his Staff Officer to visit him. So, me and my wife, decided to drive to Akbar Road residence of VCAS to ...
Ramu Sir was a legend no doubt. He was so approachable and willing to listen to your point of view without enforcing his rank to shut you down. I went to him with a major accident COI, and when I explained my conclusions, he listened to them patiently. He commanded tremendous respect from his subordinates. A legend has passed. Reminds me of all bl...
I had known Air Marshal Ramachandran since 1970 when he led a team from ASTE and I was coopted from Air HQ as a technical member to evaluate a helicopter on offer. Later I worked under him when he was VCAS and I was Director Sigs (air). I always found him listening to various points of view and take decision. He was always supportive of staff plac...
PR Ganapathy Retired from the Air Force
One of the most upright and inspiring people I have ever met. Both Ramu uncle and the charming and endearing Lakshmi aunty taught one so many aspects of life just by observing them. The evenings spent with them in their Koramangala home were soo enjoyable. They were the perfect hosts Both of them will really be missed.
PR Ganapathy Flying with his son, Ganesh, in California, circa 2002
We first met Late Air Marshal Sri P.M. Ramachandran, fondly known to many as Ramu Uncle and his wife Late Smt Lakshmi Ramachandran when we used to have monthly meetings at Shreyas Srishti. What struck us most was they made the monthly meetings very lively and most importantly Mama and Lakshmi ensured the conversations in the meetings were both civi...
Mukesh Sharma I am glad that I got the opportunity to know Ramu uncle and Lakshmi aunty. My evenings at their place were the best parts of my visits to Chennai. I was always at home in their company and often lost track of time with interesting conversations on varied topics. We enjoyed our nutty deserts after meals. Herbal remedies that I was introduced to at their place continue to serve me well. I will miss them.
PR Ganapathy I am very proud to say that Air Mshl PM Ramachandran was my very first student (even when I was one) and I can say that I leant more while teaching him than he from me. Again I helped with mathematics while he prepared for the fellowship for Royal Aeronautical Society in London and I was the gainer. He brought gifts from England when I was in Punjab Univ. and I cherished it for a very long time. In late 70s he help us buy a plot and later construct a house in KML Bangalore. Ramu and Lakshmi have both been very dear to us and will forever cherish their memory. Sankaran RAMU....very generous, ever helpful, well disciplined and a great friend, who always pampered us. He is no more and its very hard to accept his loss. So many happy memories come in a flash when thinking of him and Lakshmi. So happy to have had this beautiful and wonderful relationship we have always enjoyed. They have always been their for us and we are always greayful to them for everything they did. Om Shanthi.
PR Ganapathy A family photo on his favourite terrace at his favourite time, Sunset, in 2021.
Pankaja and I first met Ramu Sir and Mrs Ramachandran in Coimbatore, much after we both left IAF. We witnessed a Marghazhi music film starring TM Krishna and Jayashree sisters - we all enjoyed the 2-hr show. The link Ramu Sir and I had was that our pensions were credited in to our Syndicate Bank accounts!! Any shortcomings in his Pension dues dur...
Though I have never met him personally, I was in touch with him about our Palamadai lineage. He was really the 'Pride of Palamadai'. Every time I visited the village, people would talk about him and the good things he did for the temple and the festivals. Great loss for the community.
Sad to learn about Air Mshl Ramachandran . He was an excellent officer, outstanding professional and above all a good human being. In his passing away the world of aviation has lost a great man. Heartfelt Condolences to the family.
PR Ganapathy Died peacefully in his own bed.
Air Mshl Ramu Sir was one of the most upright, highly professional and easily approachable senior officer with whom I have interacted in the Air Force. Veena joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the family. Veena and AVM Ranganath (Retd)
Very sad to hear about the demise of Air Marshal Ramu Sir. We knew him personally and used to interact with him during our Trips to Palamadai during Aradana, Navaratri and Tamiraparani pushkaram celebrations etc. He was a very helpful person and always kept a low Profile. During our visit to Palamadai in 2018 Pushkaram celebrations we were stayi...
Aditya Naishadam I've had a hard time finding a way to begin this message, so maybe I'll just stick to the facts first. I've know Ramu uncle and Lakshmi aunty since I was 3 years old. I'm 41 now and through all that time, I've never forgotten the warmth and the love that I've received from both of them. Laskmi aunty was my teacher and so much more. Ramu uncle was my hero growing up. He gave me my love of airplanes and made a little boy's dream come true, by putting him in a real flight simulator when he was stationed in Ambala. I will always look back on those memories with love, and a tinge of regret because I could not make more of them. Goodbye uncle..I will miss you so much. I don't really have the words to put down the loss I'm feeling at your passing. I just hope and pray that you knew how much you meant to me. Rest in peace uncle..and watch over us...
Neither chewing, nor smoking, Neither drinking, nor gambling, Neither cheating, nor chasing, Ever in trust of Almighty, Ever humble and loving to all, Ever striving to reach the blues, But down to earth a sweet being, Loving all creations of Nature, May your soul be a bright star, Guiding the future generations, To strive and reach for the stars !!...
I have so many memories of Ramu Uncle and Lakshmy Aunty (and yes, I always addressed them with those anglicized titles because I felt he wasn't a Periappa since he and Appa were the same age) it's hard to know where to begin. One of the earliest memories is a of trip he made to Chandigarh by himself, well except he wasn't alone, he brought Teddy, t...
I first met Air Marshal Ramachandran (Ramu Sir) in AF Station Ambala when he was AOC Ambala. He was extremely gentle, humane and a person one could meet. A high professional who was easy to talk to for guidance. Helpful by nature, approachable to one and all in the station. A fine human being who will be missed by all. Ganesh, Ritu joins me in con...
Sastry Nori Ramachandran was a Gentleman General. He was SASO and I was SMSO in Jodhpur in 1989-1990. With his simplicity, he won the minds and hearts of every one. We both used to discuss many subjects in our evening walks. His wife Lakshmi, was a joy to meet. We were also neighbours and lived like a family. Sameer was like another son in Ramu's family. God bless their souls to rest in peace. AVM Sastry & Anasuya.
My first memory of Air Marshal PM Ramachandran goes back to December 1980 in Bangalore, where I was posted as a Project Engineer at INAS Integration Organization. The then Group Captain Ramachandran was posted as a Deputy Project Director and a Test Pilot. I have had many fond memories of my association with him. Incidentally he was born at Dholesw...
We had known Air Marshal Ramachandran when they moved into Madhuban Apartment in 2007. The Air Marshal and his wife (late) Lakshmi Ma’am, were one of the finest couples that we had ever met. Soft spoken and always willing to lead and help others, he was humane and simple in his way of life of highest values. We learnt a lot from him. His humility...
Air Marshal Ramachandran, more fondly known as Ramu Sir, was the father figure of the Flight testing world in the country. With his sad demise, the nation has lost not only a top-notch aviation professional but also the finest among officers and the gentlest among human beings. My earliest memories date back to circa 1986 when he was the AOC, A F...
It would be always Ramu Mama and Lakshmi Mami to me. I came to know this wonderful couple when I first joined work with IFCI in Delhi. My father (K Subramanian) and his sister's husband, Padmanabhan Uncle were friends from Tuticorin from 1953. His son Murali gave my father Ramu Mama's number. That's how I met Mama and Mami. I used to visit them dur...
When we think of Ramu and Lakshmi we are instantly drawn to the warm memories of our life in Bangalore till we relocated to Madikeri in Kodagu. Their friendship we could depend on. Ramu's quiet, steadfast, gentle ways ans Lakshmi's effervescent nature complimented each other. They were generous to a fault and it was always an open house they kept...
I remember Ramu Uncle and Laxmi Auntie with such fondness -- two distinguished, cultured individuals who yet radiated such warmth and unforced generosity and kindness. Laxmi Auntie was always the livewire, while Ramu Uncle was a quieter presence, but it was clear how well-matched they were and how much they adored each other. I always found it hard...
I have interacted with Ramu Sir,when he was an Air Cmde,an AVM and as the VCAS.His presence was marked by,a calm demeanour,wisdom and a willingness to listen to youngsters expressing themselves freely without fear or favour.He made me feel comfortable and after listening to me,would calmly and without hurting,explain the nuances of decisions taken ...
It's hard to believe that both Ramu Uncle and Lakshmy Aunty have passed away within a year. Spent some incredible childhood years in both Delhi and Jodhpur, which have left memories of a lifetime for me. They treated me like a son and that association continued long after those 2 stints. I remember in Jodhpur when Ramu Uncle spent some time enc...
I was fortunate to meet Air Marshal Ramachandran in Coimbatore in the early 1990s after I retired from the Navy. We grew close to each other as the years went by and remained in touch even after Lakshmi and he relocated to Chennai. I must say that he was one of the finest human beings I have ever met. The fond memories of the time spent with thi...
I first met Air Marshal Ramachandran in February 1976, when I was doing No 5 Production Test Pilots (PTP) course. He was posted in as OC Test Pilot school, with a mandate of starting Experimental Test Pilots (ETP) course in India in the shortest possible time. That time ASTE operated from a single hanger rented from HAL, with very little infrastruc...
Air Marshal was like my elder brother. I had been fortunate to have had a long association with him in Air Force which no technical officer would have had. (Six years in Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE)and Seven years in INAS Integration Organisation (IIO)) At ASTE, he was in charge of theTest Pilots School which had just started ...
We met Air Marshal Ramachandran at Delhi and later in Coimbatore where he had settled down. He gave us some sound advice about where to settle down.I remember we were struck by his strict avoidance of drinks and smoke, shattering the myth that all flyers have to drink to encourage comeraderie. Here was a man who did the right thing, was not keen to...
It is indeed very difficult to come to terms with the fact that I will never see Ramu Mama and Lakshmi Mami again. Ramu Mama's contribution to the growth of the sabha 'Nadasurabhi' in Bangalore cannot be understated and I got to know him first when he was spearheading this organisation. I will forever cherish his reply and blessing when I wrote to ...
I first met Air Marshal during his niece Radhika's wedding in 1997. I was instantly attracted to him as IAF had been my dream when I was in the college. Incidentally my son in law Govind is Ramu's nephew. After a few meetings in family functions we met again after a gap during his second niece Rohita's wedding. I spent a long time sitting next to ...
I was fortunate to meet Air Marshal in Coimbatore regarding some Taxation Issues. I Must say that he was one of finest human beings I have ever met. It’s time to commemorate the life of a wonderful person who blessed us with so many beautiful memories.
TS Balan Document received from Sr Radha of Carmelite Monastery, Mumbai.