The news of the passing away of National Investigation Agency’s first Director-General, Radha Vinod Raju came as a shock to all those who knew him well. D.R. Kaarthikeyan’s tribute (June 22) was very informative. As a batchmate of Radha Vinod Raju, I knew him not merely as an enthusiastic IPS probationer at the Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, but also as a person who possessed many endearing virtues.
I first met him in 1975 on the campus of the Academy. He was a very good singer. He would render, among other songs, the great Mohammad Rafi pieces, Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj and Chahoonga Mein Tujhe and the Manna Dey song, Poocho Na Kaise Meine Rain Bithayee , mellifluously. He also loved the Tamil classic, Alai Paayudhey Kanna . For the “Onam Nite” celebrations, he would train enthusiastically for his solo, Utthara Swayamvaram and for the chorus from Chemmeen , ‘Chaagara Chaagara.’ His full involvement was, however, reserved for his songs for Krishna Leela , in which the role of Radha was played by our batchmate Sindhu Sree Rao Khullar, now Secretary to the Planning Commission. Radha Vinod Raju had a winning smile and a good sense of humour. His qualities won him many friends and admirers.
K. Vijayaraghavan,
Chennai
