Remembering late M.K. Bhaskaran, IAS (Retd.)

Thiruvananthapuram :  Bhaskaran, IAS was a Karma Yogi who blended authority with gentleness. He was the
District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram and had served Santhigiri Ashram as its first General Manager.

“Daily collection from all branches should come to the Central Office, collection should be remitted to the bank on the same day and salary should be sent as per payroll. There should be centralized governance. Only then decentralisation will be effective. Each ashram branch should not act as isolated islands that cannot be approached by anyone. Accurate information should be collected about those serving in the Ashram.”

When the new Incharge, M.K. Bhaskaran, IAS said this, we all looked at each other and laughed as if something was out of the ordinary. This was not something that could be thought of according to the then ashram style of work. I had an opportunity to work under Bhaskaran sir in Ayurveda Vaidyasala from 1998 to 2000. When I joined the Brahmachari Sangham, I naturally took up the responsibilities.

I was influenced by his thoughts when he spoke to me sitting in his cabin. It led to the so-called “centralization” of Santhigiri Ashram in 2008, an administrative change that was much criticised. But today its benefits are evident in all areas.

Later, his eldest son-in-law D. Pradeep Kumar joined my office and is making the administration more creative. Bhaskaran sir was a perfect Gurubhakta, and a man of finer qualities. When this mild-mannered man was brought to the administrative set up of Guru’s Ashram, his sober interventions gave new benchmarks to Santhigiri Ayurveda Vaidyashala.

There was a situation where an important person who was in charge of the Ayurveda & Siddha Vaidyashala had to be transferred to the Ashram. It was in the year 1998. One day Guru called all the members of the Ayurveda Siddha Vaidyashala to “Kettidom ” (Guru’s building) and spoke.

“He was a Collector. He is an IAS man. All of you must obey everything that is said.” Guru told them.

So Bhaskaran, IAS took charge as the General Manager of Santhigiri Ayurveda Siddha Vaidyashala. Guru wanted to utilize his experience as District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram.

Sri Bhaskaran was born in 1933 as the son of late Kunju and Narayani in Kottayam Kattururthi. After completing his local education in Kattururthi, he did his higher studies at NSS College, Changanassery. Started his career as Tehsildar in State Revenue Department. In 1959, he got married to K. Lakshmi, a native of Kattururthi. While in service, he got an opportunity to serve as a private secretary to two state ministers – E.John Jacob, who was the Minister of Food and Public Distribution, and the Minister of Health and Electricity, K. P. Prabhakaran. This period amply proved his work excellence.

Then in 1982 he got I.A.S. He served as Thiruvananthapuram District Collector from November 7, 1984 to September 30, 1986. He had also served as the Director of Employment and Training Department and Social Welfare Department. He retired from service as Managing Director of State Co-operative Bank.

His family reached the Ashram through D M Kishore, Retd. Additional Commissioner of Rural Development, who is a devotee of Guru. He is s native of Kollam Ezhukon and His younger brother D Pradeep Kumar, who was General Manager of FACT, married Dr. B Ushakumari, the elder daughter of Bhaskaran sir. In 1995, Bhaskaran sir came to meet the Guru for the first time. A medical surgery was to be performed on him. The doctors did not guarantee that he would regain consciousness after the surgery. Later this operation was successfully performed with a local anesthesia as per Guru’s instructions. I remember when he had a heart attack in 1998, a special prayer was conducted at the Ashram to overcome the condition.

From time to time, Guru involved many eminent persons in the management of the Ashram and by using their experiences, he took the movement forward through his grace and mercy. Guru appreciated their performance. The administrative structure, organisational set up and action plans of the Ashram seen today are the continuation of the vision by the important persons who entered the official arena at various times.

I noticed Bhaskaran sir’s eyes get filled with tears when he spoke about Guru. All four of his sons are working in various service wings of the Ashram today. On this year’s Sannyasa Deeksha anniversary, his grandsons Aravind and Bhaktapriyan were dedicated to the Brahmachari Sangam, before the death of this guru-devotee. He was overjoyed to learn that his grandsons had become bramcharis. He goes to the eternal abode of Guru with a mind of fulfillment.

Children: Dr. Ushakumari B (Retd. Additional Director, Kerala Health Services), Shaji B (Convener, Santhigiri Vishwa Sanskarika Navothana Kendram), Manilal B (Department of Agriculture, Santhigiri Ashram), Minimol B (AGM-Accounts, Santhigiri Ashram Ernakulam Area) Son-in-law : D. Pradeep Kumar, Rtd. General Manager FACT, A. Supriya, Coordinator, Santhigiri Mathrumandalam, K.B. Mahita, Santhigiri Siddha Medical College, Anil KS, Rtd.Joint Registrar, Kerala High Court. Grandchildren: Brahmachari Arvind P., Dr. Gayatri P., Brahmachari Bhaktapriyan S., jnanamithran M.

Prayers and tributes to his auspicious memory.

Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapasvi General Secretary, Santhigiri Ashram