Everyone in Kerala knew Dr. PK Varrier. Many people in India and selected people across the globe knew him too. As an ayurveda physician and head of THE true Ayurveda therapy institution, the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala (KAVS), he had treated Presidents, Prime ministers, Monarchs and many Heads of the nations. Who could claim such an unique distinction?
My first connect with him was when Kerala Management Association decided to bestow him with its prestigious Management Leadership in 2002. I had the privilege of drafting his citation and reading it out at the award function. The award was given away to him by the then Speaker of Kerala Assembly, Vakkom Purushothaman.
An year later, I was invited to his organisation to deliver a keynote in ‘Information Technology in Business’. He was there to listen to it with all senior managers of the organisation. It didn’t stop at that, I was again invited to speak to the Board of Trustees of KAVS, headed by Justice Paripoornan, at BTH Sarovaram, Kochi, on why IT is important to KAVS. Post that, KVS started the computerisation there at the right earnest.
Much later, in 2010, I had the pleasure of meeting him again at his office, when KAVS decided to go in for ERP, a project headed by Dr Murali (such a gem of an individual), his close relative, who holds a doctorate in Physics and was a scientist at TIFR Mumbai, after his superannuation came to serve KAVS.
My last direct interaction with him was when I called him personally to get an appointment with him for the Admin. Officer of TiE:Kerala, who was having acute asthma challenges. Not only that he gave it but also he treated her personally and looked after like his own daughter (it required longer term treatment)
He could be many things to many people; a freedom fighter, a doctor, a lover and preserver of art (particularly Kathakali), an institution builder or an industrialist but he will ever be remembered for his positive approach to life and love for fellow beings.
He lived a 100 years, seen and done it all. Left us to join the creator. May his noble soul rest in eternal peace! Goodbye Sir!
Prayers 🙏
