It was a privilege attending the Anniversary Celebration remembering our great friend Dr Harigopal. I was fortunate to him in his last days whilst in hospital. As part of celebration of Harigopal’s life, I would like to share my happy memories.  I have met Harigopal for the first time in 1967 in Andhra Mahila Sabha in Hyderabad while participating in Mock Assembly. He was Leader of Opposition and I was in the same group. I was impressed by his wit and eloquence in his speech in Telugu. Just to quote an example—-. ……”మన ఆంధ్ర రాష్ట్రానికి పొరుగు మద్రాస్ రాష్ట్రం. వారికి బియ్యం చాలా తరుగు. అయినా వారి పరిస్థితి మెరుగు!మన మంత్రిగారు నూకల రామచంద్రా రెడ్డి గారు అయితే మనరాష్ట్రంలో బియ్యం కాదుగదా నూకలు కూడా సరిపడా లేని దుస్థితి”. We both came to UK and met socially in 1970s few times. Later we all got busy with exams, careers etc and lost touch. We came in contact again 1996 through Dr Dhanam “Dhanujaya Rao” Kandula, European Telugu Association, Sree Rama Navami etc activities. He realised that I came from his native district Khammam and we made strong bond in so many ways. We all had many an occasion enjoying each others company. His jokes and joke-telling is legendary! …

I worked for Dr Hari Gopal and Dr Lakshmi, many years ago at Philip Clarke Medical Centre, what can i say, well, I enjoyed working there and he was always there to help me, i started as a receptionist and he obviously saw a ‘little bit of potential ‘ as he encouraged me to train as Practice Manager, and he pushed and guided me through that. The one thing i loved about him was his sense of humour….when he was in a good mood…but when he wasn’t…you stayed out of his way. I found him and Lakshmi very caring doctors,  but he had no time for people wasting his time. God Bless you Hari ( i can call him that now, cos he’s not here to tell me off!) Rest well on your next journey.  XX …

Only a few leave a lasting impact on others around them and Hari Gopal is one of them with his kind and helping nature….

When i was deputed to Birmingham under Colombo plan for a year to do Masters in Social Sciences, in 1988 it was Gopal who welcomed me n my little son Shawn to his home. He was hospitable, kind n generous with a welcoming smile with a lot of jokes n fun to go with. Lakshmi was too good, taking us out on week ends with their children. Shawn had a great company with Kashyap n Lahari. And I found a friend in Lakshmi. I remember when we both were sick in winter season, Gopal n Lakdhmi took us into their home n took care of us. I can never ever repay all that kindness.  Let his soul rest in peace.  Love to Lakshmi n children.  Shanthi Sunder   …

My first interaction with Dr Hari Gopal garu was in the year 1999 when I came to Birmingham for my MBA studies in the UoB. He sent his friend to pick me up from the airport and made me stay with in his house till such time I could find my rented accommodation. He gifted me his leather coat which unfortunately was stolen in the University after a month or so. He also loaned his telephone system as long as I was in the City. When my family joined, he was always there to make us comfortable. He often used to invite us to his residence for meals and stay, whenever it was mutually convenient. He hosted my parents when they came visiting us. Even after I completed my studies and returned back to India, he was in regular touch. Often, he used to visit us in Delhi when he was in town. When my son was getting married in Hyderabad, he offered his vacant but furnished flat there to us for use.  Madam Dr Lakshmi garu and their children were as affectionate as Dr Hari Gopal garu, throughout our stay in Birmingham. We miss Dr Hari Gopal garu…

Harigopal Uncle is a man of affection and brought telugu people together. He is practical in religious matters and always had  sense humour discussing any topic . A genuine well wisher to our family. A tall figure in our community left a void which cannot be  filled ….

Dear Gopalgaru, I first met you in 1996, when I was immediately taken by how, one is instantly homely, affectionate and felt the laughter in your presence. Then …. Lakshmigaru and you took me in as your eldest child, became England parents to Ravi and I, performed Grandad duties towards Vinisha and Vipanchi. You met many of our close and extended friends and families from Khammam and Hyderabad, who are very well aware of your historical, famous and legendary father Jamalapuram Keshava Rao garu. We had the privilege of meeting all your siblings, spouses, cousins and offsprings, all local friends and acquaintaces and many international ones too. My girls grew up with Lahari as their kind big sister, Kashyap as their ‘Menamama’, … feeling a part of a bigger family. We are ever so grateful for all your help and kindness. Gopalgaru … Thankyou especially, for showering so much affection on us. I was probably the last person to see you off at home on that friday night, before your last journey to the hospital with Lakshmigaru and Kashyap on that saturday morning when others joined you. Since your Final jouney on Monday, the 18th of November, I have…

My dear friend  Dr Gopal and Dr samrajya lakshmi are our family friends. Lakshmi’s father Dr P Thirumala Rao is family friend and family paediatrician while he was in Madras. We used visit Gopal and Lakshmi in Birmingham and spend lot of time when ever it is possible. I am very sad to hear untimely death of my dear friend. We have many fond memories of time spent with him. May his soul rest  in peace   …

We have known Gopal from the day I landed in UK in 1983. Both Viswanathan and myself have had the pleasure of being in a long standing friendship with Gopal. He was a wonderful human being willing to always help his friends. Writing about him is like gathering an ocean of goodness into a small glass. No words can describe his help and association in our lives. Our sincere condolences to his loving family. May God bless his soul. A true stalwart in the Telugu community of Uk….

Hari-Gopal, Sudhaker and I met in 1959, when we enrolled in Keshev Memorial High School. We were initially interested in Engineering and were opting to major in Math and physics. The school was short of staff and lacking a math teacher. We were all bunched together with biology major students. Over a month all three of us bonded and did not want to go to math and physics, when a new math teacher was hired. The rest is history. Since we’re all three of us we’re vertically challenged, teacher made us sit in the front row. It also happened that we three shared top three spots in every exam over the next four years. We graduated in 1963 with first class at state finals. All three of us had grades to join medical school but had to sit out a year, as were under age, and were accepted in 1964.  All through High School , after hours we met mostly at Sudhaker’s and sometimes Hari’s house. Hari’s sisters were always hospitable.  Both of their mothers treated as an extra sons. They were fun times. After medical school I went to US, Sudhaker and Hari went to UK. Both of…

My friendship with Harigopal started in 1964, when I joined medical school. I used to tke a bus ride from Nallakunta and he took the same ride at an earlier stop. He came to me in class ad said we should be in one friendship group. From then on Harigopal, Saibaba, Naren and Sudhakar became close knit group. There were other friends as well. We had wonderful times in college. After classes, we used to hang out at local tea place and shoot breeze. Harigopal single handedly was responsible for cohesiveness of our friendship. He always was very friendly and politically motivated. He dragged me to a college political meeting between our medical school and a rival school. Of course, he was the main vocal person during the meeting. Once, we decided to go to Tirupathi. Above picture is right after Harigopal had his head shaven and Naren and I were next in line. There were many experiences we had with Harigopal I could share but the space limits me. He had a good heart and invited us to come to England several times, as recently as a month ago. He was proud of his father, a freedom fighter….

Babu tata was truly a kind soul bringing joy to those around him with his wonderful sense of humor.  My memory of him will always be that of a vibrant, full-of-life individual who was always surrounded by friends and family. His kindness, humor, and warmth will never be forgotten. He will be deeply missed and will remain forever in our hearts….

Our family’s association with Gopal Uncle was through my Father. Sri PVRK Prasad and Gopika Prasad. He was one of the several IAS officers that Kashyap mentioned during his Eulogy that Uncle helped. Their association started 40-45 years ago. Lakshmi Aunty and Gopal Uncle helped my parents navigate their stay in England. We got to know Kashyap and Lahari over the years. My mother remembered that La was born when they were in England. They were kind enough to help my brother Sanjeev thru his studies in England. We will forever remember him for his great jokes, wonderful food he would cook and kind heart to make all of us feel special and at home. There are several memories that come to me as I write this. Not sure where to begin. My vivid memories of Uncle that stand out are, as soon as I got into Medical school in India, he was of the first one to visit me and give me a Littmann stethoscope. I can never forget the joy he brought me with that kind gesture. As I was flying to USA for my residency interview, Uncle insisted I stop over at Birmingham. Aunty bought my…

A deep sense of shock and sadness filled in as the tragic news of the demise of Mavayyagaru reached us. The reality is yet to sink in even as a myriad memories of his vibrant personality waft in. Known for his avuncular affection, amazing zest for life and altruistic attitude  to extend help, Mavayyagaru brought cheer into many lives he touched.  Always a go-to person for everyone in the family for every occasion cutting across all age groups, he leaves a wonderful memory of his goodness  in everyone. A regular phone call from him to enquire  the well-being of our families,a text message to share a joke or to give his feedback on a particular discourse are now going to be a memory is difficult to take in. Our prayer as we watched him a few minutes before he left us was to keep   good people like him live longer and healthier. But God has different plans for Mavayyagaru in Heaven.    …