Harigopal and I have been classmates and friends since I was 12. I entered Keshav Memorial High School and his class 9 in June 1959. Our friendship became stronger a year later when he and I chose Biology, Physics and Chemistry as optional subjects.  I used to go to his eldest sister’s house in Barkathpura to prepare for our exams and became a household name in his family and he in my family. I got to know that he was called ‘Babu’ by his family members.

He, Prabhaker Reddy and I resat our 12th Class (A levels in the UK) in 1963, applied to Osmania University to enter the Medical School and we all got selected by a strange coincidence to enter Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad in 1964 and completed our course in 1970.

The attached school phot taken in 1963 shows Babu seated on the floor. Babu is 3rd from the viewer’s right and I am 5th.

I became a household name in Babu’s entire extended family of his cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts and he likewise became a household name in our family and every one in my family is shocked and saddened at his passing.

I visited his native village Yerrupalem and other places his relatives were from including Nelakonda palle, Bhadrachala Ramadasu’s birthplace. Babu was at my wedding in Kothagudem in 1971

Babu came over to the UK in 1974 and I in 1976.

Our families, his and mine had great times together. My children and his are great friends and will continue the legacy of friendship hopefully for generations to come.

L will never forget some of his advice which helped me come through some of my struggles  and the help he provided through his connections.

Babu had a great and wicked sense of humour which I enjoyed and had belly-aching laughs. I wil miss it for ever.