Shri. Ramachandran G. Sastry, known to many as "Ram", was a wonderful, kind and intense person. He was one of the most "giving' persons I have met. Unlike many, he never sat in judgment on others; and rarely wasted time in endless analyses of what could have motivated somebody to do or not to do something. A true "Karma Veera", he just kept on doing his best for them, on and on, like the proverbial energizer bunny. A great devotee and an eternal student of Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, he led the life of selfless giving, with nothing expected in return.

I first met him in 1980, when I was a freshly arriving new student in the US. As soon as they came to know that I was a Sangh Swayamsevak, Ram, and his elder brother, Shri. Mani Mama, quickly became one of my closest families. Ram would give me rides, to and fro from the downtown LA Greyhound Bus station, to his home in San Fernando valley region, in dense traffic; and at all sorts of odd hours, sometimes well past midnight.
He would give me food, make arrangements for my stay, and allow me unlimited use of his phone, so I could reach out to other Swayamsevaks and their families. He would actively encourage me and work with me, in putting together many Sangh Utsawasas. With always a bright smile on his face, Ram worked very hard, and inspired me as well as many others as to how a Swayamsevak should lead his life.

As a young and hot blooded person, sometimes, I would differ with Ram on small things, and we would argue hotly for some time. But very soon, he would forget it all, and the big friendly smile would return to his face. With him, all was forgiven in no time flat! It takes a truly saintly mindset to live like him, and very few others I know have it.
He had a deeply sensitive, emotional side as well. Tears came to his eyes when one day, he told somebody in an otherwise hot argument, that it is a lucky Hindu home that gets to host and feed a Sangh karyakarta, and a Pracharak and he felt he was lucky that God gave him such opportunities. Small wonder then, that we used to say: "All roads traveled by Swayamsevaks lead to the home of Ram!".

All of us Swayamsevaks in LA area who are from that era, will never forget Ram. He may have left us in physical body, but he will live forever in our hearts.

Vijay G. Ruikar
7/23/2016