Hyderabad : Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) paid rich tributes to KV Rajagopal, a multi-talented former Indian Railways Service official, who passed away at the age of 97 in Bangalore on March 10. He is survived by two daughters and their families.
Addressing a virtual condolence meeting organised by the PRSI-Hyderabad chapter on Monday, the PRSI national president Dr Ajit Pathak said that Railways, PR profession and sports filed lost a jewel with the passing away of Rajagopal. “He carved a niche for himself as a thorough professional and a super human-being,” Dr Pathak said while recollecting KV Rajagopal’s contribution to the PRSI as its chairman of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh from 1983 to 85.
Representing the South-Central Railways, Shakeel Ahmed, Senior PRO, SCR on deputation to RLDA/SC as Deputy GM, said that Rajagopal was known for sharing his love and affection towards every employee in the organisation. “We can’t forget officers like him. He lives in the minds of everyone they met with,” he observed. Rajesh Kalyana, Railways PRO and one of the PRSI EC members, spoke about the everlasting impact created by Rajagopal as an official during his stint here. “Till today, Railways athletes remember him for the outstanding support extended by him,” he said.
Rajagopal’s daughter Priya Srinivasan said that PRSI had a special place in the heart of her father. The PRSI-Hyderabad chapter chairman Dr S.Ramu listed out Rajagopal’s achievements as the PRSI AP chairman. The PRSI General Secretary Y.Babji, the Amaravati Chairman BVR Naidu, the Hyderabad women’s wing convenor Dr K.Anitha and others also spoke. The participants observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Born on the 16th of September 1926 in Berhampur Ganjam, which was then part of the erstwhile Madras Presidency, but is now in Odisha, Rajagopal qualified for the Civil Services through the UPSC and joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service. He worked in various capacities on the Indian Railways in Assam, West Bengal Bihar and New Delhi where he served in the Ministry of Railways, as Joint Director including a stint in the Army HQ as Joint Director, Military Movements. During this period, he was deputed to the USA for a 6-month Fellowship under the United Nations Development Programme for a study of Transport Pricing.
He was later transferred to the South Central Railway, Secunderabad, from where he retired in 1984, as Chief Traffic Planning Manager. After retirement from the Railways, he served as a Consultant to Godavari Fertilisers & Chemicals, for 9 years, before finally calling it a day.
After the loss of his journalist wife to cancer, Rajagopal moved to Bangalore in 1995 to be with his second daughter and her family. His elder daughter who is a doctor lives in the USA with her family. He was actively involved in social work. He was an active member of Helping Hand, an NGO for which he worked as a volunteer for 15 years at the Bowring Hospital where he used to spend half a day every week helping poor patients.
