April 17, 2007 Shocked Family to go
to US
for Indian Professor's Last Rites
Erode (Tamil Nadu)
Slain Indian professor G.V. Loganathan, who was among the 33 killed
in a gory shooting spree at Virginia Tech University campus, wanted
to come back to India next year. Now, his parents and brothers,
still reeling with shock over his death, are preparing to go to the
US Wednesday to attend his last rites.
The 51-year-old professor, who taught at the university's department
of civil and environmental engineering, belonged to Tamil Nadu's
textile town of Coimbatore.
"The family is in a state of shock and disbelief," the professor's
brother G.V. Palanivel told the media at Gobichettipalayam town in
Erode district, 550 km from Chennai.
Loganathan had last chatted with his family in India on Sunday, the
day after the Tamil new year.
His 78-year old mother, Kannammal, was inconsolable. "I have lost my
brightest son at this advanced age. Instead of visiting me, death
has called on my son, two continents away."
"He was an inspiration for us," said Palanivel, 45, the youngest of
four brothers.
Professor Loganathan has been in the USA for 30 years and had last
visited India two years ago, Palanivel said.
"He wanted to be back in India next year," he said.
"My brother wanted his last rites to be performed in Virginia. And
in keeping with his wishes, nine members of the family are going to
the US for the last rites," Palanivel told IANS.
The parents will be accompanied by three brothers, their wives and
Loganathan's father-in-law.
Some of the family members do not have passports. It is being
arranged for with the help of the district administration, one of
the brothers said.
"First we wanted the body to be flown out to India, but we have now
changed our mind," said G. Vasudevan, the 83-year-old father.
"We usually cremate our dead, but I hope that the authorities in the
US respect my son's wishes to have his last rites in the US," said
the retired government official.
Asked whether Ministry of External Affairs has extended any
assistance to the family, Palanivel said: "We have not heard
anything from them so far. It is only through the media that we have
been told that they are prepared to help us."
Loganathan is survived by wife Usha, and two daughters Uma and
Abhirami. The family lives on the campus in Blacksburg.
The professor did his Bachelor of Engineering from Madras University
in 1978 and B. Tech from the PSG College of Technology in
Coimbatore. He then did his M. Tech at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Kanpur, in 1978.
He did his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1982 and had been living
in the US since 1977. Loganathan taught hydraulics, hydrology, water
resources, engineering and biological systems engineering. He had
been teaching in the US for 30 years.
Loganathan was known as an outstanding teacher and received several
awards. He was also lauded for his teaching abilities.
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