MADURAI: (Today, on November 11th 2024, we are reproducing an article written by journalist Shastry V Mallady from Madurai about Dr.H.V.Hande in the February 2022 issue of his ‘CoverPoint’ magazine after speaking to the nonagenarian leader who was then 95 years-old, sorry young, but still dynamic today as always. The following was the cover story published two years ago with the caption ‘MGR’s right ‘HANDE’) to convey that he was the right hand for MGR.
FULL ARTICLE BY SHASTRY V MALLADY:
“Dr.H.V.Hande is now 95. Born in 1927, he was Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister in the MGR government and played an important role when ‘Puratchi Thalaivar’ was hospitalised in 1985 and undergoing treatment. CoverPoint’ spoke to him on 17th January 2022 and that conversation he recalled the chierished memories with MGR and also narrated a few personal expereiences from his book ‘The Critical Years of an Immortal Legend’ when MGR was in hospital. Dr.Hande is the founder of Hande Hospital in Chennai…”
On 17th January 2022, I received a whatsapp message from Dr.H.V.Hande in which he said “Today is the birthday of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. Having had the privilege of being in his cabinet, I would always cherish MGR’s golden rule in Tamil Nadu from 1977 TO 1987”.
An immediate phone call to him to know more about his days with MGR as a Minister and an important lieutenant in the government had resulted in a 45-minute recall of a few interesting and important moments of the days of late M.G.Ramachandran when he was the Chief Minister.
“MGR was a master in delegation of work to right persons. He goes into the details of each issue and knows how to get the work done. His magnetic personality and charisma attracted people towards him. His non-confrontational approach was a highlight in public life. MGR was like my elder brother,” Dr.Hande says speaking to ‘CoverPoint’ Shastry V Mallady in January 2022.
An example he cites about the power of MGR that helped lakhs of people of then Madras, now Chennai, is the Telugu Ganga water project that brought drinkig water to the thirsty city. “It was in 1983, NTR came to Madras after he became Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh to take blessings and wishes of MGR. Since I met NTR already once earlier, MGR sent me to the airport to receive NTR. I went and receive dhim, NTR came to Ramavaram….I spoke to him in chaste Telugu. A breakfast was arranged by MGR for his good friend NTR,” recalls Dr.Hande.
IN FIVE MINUTES:
Both the legends were having breakfast and it was then NTR asked his old friend after seeing the great hospitality….‘annayyagaru, edhuku idhellam pandringa?” Casually MGR said ‘I want water from Krishna river for Madras.” Immediately N.T.Rama Rao made a phone call to Hyderabad from MGR’s house itself and the whole thing was over before the breakfast was completed. Madras got the water.’
Dr.Hande also mentioned this in his book ‘The Critical Years of Immortal Legend’ where he says that the Telugu Ganga project to supply drinking water for Madras city was cleared in just five minutes at MGR’s residence thanks to the excellent rapport between MGR and NTR.
The nonagenarian medical practitioner and former Health Minister says that MGR was at absolute ease in solving inter-State and Centre-State issues due to his ‘charismatic bearing’ and it was shown in the ties he maintained with New Delhi and political relationship with Indira Gandhi.
‘I SPOKE TO INDIRA GANDHI’:
Dr.Hande narrates a few instance of the 80s of how MGR sent him to Delhi “as I was chosen as the person to convey a message to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’ after attending the Health Ministers conference in the national capital.
“See, he was always for good ties with the Centre. What happened in the 1980 elections and after that is an important part of our State’s political history. Thigh faring badly in Parliament elections, MGR bounced back in Assembly polls…..When I was in Delhi, Amethi election result came the same day and top Congress Govt Ministers were there. Zail Singh was the Union Home Minister. After talking to Moopanar and M.L.Fotedar, I wanted to meet Mrs.Gandhi. She asked me whether MGR is her friend or foe,” Dr.Hande narrated.
I told Mrs.Indira Gandhi that MGR is your friend from today. She agreed to come for the Madurai conference and I was in Madurai for arrangements, Dr.Hande says.
TURBULENT PERIOD:
In his 100-page book on MGR, Dr.Hande wrote about the turbulent period October-November 1984, when MGR was undergoing treatment in Apollo Hospital in Madras and later taken to Brooklyn Hospital in Newyork. Dr.Palani G.Periasamy, who wrote the foreword for this book, writes about two-time Health Minister Dr.Hande helping in managing the successful treatment of ‘Puratchi Thalaivar’.
The book mentions how MGR suddenly became giddy on 15th September 1984 in Thanjavur where a function was held in Brihadeeswarar Temple and Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi was present. “MGR’s family physician Dr.B.R.Subramaniam was present there. A blood sample was taken and tested. To our shock, the blood urea and creatinine were very high and then started the health problems of our leader MGR.”
The, Dr.Hande writes in his book: “Twenty days later, on 5th October MGR developed respiratory distress at Ramavaram Garden residence. He was shifted to Apollo Hospital….and his kidney function got severely damaged. The State Assembly was in session at that time and as Ministers Dr.Navalar Nedunchezhiyan, myself and others took instructions from MGR who was mentally alert. I got a phone call from MGR’s PA Mr.Moorthy informing me that the CM had lost consciousness. I myself drve to the Apollo and Mrs.Janaki was weeping.”
What happened during the month of November 1984 was recorded by Dr.Hande in the book with details of MGR shifted to New York physicians….and expert doctors of Brooklyn Hospital were attending to MGR, haemodialysis was done on 7th November 1984. On 16th November, MGR saw a film there ‘Panam Padaithvan.’
MGR’S NOMINATION PAPERS:
After kidney treatment and when he was under medical care in New York, the Lok Sabha elections were announced in India and Tamil Nadu opted to have simultaneous elections for the Assembly also.
“It was decided by the AIADMK top leaders that MGR will contest from Andipatti and the nomination papers were to be sent from Tamil Nadu to New York and returned after duly filled. I was assigned the task of completing the formalities for MGR’s candidature,” Dr.Hande had written in the book.
“On 20th November, MGR put his thumb impression on the nomination papers sitting in Brooklyn Hospital. Mrs.Janaki told MGR that Hande is returning to Madras with his nomination papers. I touched the feet of MGR, tears flowed from the eyes of both. I left New York with the nomination papers signed by MGR in my bag,” the book narrates.
Writing a few sentences on that important period, Dr.Hande says, “As the plane was cruising in the sky, I felt as if I was the Hanuman- messenger of Lord Rama- flying south with ‘Sanjeevani’ and the rest is history. (The write-up by journalist Shastry V Mallady from Madurai in February 2022.)
