Noted social worker, A.R. Venkatesan passed away in his Chamundipuram home Tuesday night after a brief illness. He was 77.
After retiring from Indian Information Service in 1994, A.R. Venkatesan settled down in Mysore and devoted his life to social service. He was an active member of numerous organizations, notably, Mysore Grahakara Parishat, Elder Citizens Council, People for Animals, Central Government Pensioners Association, and Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolan. As a coordinator of CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai, he organized more than 2,000 programmes all over South India including, environmental awareness lectures for school and college children, workshops for teachers and other professionals, seminars on environmental law, film shows, field trips for children, competitions about environmental awareness, etc. He initiated steps to save several "Devara Kaadu"s. He volunteered his service as traffic warden for several years. In addition to his work with organizations, he worked in his individual capacity for numerous charitable causes and for educating needy children.
He leaves behind his wife, two children, two grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. In his death, Mysore has lost a notable contributor to the society at large.