HYDERABAD: Hours before former principal secretary P Subramanyam’s death along with former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in the helicopter crash last year, his wife Margaret Subramanyam expressed concern over his air travel as the climate was adverse. “Nothing will happen as the helicopter in which I am going is a sophisticated one,” was the reply from Subramanyam.
Hours after this last conversation, the last word Margaret Subramanyam heard from her husband was ‘Bye’ before going to the airport. But to her shock that was an adieu forever as her apprehension turned true.
One year after the sudden demise of Subramanyam, his family feels neglected as they did not get any legitimate support from the state government, including the monthly pension. Though the family members are managing themselves financially, they have a deep regret that they did not get proper recognition from the government.
“Friends and relatives give us the moral support. We were given Rs 10 lakh immediately after the accident and a job has been assured for my daughter after she completes her graduation. But we didn’t get the promised plot and pension,” Margaret Subhramanyam told Express. She recalled her husband as a very confident person, who always went out of the way to help the needy.
Incidentally, both Subramanyam and his wife met the other victim of the helicopter crash, chief security officer (CSO) ASC Wesley, and his family members at a party the day before the accident. “Both our families have been in touch as we both share the same pain. Since my husband and Wesley were working in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), our families knew each other,” Margaret Subhramanyam said adding their lives became ‘dark ‘ after the helicopter crash.
Meanwhile, special programmes to pay homage to Subramanyam will be held in Nellore district tomorrow.
Members of P Subramanyam Memorial Trust, in a press release, said the loss of the senior IAS officer is a severe setback to Andhra Pradesh. The 1983 batch officer had rich experience in varied fields like rural development, education, social welfare and revenue. Subrahmanyam also served the United Nations Organisation in Bangladesh, Malaysia and United Kingdom.
“Subramanyam was a dedicated, committed and honest officer. He was also a social thinker who used to undertake several programs for development of the poor in his personal capacity,” trust president Panabaka Krishnaiah said.
