We have known Vasu for more than 35 years, and across all these years, certain qualities have defined him with remarkable consistency — courage, clarity, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to people, especially children. 

One of our earliest memories goes back to college. A visiting professor from the US made an insensitive remark about our way of life in India. The room fell silent — even our teachers were unsure how to respond. It was Vasu who stood up and articulated what all of us felt. His courage gave our HOD the confidence to speak as well. That moment captured the essence of who he was, even as a student.

When we joined MSW, Vasu was in his second year. Being a small cohort, we all knew one another well, and working together for the state-level Social Work conference brought many of us even closer. His beautiful Kannada handwriting, his clarity of thought and confidence in speech are things we still remember. Later, during an evening law degree, we (Vasu and Manjunath) walked out of an examination hall together, as an act of protest and resistance, when mass-copying was openly encouraged! 

He was the one who found himself resolving conflicts; between students, faculty, or authorities. That early capacity for mediation and principled engagement has only deepened, allowing Vasu to take on issues at a larger scale and with greater impact.

Though our career paths diverged, Vasu remained close. Our mother / mother-in-law, Indu Ramesh, drew on his flair for Kannada and his oratory skills when she headed AIR Bangalore, involving him in several programmes. True to his passion for children, he applied to run the children’s programme, only to be denied because he was a man, another example of the biases he has quietly and consistently pushed against. Instead he anchored several programmes for the youth and conducted interviews and quiz for the rural youth.

Over the decades, he has been a steadfast ally in our lives; compering our events, introducing our books, and supporting us in ways both visible and invisible. We have proudly read his books and columns, watched him influence policy as a committed child-rights activist, and seen him serve with integrity in bodies like KSAPSW and INPSWA. 

Vasu remains one of the rare, unwavering champions of children’s rights. Consistently reminding society that children are not merely “tomorrow’s citizens” but individuals who deserve dignity, attention, and justice today.

Congratulations to Vasu on reaching 60 meaningful years. We wish him continued strength, health and happiness, for himself, his family and for the cause he has devoted his life to.