MY MEMORIES ABOUT VISWANATH 

            The demise of Digumarti Viswanath at Kothagudem on the 6 th July came as an upsetting news to all of us in different well related other family members like Undurtis,Varahagiris, Mallimadugulas,Damerlas,Pusuluris and many others.My relationship with him was not only a very near family relationship, but a very close contact right from our child hood days.If I remember right, we were always in close touch right from 1935 when I was 5 years old. He was born in 1927-28 and I was born in 1930. We used to meet along with our other brothers at either Srikakulam or our common birth place Berhampur or in any other places where my father was in service as an Overseer in R & B.These places were all nearby Srikakulam.When my father was transferred to Srikakulam,we lived almost together for nearly 5 years.That was the grandest time for us in all respects.I and my elder brother,Das and three of them Siva rao,Simham & Viswanath used to move together and in Srikakulam town we were titled as" Panchapandavulu." 

            Myself and Viswanath were together for 2 years in vizianagaram where  we had our College education.It was a grand time. We came together in our  views with regard to our future lives,our obligations with regard to our families,Society in general and our general contribution to Political upliftment in Independent India. Right from the beginning he became closer to Marxist principles and he stuck to them very closely till the last. He pioneered a few Trade Unions akin to Marxist principles in Srikakulam and played a prominent role in that line.He ran a well organised School in his Home Town Srikakulam and ran it for several years.His wife,Kamala garu was herself a communist, helped him in all respects and they both were an exemplary couple.Viswanath was very studious in his school and college studies in Srikakulam,Berhampur and  Vizianagaram also.Because of his merit he was selected for admission in B.Tech,Electronics in M.I.T.Madras.Unfortunately because of his ill health he could not continue his studies in Madras and came away to Srikakulam to Choose his own future career.

           To put in short,Viswanath was a learned teacher,voracious reader,Trade unionist,Socialist and an activist.Apart from all his basic good characters,he was a very good friend to all in our families and a loveable person.

           I can never forget my close association with him during his life time.May his soul rest in peace.

U.S.Murty(Suribabu)                                   5  pm.   9th July 2013
Bargarh

Odisa