MB#99: 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖.

[MemoirBlogthon #99] This second installment of 𝘼 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 focuses on the emotional core of the reunion: the Voices of Validation. Over the course of the event, family members and well-wishers took the stage to share specific, powerful memories detailing the character and principles of Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry. From the humorous anecdotes inquiring about the government's tender processes to the deep gratitude expressed by the chartered accountant, who still seeks his uncle's wisdom, the testimonials painted a comprehensive portrait of an ethical engineer, a supportive sibling, and a compassionate patriarch whose life lessons—like "never get reactive, be cool"—continue to guide the next generation. This blog shows why the legacy of Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry is worth emulating.

The Heart of the Reunion

HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 23, 2025 — While the previous part in 𝘼 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 detailed the logistical success and formal ceremony of the Centenary Reunion, this part focuses on the indispensable element that defined the gathering: the Voices of Validation. The session, which featured personal stories and profound insights, moved beyond celebration, turning the reunion into an invaluable lesson in heritage and character.

Voices of Validation: Professional Integrity and Humor 🗣️

The program proceeded with heartfelt tributes from close relatives and well-wishers, each speaker validating the profound impact of Sri Sastry's life:

MB#99A: Testimonials: The Engineer and the Mentor

• Sri Bulusu Satyanarayana (Retired Telugu Lecturer): Recited the importance of relationships by invoking the famous Bhatru Kavi and fondly recalled Sastry garu's village visits in his official jeep.

• Sri K.R.K.V. Prasad (Advocate): He delivered an elaborate, humorous speech filled with fascinating episodes from his childhood visits to his maternal uncle, Sri Sastry garu. He remembered vividly his vacations in Vijayawada, his keen academic interest in the working of the government Roads and Buildings office, asking about the tender process, discussing legal litigation matters, and sharing details about his visits to nearby courts. His recollections brought the late engineer's professional life into sharp focus.

• Smt. Ramani M. (Retired Panchayat Raj Officer): Praised Sastry garu as a "top-ranking engineer with ethics," reflecting on his reputation as a popular, incorruptible government officer and their discussions on vigilance matters.

The Patriarch and The Family Anchor ⚓

The testimonies from close family members revealed the deeply supportive and compassionate nature of Sri Sastry.

MB#99B: Lessons Shared by Family

• Sri Susarla Krishna Murthy (Paper Technologist): As the youngest of the five brothers, he spoke emotionally about the extraordinary service his eldest brother, Sri Sastry garu, rendered to the entire family, helping everyone—including himself—at every major turning point, be it securing a job or arranging a marriage.

• Smt. Lakshmi G (Daughter): She shared two vital, frequently heard principles from her father: first, the emotional discipline to "never react to any sort of happening, be cool, think cool, find the solution," and second, his firm conviction that education for girls was critically important, supporting her to become academically meritorious.

• Sri Susarla S. Murthy (Chartered Accountant): Mr. Murthy expressed deep gratitude, recalling his eldest uncle (the celebrant) affectionately calling him 'Suri babu' and the constant support his family received. He praised Sastry garu for his academic achievements, his commitment to relationships, and his compassionate nature, irrespective of age or gender. He shared two profound memories: witnessing Sastry garu weep inconsolably upon the passing of his wife and his extreme joy when his daughter achieved a first-class B.Sc. and secured admission to Andhra University for post-graduation. Mr. Murthy’s key takeaway was his uncle's enduring wisdom: "Our pedananna garu was our guiding light, our motivator... I often find myself seeking his advice, even in my thoughts. His words, 'It's just a generation gap; go ahead with a cool mindset,' have become my mantra."

• Sri. Vijay Susarla, the younger brother of Sri Suryanarayana, arrived from Australia with a last-minute itinerary. Vijay stood by the hosts before and after the event, giving moral support. He took up the task to create PPT slides for auto screening on the TV monitor on his laptop with hundreds of digital photos. Vijay also later expressed his admiration privately, stating, "Both of you have put in a lot of effort, and we are all lucky to have you, as the eldest son and daughter-in-law, who sacrificed time and energy to pay the highest level of honors to the departed souls."

The Legacy That Unites 🤝

Other speakers and informal interactions underscored the lasting impact of the patriarch's integrity:

MB#99C: The Multigenerational Testimonials

• Sri. Emani Uma Sankar (Retired Banker): Complimented the event and advised the audience to emulate Sri Sastry's intellectual personality, reflected in the 70:20:10 formula detailed in the Memoir Blogthon.

  
  

• Sri PV Ramana Murthy (Retired Electrical Engineer): Referring back to saying that with few times of his interaction, Sri Sastry garu was the most morally upright human being. I extended my heartfelt congratulations to the entire family on their centennial birthday celebration.

  
  

• Sri. Akella Ramachandra Murthy (Retired Banker): His message, summarized due to health constraints, spoke volumes about the humility, kindness, and strong values of the Sri Sastry family, which evolved a landlord-tenant relationship into a familial bond that culminated in the marriage of his eldest daughter to Sastry garu's youngest son.

As the attendees enjoyed the sumptuous lunch, the atmosphere remained vibrant with shared memories, confirming that the reunion achieved its highest objective. This generation and the next now carry a reinforced understanding of the values that define the Sastry legacy: ethical action, unwavering support for family, and the power of a "cool mindset." The event served as a powerful reminder that family milestones are essential platforms for passing down heritage and traditions to the next generation, ensuring the enduring impression that Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry garu continues to inspire.

MB#99: Quiz

MB99: Question: What were the two core principles that Smt. Lakshmi G. (daughter) often heard from her father?

Change Image

• A. Hard work and savings.
• B. Punctuality and discipline.
• C. Never react, be cool, and the importance of girls' educat
• D. Honesty in money matters and loyalty to employers.

MB#99: Quote

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." – Martin Luther King Jr.