The KHNA community expresses our deep sadness at the passing of Dr. N. Chandraguptan (May 1934 - Sep 2008)
last thursday (Sep, 24th) at age 75. Dr. Chandraguptan was a stalwart of the community, a leading light of KHNA and
an inspiration for all our activities over the years. He is the brother of the chair of the KHNA VIP committee, Smt.
Santha Sreedharan, California. Sri. Govindan Janardhanan, the vice chairman of KHNA Trustees placed a wreath at the
funeral meeting in New York. Below we reproduce an article written by Sri. B. Aravindakshan of New York, the 2005-2007
Treasurer of KHNA.
Dr. Chandra Guptan: Simple, Humble, Sincere Activist and Physician
B. Aravindakshan, New York, September 26
The last 41 years Dr. Chandra Guptan was a household name in New York and he was admired by young and old.
His presence always cheered every one, h e sang the melodies from the oldies spoke about the religious thread
man weaved to climb the imaginary hills to reach heaven perhaps God and the relevance of Lord Buddha’s
teaching for peace and harmony. Visited temples, churches and mosque and prayed and spoke of humanity,
life and social uplift.
New York is the capital city of organizations with several fractions of vested and dedicated groups,
but Dr Chandra Guptan’s presence made everyone to pin drop silence and long laughs followed when he
addressed the audience with quotes and phrases from ancient scholars.
He always shared time for each and every one present. Many used to say he looks like famous Malayalam movie
actor Sathyn who best remembered for his award winning role in Malayalam film "Chemmeen".
After graduating from Kasthurba Medical College in Manipal, he worked in Calicut Medical College in Kerala,
and Bronx Psychiatric center in New York as a psychiatrist. He always kept a universal approach to good and
bad times. He viewed many issues as part of our growing process. His life didn’t have boundaries laid out
by religious pundits of the modern world, perhaps he was always ahead of our time and thoughts.
I got the rare privilege of knowing him and discussing many issues dear to the Indian community and beyond.
In our friendly discussions, we very often traveled back to the era of Emperor Asoka and his dedicated
children especially the life and contribution of Sangamitra and her contribution to the early Asian
culture that led to a very peaceful modern China and Far East. Dr. Guptan’s life was very sacrificing
to the ideology he believed in.
Dr. Guptan’s parents C. S. Narayanan and Lakshmi were very successful in business and they had two sons
and three daughters. Dr. Guptan married Ms. Mangalam, daughter of well known PWD Contractor Jagathy
Chellappn Contractor of Trivandrum. Several of Dr. Guptan’s family members became a vital parts of
Indian community in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco. Sisters Dr. Sakunthala Chandrasekar
of Philadelphia, Dr. Santhakumari Sreedharan of San Francisco, Sobhana Kamal of Los Angeles and brother
Rajkuar are few to mention. His brother in-laws are Dr. Chandrasekharan, Mr. Sreedharan and
Dr. Kamaleswaran of California.
His service to many organizations were remarkable. Intellectual Forum of New York, FIA, NFIA, FOKANA,
Kerala Samajam of New York, Westchester Malayalee Association, Kerala Cultural Association of North America,
Kerala Center, Sahithya Vedi, Sree Narayana Association of North America, Kerala Hindus of North America
are few among many to mention.
Friends, unfortunately now we miss him forever, after a short stay at Jacoby Hospital in Bronx, New York,
Dr. Chandra Guptan passed away at the age of seventy five on September 24th. It was unexpected and shocking
to thousands who came to know him well. The family lost a loved one; I lost a good friend, an inspiring
scholar. Indeed it is a great loss to many children who enjoyed and learned through him about India and
its contribution to the world. Dr. Guptan was few among many who spoke in English while addressing the
Indian crowd and children understood him well.
Dr. Chandra Guptan was blessed with one son, three daughters and four grand children. Our prayers go to son
Sudeer Guptan, his wife Manjusha, daughters Kristin, her husband Vishnu Hari, Gayathri, her husband James
and Geethanjali, her husband Erick and grand children.
His family members were by his bed side during the last days of his life. He will be laid to rest on
Saturday, Sept 27. Funeral arrangements are at park Funeral Home in Garden City, Long island.
Dr. Chandra Guptan (May 1934 - September 2008) will be remembered as an eloquent writer, caring doctor,
inspiring speaker, dedicated community activist and supporter of numerous good causes. Dr. Guptan will
remain in our minds and he was one of the foundations of our social motivation for the last 40 years in New York.
[The above article appeared in www.emalayali.com]
