By S. Santhanam

NEW DELHI, December 2, 2025 — Losing a colleague can leave a quiet but powerful space in one’s life. Chittoor S Ramachandran (CSR or Ramu as he was fondly called) was my colleague at the Indian Express sports department in Delhi for two decades (1978-98) till his retirement. Writing a tribute for a coworker of his nature can feel like a daunting task.  CSR breathed his last in Delhi on November 30 after a brief illness. He was 85 at the time of his demise. A couple of years ago, CSR and his wife Padma (who retired as a senior scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute), who were till then living in their Hauz Khaz apartment, moved to an old-age home in Gurugram, near New Delhi. Their children (a boy and a girl, both married) are living abroad. CSR, who had joined The Indian Express in the early 1960s, had a calm demeanor, was polite, gentle and sincere in nature and had a pleasing smile. He was admired for his simplicity, humility and warmth. He worked under two legendary journalists of that era — Ron Hendricks and K. R. Wadhwaney.

Football (Durand, Subroto) and hockey (Nehru tournaments) were his favourite sport although he used to cover polo on occasions.

CSR and myself were not merely office colleagues. Our relations lasted beyond our profession. We were close family friends.I used to visit his house when we were both living in Karol Bagh in Delhi. He made it a point to attend my younger daughter’s wedding reception held in Delhi in 2008, to bless the young couple. Our relationships continued for another two decades, even after his retirement from The Indian Express, the only job in which he ever worked. We used to converse on phone, at least once in two months. Our conversations usually centered around how old office colleagues were doing and their whereabouts.

However, after his retirement in 1998, CSR was hardly ever seen on any sports field, my persuations to come and meet old colleagues notwithstanding. Rather, he preferred to spend time with his family, to look after his ageing parents. CSR received his SJFI achievement award for his services in the field of sports at an impressive function in Delhi a few months ago. It is an irony that the two other journalists (Kewal Kaushik and K. Datta, both from The Times of India) who received the award along with him, also passed away one after another. CSR leaves behind his wife Padma and a son and daughter and several friends from the sporting fraternity. CSR will be remembered with affection by colleagues and friends who came in contact with him.