We are in mourning over the loss of a most beloved uncle. Vel Uncle/Vel Chitthappah to me and many of my cousins. Vel Periappah to my other cousins. Vel Uncle will always be remembered for his generosity and unwavering support of his nieces and nephews who didn't have the privilege of having a stable upbringing due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. premature sudden death of a parent, severe illness of parent etc.). Without Vel Uncle's support, many of us would have struggled to reach where we are today. This is the way that Nadarajah Master Appappah and Appammah (our grandparents) brought him and our family up. To throw a ladder down for their siblings or nieces and nephews who were struggling to come up. We always all looked forward to spending time with Vel Uncle as he was hilarious in his story telling and inappropriate but very funny comments that he would make. Watching Vel Uncle (and all of my uncles and aunts) has taught me that just because life gets tough doesn't mean that we give up and give in, we push back and we work harder. Whether he knew it or not, he was a role model for us. Vel Uncle didnt have any children of his own, but all of his nieces and nephews were like his kids. And he has always been like a 2nd father to me. Losing him has felt like I'm losing my own father all over again, its painful. We pray to God that his athman has reached the ultimate nirvana or at the very least that he will reap the good karma that he has gained from supporting all of us in this life, for his next. God Bless him.