V. K. T. Balan, a senior in the travel and tourism world and a resident of Mandaveli passed away on Nov.11.
Balan was known to be an innovator in the tourism trade and also in the creative field. But all his well-wishers had to remind people of his rags-to-riches life story that made him a leader in the business and a man who reached out in the community.
Balan is said to have headed to this city looking for openings in movies. He used to sleep in rail station platforms and do odd jobs till breaks in life led him to set up his travel trade. He was self-made, say his admirers.
Madura Travel Service P Ltd. in Egmore went on to be a legendary space, with Balan employing unique ways to draw business and people to him. He also dabbled in travel publishing, catering to travellers in an era when online info had not exploded.
Balan made a big impact with his long-running show on Doordarshan titled “Velichathin Marupakkam” where he interviewed ordinary people with extra-ordinary life stories.
Says Padmapriya Baskaran, who heads a NGO and was on this show, “Balan broke all stereotypes of a TV show, sitting on the floor and discussing with little-known personalities who were each a fighter, or an achiever or a groundbreaker in their own ways.”
Said his daughter Saranya Jaikumar, “He was a remarkable individual and relentless worker, he was admired for his inspiring presence and his dedication to motivating countless young lives.”
Address – 44/1-B , Dev Apartments, 4th Trust Cross Street , Mandaveli, Chennai – 600028
