Passing on of Dr. Madan Kumar Daniel (MBBS batch of 1971)

Dear friends,

We are sorry to inform you of the passing on of Dr. Madan Kumar Daniel (MBBS batch of 1971) on 12 May 2026.

 

Below is a write up from his class:

21^st May 1954                                                                                               12^th May 2026

Our dear friend and classmate Dr. Madan Kumar Daniel, “Madana” to many of us, passed away on the 12th of May in the early hours of the morning a few days short of his 72nd birthday.

A dutiful husband to Asha, a wonderful father to Rahul and Rithwik, a caring father in law to Aditi, a doting grandfather to Vivaan and Viya, a caring brother, a gracious host, a great friend; the list is endless.

A larger than life character, he impacted the lives of so many of us in different ways that it seems inconceivable that he is not amongst us anymore. Madan was someone you trusted to always be there for you, to support and appreciate you. He had a genuine interest in our lives, being often brutally honest but always giving a considered opinion when asked. He accepted us for who we were and generously gave of his attention, time and affection. What made him so immensely likeable was that he never judged you and though he may not have agreed with you (and often violently disagreed), he was never critical.

To most of us classmates he was the “Godfather” to whom we turned for advice, solace and shared joy.

In our physiology practical examination, Madan had a difference of opinion with a frog and an unsympathetic examiner saw him join the next batch along with Sabu and Renu. He was as beloved by his new batch mates though to us he was the one and only “Don of the Batch of 71”.

Madan was born in Nagercoil on 21st May 1954 to a bright civil engineer in the Tamil Nadu Government Service, Mr. John Samson Nathaniel Daniel and his wife Rukmani. Unfortunately he lost his father prematurely during our second year of college (1972) and had the responsibility of caring for and bringing up his four younger brothers. Fortunately his grandfather, the legendary Dr. M. Mathias of Kanyakumari district and an alumnus of Madras Medical College, was around at that time to guide Madan. Madan was a favorite of his grandfather and we all shared in the goodies he sent regularly from Nagercoil, including for many of us something unique – baskets of mangosteen.

Youngsters were drawn to Madan like a magnet and he had this special way of talking to them one on one, never patronising but frequently arguing vehemently as if they were his peers. He loved all children and they reciprocated his affection. His own two were of course special to him, as were his grandchildren who rejuvenated him on their arrival.

Madan had hordes of friends in college, from senior batches to juniors. Extramural friends like Ambi Harsha dropped by for many occasions. Colin, Vinay Kumar, GT, Dilip and Geetha Mathai, to name a few, were the seniors he fraternized with. Also Gowrishankar, Sitaram and others from the junior batch he joined became his friends.

Madan was a multifaceted personality, being knowledgeable about cricket, architecture, furniture design, wildlife, bridge, barbequing and many more subjects apart from ophthalmology.

He was always solicitous of the welfare of ladies, always the perfect gentleman even though he hardly spoke with them. He always appreciated what people did for him, be it a good meal or a favour and he was very vocal in his praise of their efforts and help.

For some years he was in Chennai, first at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital training for his MS in Ophthalmology. Subsequently he joined Apollo Hospitals for a short time and then worked at Vijaya Hospital in the Eye Research Foundation. Madan returned to his hometown Nagercoil and started his private practice in 1989 and worked at Jeyasekharan Hospital. Subsequently he became a consultant at Bejan Singh Eye Hospital in the year 2008. The last few years he spent looking after his family estate, Balamore, where he was the Managing Director.

All his classmates will remember how, as far as possible, he went out of his way to meet them both in India and abroad and to attend their children’s weddings and other functions even when he was very unwell.

In Nagercoil, his home territory, he was the consummate host. Balamore Estate was where his heart always was; it had a special place in his life. He took many of us to this enchanted forest in the mountains where we could share in his joy of the wilds. No one will ever forget his hospitality whenever any of us classmates and friends visited. So many others were also recipients of his generosity and kindness. He and our other classmate in Nagercoil, Devaprasath, vied with each other to be the most hospitable and generous.

Madan was a special person and treasured by all of us in the Batch of 1971. He will always be remembered and his memory cherished. He went the way he always wanted, dying in his sleep.

In the words of Asha, his wife: “There was never a dull moment when Madan was around, always full of noise and life. Yet beneath that loud and lively energy lay a man of profound integrity. He never flattered anyone, nor did he sugarcoat his words; he simply and steadfastly spoke the truth. You always knew exactly where you stood with him and it was that rare combination of a vibrant spirit and absolute honesty that made him such an unforgettable man and friend.”

There can never be another man like Madan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved members of the family at this time.

Sincerely,

Smitha Jasper

Secretary, CMC Alumni Association