Selvachandran Vallipuram

Chandran Mama is a man who was extraordinary in so many ways.

Chandran Mama stood out for his courage. He was passionate about the plight of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and the suffering of animals. He spoke openly about these topics, and he was never afraid to tell the honest truth. He did not mince words and could always be counted on to speak courageously. His integrity – his ability to stand for what was right no matter what other people thought – was a rare quality that made him stand out.

Yet while he may have earned a reputation for being brutally honest, he was a gentle man at heart. He would always speak softly, calling us “amma” or “baby.” He would end his phone calls by saying “thank you for listening.” He took his role as an uncle seriously. He was sensitive to our needs and took great care to make sure we were happy. He loved to host and entertain and was always excited to welcome people into his home. He was always the first to wish us on our birthdays.

What we will remember most about him is his incredible kindness and compassion. He was moved deeply by the suffering of others, whether humans or animals. When he learned about all the abuses suffered by animals around the world, for example, on factory farms, he decided to stop eating meat and became vegetarian. Any opportunity he had, he would teach those around him about animal cruelty. He raised awareness for hundreds of petitions and donated generously to various causes for animal welfare.

But he did more than just talk. Several stories come to mind which illustrate his love and care for animals. Every day, after work, he would go to the store and buy bags of food, in order to feed the birds and squirrels in his neighbourhood. He did this all seasons, even wintertime, to make sure they did not go hungry. When he was doing sidewalk-clearing work for the City, he would go to great lengths to protect the snails and other little creatures which crossed his path. Each time a snail crossed his path, he would stop his tractor, get down, take a branch, and gently sweep the snail out of harm’s way and onto the grass. Only then would he resume his work. After a time, he even stopped taking his lunch breaks, because he noticed that every time he stopped his tractor, the snails would crawl onto his wheels and sit there. He did not want them to come to harm when he resumed driving. Such was his compassion for other living beings.

Chandran Mama, you have inspired us greatly. You always said you were proud of us. But today, we are more than proud to call you our uncle. Thank you for the many stories and memories you have left with us. We will cherish them always.