Homage to Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar
Just
received the shocking and sad news of the passing away of Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar
following an illness.
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Tall, fair, with a great command of the
English language, caring towards people and possessing immense knowledge
without ever boasting about it — she had endeared herself to everyone during
her Insurance career, first in PSU and later in Private. A couple of months
ago, when I messaged her, she responded, saying that she had not been keeping
well and was facing health issues. Yet, her demise today comes as a sudden and
terrible shock.
My memories go back to 1986. I was then
with Oriental Insurance at CBO 7, Kamala Arcade, controlled by DO 3 at VDS
House, Cathedral Road. Tall, young, intelligent and friendly, Ms Jamuna joined
Oriental as a Direct Recruit Officer and was posted to DO 3 as an AAO.
Initially, she was looking after the Marine Department.
I remember attending her wedding with
the handsome AV Bhaskar, an acclaimed still photographer and cinematographer. I
also remember her attending my wedding in 1992.
At Oriental, she rose steadily and went
on to become the Branch In-charge of the Guindy office. Those were the days
when not many women occupied positions at the helm of affairs. In 2002, with
private insurers entering the field, she was among the early colleagues to
resign from Oriental and move on. She joined Bajaj and made a name for herself
in the insurance domain, reaching the higher echelons of the industry.
Meanwhile, I joined RSIL and moved on
in my own professional journey. Decades later, I had the golden opportunity to
work with her again when I joined Future Generali in 2015. Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar
was then in charge of the Tamil Nadu Zone.
She was the real hero of the office.
She cared deeply for employees, particularly women colleagues, drove good
insurance business and maintained excellent relationships with brokers and
major clients. She was firm yet extremely friendly.
In September 2019, she retired happily.
The office gave her a rousing farewell because everyone respected and regarded
her as one of the most dependable personality to approach with their grievances and from
whom they could seek solace. She championed the cause of employees, ensured
appropriate ratings and rewards, and was always willing to listen whenever
something was amiss.
My innings at Future Generali was
memorable right from the interview until my retirement. The period during which
I reported to Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar was particularly special — an association
marked by mutual respect, cordiality and warmth. It was, indeed, a golden phase
of my professional life.
Beyond her professional
accomplishments, she was a deeply caring and considerate mother and a devoted
family person. She took care of her siblings, parents, in-laws and everyone
around her. Her daughter, a well-known model, married actor Nakhul, while her
son, Danush Baskar, is a cinematographer, married. Mrs Jamuna was happily
spending time with her grandsons.
I had heard that she was facing some
health issues. Sadly, she passed away today. The obsequies are to be held at
her residence near Thiruvidanthai tomorrow.
It is very sad to learn of her passing.
The insurance fraternity has lost a fine professional, and those who knew her
have lost a warm, caring and dependable human being.
We miss you, Mrs
Jamuna Bhaskar.
S Sampathkumar
21.10.2026
