Homage to Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar

 

Homage to Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar

Just received the shocking and sad news of the passing away of Mrs Jamuna Bhaskar following an illness. She was 67!

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.

With profound sadness,
S Sampathkumar
21.10.2026