Dear Shri R. Venkataraman,
Saprema Namaskar.

Received your letters dated Jan. 6th and 8th yesterday and today respectively. The letter I had written to Shivaray Telang from Madras reached him only yesterday.

As the Chief Minister is expected to reach Madras on the 11th I propose to write to him tomorrow so that he may receive my letter after his arrival. I shall send a copy of that letter to you and also to Venkataraman at Kanyakumari.

The scheduled meeting took place here today with Pt. Shivasharma in the Chair. The meeting elected Shri Rama Batra, an industrialist, as the Organising Secretary and entrusted him with the task of doing all that is necessary for the formation of the Executive Committee of the Vivekananda Shila Smarak Samiti.

I am trying to meet some reputed Architects, Sculptors, and Engineers here. I am meeting some prospective donors also. One gentleman has promised to donate Rs. 15000/- in two instalments.

I am trying to take a team of experts to Kanyakumari within the next few days. One Engineer, one Architect and one water-finder and one or two more experts in allied matters are expected to reach Madras on the 20th and proceed to the Cape the next day. Last night I had telephoned to Shivarampant’s phone number first, and then to 85002 where I could contact Shri Annamalai. I have instructed him to book two first class reservations in the name Shri Dixit and one in the name of Shri Apte in the Bombay Express of 24th January for Poona. I have also instructed him to book 1st class reservations for them in Tirunelveli Express of 21st evening.

I have also instructed him to intimate to Shri S.G. Subramaniyam of Tirunelveli accordingly and direct him to secure reservations for them for their return journey to Madras from Tirunelveli in the Madras Express of 23rd. As I am to accompany the party to Kanyakumari one reservation for me also is to be done. It is for you to see that the needful is done. As I expect still two more persons to accompany the party, from Bombay, I think it useful to have two more extra reservations in my name for Tirunelveli from Madras. If the expected visitors do not turn up we shall cancel the reservations at the eleventh hour. You need not make further reservations for the above indicated expected visitors because, even if they come they may not return to Madras from the Cape along with the other party and they may prefer to proceed to Trivandrum instead. However, about their extra-reservation you should move only after I write to you again finally.

I am trying to talk to Nagpur on phone tonight. I am thinking of reaching Madras directly from Bombay and not via Nagpur. The album prepared by Shri Vishwanathan may not be necessary for Nagpur now. The album should be retained at Madras.

Please request Shri Annamalai to take the typed copy of the proceedings of the last meeting to Shri V. Rajagopalachari and get it corrected. The extract necessary for being sent to the Bank at Nagarkoil should be typed and with signatures of Shri V.R., should be sent to S. Venkataraman. After my reaching Madras I shall see the corrected minutes myself and then put it in the minute-book.

I intend to reach Madras on the 16th if I come via Nagpur or on the 18th morning if I come directly from Bombay.

I hope the stone samples have been sent to Guindi and P.W.D. Laboratories for test.

A copy of the estimates was one of the enclosures in today’s cover. I hope you have already informed Shri Venkataraman about the mistakes in totalling.
With the help of Shri Rajaram see that the repairs in the hall and in my room as also the electrical work that has been left out half finished is got completed by Shri Narayanrao Khataokar. At least before I return to Madras I expect the work to be completed.

Please talk to Shri Shivarampant regarding the arrangements to be done for the stay of the party from Poona and Bombay.

I may be required to go to Bombay along with the party. But I am trying to avoid the same and visit Madurai instead.

Please request Shri Narayana of Triplicane to see that someone responsible and capable of hearing the telephone bell always sleeps upstairs in the hall. I may try to contact Madras on phone any time. Ordinarily I shall prefer to contact between 9.30 P.M. and 11 P.M.

Yesterday I had made a personal call in the name of Shivarampant. Instead of Shivrampant, Shri Dhanpal took the phone and wasted my three minutes after which I asked the Exchange to connect me with 85002. Instructions would be given to the inmate of the Karyalaya that one should not take up the phone when the call is in the name of somebody else. Please read this letter to Shri Narayana of Triplicane and Shri Shivarampant.

I had left Madras with a bad throat. The throat trouble has only aggravated here.

Convey my Saprema Namaskars to all friends. I am sending a copy of this letter to S. Venkataraman at Kanyakumari.

Eknath Ranade