A Life That Embodied True Leadership
My Mother Smt Visalam Subbaraman (1940 – 2026)
A Life That Embodied True Leadership
Last week, my mother attained the Lotus Feet of God after living a life of dignity, sacrifice, kindness, compassion, service, intellect, and deep spirituality.
As I reflect on her life, I realise something profound.Much of what I have written in my book Ten Rings of Life Leadership was not learned from theory — it was lived by her, every single day.
She was a woman of remarkable clarity.
Her thoughts were sharp, her words well-articulated, and her presence carried warmth and quiet strength.
She had a natural ability to connect with people, and anyone who came to her left with a lighter heart.
Our home in Chennai became a meeting place for relatives and friends from across India and abroad.Through her, it was not just a house — it became a space of belonging.
She stood as a pillar of strength — morally, emotionally, intellectually, and physically — for everyone around her.
From 2004 onwards, she faced one medical challenge after another — cancer, multiple surgeries, strokes, COVID in ICU, severe infections, fractures, and finally a third stroke that affected her speech and movement.
Yet through all of this, she never lost her dignity.
Her body may have weakened, but her inner strength never did.In her final moments, all of us including my brother and sister with our families, my wife were around her.I was holding one hand, and my daughter — who had come from abroad to be with her — held the other.
It was a moment of stillness, grace, and quiet completion.
At this moment, I must also mention my father, who at 90 has been a remarkable companion through her journey.He stood by her with quiet strength and has received her passing with acceptance and dignity.His ability to come to terms with reality, while carrying the depth of a lifetime of companionship, is itself a lesson in strength and maturity.
My mother believed deeply in education and growth.Whatever I have been able to do in life — professionally and personally — has its roots in her vision and guidance.
When I wrote about the Ten Rings of Life Leadership — purpose, spirituality, resilience, relationships, and inner strength — I now realise:
She had already lived them all.
Quietly.Completely.Beautifully.
Her life will continue to guide us, not just as memory, but as a living example of what it means to lead a meaningful life.
