Indian professor killed ..............

Among one of the 32 people killed during the shootout was Indian professor GV Loganathan.

The professor was killed while taking a class in mechanics. This was the second classroom that the gunman entered.

Professor Loganathan was born in Tamil Nadu's Erode district and taught in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Virginia campus.

His programme area was environmental and water resources engineering, and he had received many awards for excellence in teaching.

An alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, he completed his doctorate at the Purdue University and joined the Virginia Tech university in 1982.

In its reaction, the Kanpur IIT has condemned the shootout and held a condolence meeting.

IIT-Kanpur Director Sanjay Dhande said that the institute was trying to find out about any students who might be in Virginia.

"I am deeply shocked to hear about the violence on the Virginia Tech campus. Dr Loganathan was a friend and colleague. I too have taught at Virginia Tech and know the campus, faculty members etc."

"He was a simple, modest, family-oriented man who was just doing his duty and was unfortunately caught in the firing and succumbed to injuries. I am saddened and hope his family has the courage to get through this," said Sanjay Dhande, Director, IIT-Kanpur.

Family shocked

Professor Loganathan's family was in shock upon receiving the news of his death. His parents and two younger brothers find it difficult to believe he's no more.

The professor had told them that he was planning to move to India in a year or two.

"It's a terrible shock. He called two days ago and said that he would come to India in two years," said Kannammal, Mother of Professor G V Loganathan.

Professor Loganathan is survived by his wife and two daughters, the elder of whom studies at Virginia Tech University.

The family says that the last rites will be conducted in the US, as the professor had wished, and nine of his family members, including his elderly parents, will be traveling to the US.

Four of them, including the professor's parents, don't have passports, but the government has assured that won't be a problem.

MEA to help

The Indian government has also said that it will help those affected by the shootout in any way that they can, including immediate passports for the family of the professor.

Let us keep it all in one thread at http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=17150

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