C. Kumarbabu was more than a psychiatrist: he was a philosopher in practice, a teacher by instinct, and a seeker at heart. His career, which spanned decades, was defined by his pioneering work in integrating scientific meditation with psychiatric treatment. A bridge between science and spirituality, Dr. Kumarbabu connected the intellectual rigor of the West with the wisdom of the East, creating a harmonious blend of intellect and intuition.

Affiliated with the Institute of Mental Health in Kilpauk, Chennai, Dr. Kumarbabu reshaped the landscape of mental healthcare. His impact continues to be felt in the over 25,000 individuals he personally trained in meditation for emotional well-being and stress management, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time.

What truly set him apart was his empowering approach to counseling. As he often said, “Transformation arises not from advice, but from insight.” Dr. Kumarbabu didn’t impose changes; instead, he held up a mirror, guiding his students to discover their own paths to transformation.

‘Always a teacher’

Bhagyalakshmi, a meditation student since 1996, recalls, “He was always a teacher, finding something to teach in every moment. Even in casual conversations, he could discuss anything—from classical philosophy to quantum physics—with ease. His intelligence and humor kept every room alive with laughter and learning.”

Dr. Kumarbabu’s spiritual teachings were both profound and practical, making abstract concepts accessible. Haridas Menon, a retired metallurgist, shares, “I’ve been a fan of his spiritual lectures for 35 years. He blended science, spirituality, religion, and mental health effortlessly. His punctuality was legendary, and his brilliance was as much in his conduct as in his content.”

Dr. Kumarbabu’s meditation sessions were about exploration, not control. “He never policed our thoughts,” says Vijayalakshmi, another long-time student. “He encouraged us to observe them without attachment. His guidance inspired a deep transformation in me—what words rarely can. I went from being angry to calm and aware. Even my daughter found clarity after just three sessions.”

A legendary memory

Dr. Kumarbabu’s memory was legendary—not for mere recall, but for its ability to connect the past with the present. “He could recite long film monologues and immediately link them to our lives,” says Ms. Vijayalakshmi. “His memory bridged knowledge to the moment, making his teachings come alive.”

For Senthil Kumar, an IT professional from Chennai, a chance visit to a meditation class led to a life-changing experience. “I came out of curiosity, but stayed because everything was so practical and relatab-le. No mysticism, just real talk. He made meditation accessible and linked great masters and scriptures to everyday struggles.”

Dr. Kumarbabu’s ability to balance reverence with relevance was a hallmark of his approach. Rooted in Eastern wisdom yet respecting the scientific rigor of the West, he integrated both to offer a holistic, sustainable vision of wellness.

Training in psychology

Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Kumarbabu was a gifted mentor and educator. He trained countless social workers, police officers, and other stakeholders in child and adolescent psychology, equipping them to work meaningfully with children in distress. His approach was always rooted in empathy and insight, placing the child at the center of care and protection.

Dr. Kumarbabu was also a cherished faculty member of the Centre for Social Initiative and Management (CSIM) since its inception. His counseling sessions were more than classes; they were heartfelt conversations that opened minds and hearts. Generations of CSIM students benefited from his gentle guidance, deep understanding of human emotions, and unwavering belief in the power of listening and healing.

A significant part of Dr. Kumarbabu’s journey was the unwavering support and shared commitment to social causes by his beloved wife, Girija Kumarbabu, herself a committed social worker involved in a number of outreach initiatives. Together, they inspired countless individuals in their community, demonstrating a shared dedication to improving the lives of others. Mrs. Kumarbabu’s compassion and dedication to social work have been as integral to their mission as Dr. Kumarbabu’s own contributions. The couple’s collective work continues to be a source of inspiration, reminding us all of the profound impact of service and care in shaping a compassionate society.

Dr. Kumarbabu’s legacy endures, not just in the minds he helped heal, but in the hearts he awakened. Through his teachings, he showed us that peace begins within—and that in stillness, we often find our greatest strength.

(Shanmuga Priya is a freelance writer and has been associated with CSIM’s publication Conversations Today since 2013. shathi2118@gmail.com)

A model hi-tech community toilet unit exclusively for women set up at Chatnalli village in Bidar taluk in Karnataka.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

To provide safe and hygienic sanitation access for those without individual household toilets in rural areas, the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) is set to establish hi-tech community toilets exclusively for women in 60 villages across Bidar district. One such model hi-tech toilet has been built at Chatnalli village in Bidar taluk.

Each community toilet unit comprises 11 washrooms — 10 Indian-style and one Western-style toilets — the latter designated for individuals with disabilities. The government of Karnataka has allocated ₹25 lakh for constructing each hi-tech community toilet unit. 

The district has approved 60 such hi-tech women’s community toilets — 16 units in Bhalki taluk, 13 in Basavakalyan, 10 in Bidar taluk, 7 in Kamalanagar, 6 in Humnabad, 4 in Chitguppa, and 2 each at Aurad and Hulsur taluks, said Dr. Girish Badole, Chief Executive Officer of Bidar zilla panchayat .

This modern and scientifically designed women’s community toilet features a waste conversion system for fertiliser production. It is equipped with a water supply and electricity facility. An inverter system has been installed to ensure the safe and convenient use of toilets even at night.

The hi-tech toilet unit has got two wash basins. Two laundry platforms have been constructed outside the toilet for washing clothes.

The toilet spans 600 square feet in a prime location, relatively safer and easily reachable by women. The unit will soon be handed over to the gram panchayat and thrown open for public use, said Abhishek Pola, In-charge Engineer at KRIDL.

Community public toilets in rural areas can directly help reduce risks of snakebite deaths and drowning. Citing an example of a recent death of a girl at Mannalli village due to snakebite, Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Kiran Patil said the risk of encountering snakes or drowning can be decreased by promoting better sanitation and discouraging open defecation. In addition, such sanitation facilities can improve hygiene and health. “The community toilets in rural areas often fail to be used effectively due to lack of water facilities, but the hi-tech community toilets will have adequate water supply through connections drawn under Jal Jeevan Mission,” Mr. Patil added.

Besides establishing hi-tech community toilets, the zilla panchayat is organising awareness about the importance of using community toilets among villagers through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, says IEC coordinator Satyajeet Nidodakar.

People in rural areas are showing interest in constructing individual toilet facilities under Swachh Bharat Mission. As of now, the zilla panchayat has received 9,412 applications for individual toilets, of which 6,778 got approved while the rest are under process, he said.

M. Nathiya swiftly pulls one side of the cable crossover machine weighing over six kg and proceeds to pull the other, grunting with each effort. Seated in her wheelchair, in the gym for women with disabilities, she soon falls into the rhythm of her training.

The seasoned para powerlifter is required to spend six hours at the gym, three in the morning and three in the evening as training for powerlifting. As a para powerlifter, she is required to train every muscle in the upper body including the back muscles, shoulders and arms apart from targeted spinal stability. As each set also requires rest, time factored to move around in a wheelchair, it takes a total of three hours.

However, with no accessible gym in the city, Nathiya was forced to complete her entire routine in one and half hours.

“I would require someone to help me get my weights or dumbbells at a gym designed for normal people. I’d require more time because I have to shift from my wheelchair to the equipment and most others would request that they finish first. I couldn’t train at ease,” said the seven-time national winner in powerlifting.

But the scene has changed in the last two months with the setting up of the gym dedicated to women with disabilities in Nungambakkam thanks to the Better World Shelter and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

“Today, I can train for three hours, every piece of equipment is spaced with a wheelchair in mind, nobody is hurrying me to finish the set, I can access the dumbbells and weights myself. The independence to train by myself has been liberating,” said Nathiya.

Like Nathiya, other women with disabilities recall the hardship in trying to find an accessible gym in the city Most gyms in the city are situated either on the first or upper floors with no accessibility via lift. People had no space to maneuver their wheelchair in the area and the gym constrained their training to about one and a half hours.

“When we did finally find a gym that accepted and fit our requirement, it was on open ground. The sand and stones made it difficult to travel between equipment. It added to the difficulties,” said Matilda Fonceca, international para basketball winner.

Spread over 500 sq ft space at the Better World Shelter, the gym for women with disability is equipped with all the essential equipment. Inaugurated in March, the gym will soon begin non-resident enrollment. It does not have any fee, and is open all days.

“Tamil Nadu is very ready for innovating in sports especially in needs of para sports. Sports is not just about personal fitness, its also a good contender as a source of livelihood. For women with disabilities it has given them a lot of exposure to the world and independence,” said Aishwarya Rao, Founder of Better World Shelter for Women with Disabilities.

Stating that the gym was completely designed by the NGO, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran said, “We lent our support to the initiative. Since, the announcement of the gym, we have been receiving requests to set up more such gyms for persons with disabilities. We are also mulling the possibility of opening such gyms in the city.”