In a tragic loss for Tamil Nadu, Dr Shankar Ganesan, one of the first openly gay academics from the state, passed away on Wednesday. The professor, who taught at the Vellore Institute of Technology's (VIT) Business School in Chennai, is reported to have suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence on campus. He was 40.
According to a statement from Orinam, a Chennai-based LGBTQIA+ bilingual resource group, Dr Shankar was part of several queer spaces in the city and sensitised many from his professional circle on LGBTQIA+ issues. This included members of the University, management and social work associations. Dr Shankar also helped take forward the discussion around diversity and inclusion at educational institutions, a passion of his. In addition to his role as a management professor, Dr Shankar was also a translator and theatre artiste. 
“Dr Shankar was part of so many of our queer spaces in Chennai – the reading group Quilt, film review group, peer-facilitated support group meetings, Pride planning meetings at Sahodaran, playback theatre, sensitisation programs with Nirangal, Sahodaran and Orinam, research studies, etc. He was a huge source of support to many people, including some young queer people who – with his support – have managed to cope with traumatic experiences of ragging/bulllying in their schools and colleges,” says a statement in his memory from Orinam.