Nandini had a huge number of friends. She not only managed to keep in touch with them her entire life, she also touched their lives in many many ways. When she moved to New Zealand, she made new ones but still kept in touch with old ones. 

We have had many many messages from all these people who loved her and are missing her sorely and we are grateful that you were part of her life. 

Oldest and closest of them all was Usha with whom she had many a Chennai shopping and eating adventure and even a trip across New Zealand.

At 11:45pm Chennai time on Friday, the 13th of May, 1983 she gave birth to her first daughter whom she named "Manasa" meaning "mind". Daddy wanted to call her "Agneta" or "fiery eyed" but guess who won that battle ? 

At 2:30pm on Monday, 16th May 1988, Nandini and Ramakrishna welcomed their second daughter, Mahitha. She came a few weeks early and was little and a bit jaundiced compared to the first one but very quickly grew into a cute and healthy baby. 

These girls would be the centre of Nandini's life - she did everything for them and gave them her all until the day they left home to be independent young women and pursue their studies and their career.

After breaking a few hearts with her good looks, Nandini agreed to marry Ramakrishna with thick head of black hair and all the stylish flair of the 1980s (think bell bottomed, bright coloured pants/trousers!). They were married in a grand wedding with a 1000 attendees and set off on their journey through life.

Over the first three years of her life, she became the big sister to her two siblings Nalini (Puttu) and Ashwini Kumar (Achanna) whom she cared for and worried about until her last days. She missed them a lot once she moved to New Zealand and they were always in her thoughts.

Born in the busy metropolis of Madras (now Chennai) to Ruckmani and Srinivasa Rao on 10th October, 1960. She was nicknamed "Bukku" by her parents and grandparents and kept this name until the day she died.