You lead, mentored, guided, hired, taught me what is right, what is wrong and have always inspired me. 

You were and will always be my Godfather.

I met Venu late 2018 in an executive education course we both participated in; it was a short time but fully emersive, incredibly personal and thoroughly engaging. 

All the participants brought their best to the table, we were all trying to do and be our best version. But not Venu. It was clear to me, and I speak for myself and many of my colleagues, that Venu’s natural self was the best we all aspired for and inspired by. Venu’s humility, positivity and cheerfulness was infectious. He wasn't even “trying” like the rest of us; he simply was his beautiful self. 

I am heartbroken by the loss of such a beautiful soul and my deepest condolences to Jyothi and your beautiful children. Know this, you have a freind in Kuwait, someone who one day will want to tell your children when they grow up what an amazing father they have. It’s not nostalgia; it’s the truth. I am blessed to have known him. Rest In Peace you beautiful soul.

Venu Babai was always the exciting and cool babai for us, and I wish we had been able to say goodbye to him before he left us. It hurts to know that I can't look forward to his surprise visits and messages anymore. 

I remember when I went to visit him in Austin when I was younger. I told him I only put salt and pepper on my eggs, and he told me that wasn't the right way. He proceeded to put way too much chili powder in the omelette he was making and told me that it was the correct way to make eggs. Once he ate it however, he was sweating and couldn't eat it. 9 year old me found it absolutely hilarious and couldn't stop laughing. I thought he was the funniest person -- and I wish he was still here so I could laugh at his jokes again. 

I miss you Babai, and I will always remember you for the fun loving and caring person that you were.   

Love, Keerthana

Some of my lovely memories of Venu were right before he went to college and I had just finished mine. We spent a week together, riding around Hyderabad (on that poor Bajaj scooter, as both of us were hefty) and meeting relatives, eating, and watching movies along the way. Boy, did we have fun, especially watching the movie Naked gun 2 ½ ( a slapstick comedy). We did not stop laughing for a bit, it was hilarious. Our relatives tagged us the Babai-Abbai Jodi (usually termed for an uncle and son who were not that apart in age, and on the silly side).Thanks for the pic Srilatha, taken at your place. 

Years passed by and we were not in the geographical proximity to keep in touch face to face. However, we kept in touch via phone calls and he would stop by whenever he was in town, unannounced, so the meetings were always a surprise. The mood always became lighter and of joy whenever I saw him, spending the time talking about family, relatives and work. Although he left us while way too young, we will continue to see him, in his children and recollect the awesome memories he left behind. May almighty give all the strength to Jyothi and the kids. - Miss you ra, - Lakshmoji Babai

♦️Last message from Venu's w app chat.

10th April 2019

Gouti chelli

(Gautami)

Venu - your infectious smile will be truly missed! I will always remember how kind, generous and respectful you were...You had the ability to connect with everyone - kids to older people...you never hesitated to help anyone and always went out of your way to make sure people were taken care of...kids remember you as  “donut uncle” - they used to look forward to the donut treats you got them after each basketball game...I will miss our talks during basketball games and your positive energy! I pray that God gives Jyoti and the kids strength to move forward...RIP my dear friend 

aanewala pal janewala hai ho sake tho zindagi Bitha do.like the song venu always lived in present moment never much cared about tomorrow. Cared about people around him and their well being .you will be missed dearly brother . You showed us to live life to the fullest no matter what we face thats what we will do and will take careof your family . 

I am deeply saddened by the news of Venu’s demise. I had the pleasure of working with him at Knightsbridge/HP and Travelers. He was a dear friend and a wonderful colleague; I will never forget the image of his smiling face. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

My fingers are shaking with tears in my eyes as I'm writing it. We spoke just about 12 days back and I never thought that you would change your plans so quickly and suddenly. You were there at my apartment to celebrate when I was moving back to my home from Connecticut. And then we had a great dinner, perhaps the greatest dinner. You knew all the best restaurants and you didn't care about the ambiance. Without your encouragement, I'd have missed the wonderful experience of driving all the way from Connecticut to California. You are a friend and a brother and you will always be with me in my heart as a friend and as a brother. There will be times when I'd find something new and exciting in the world of technology and I'd not be able to stop myself from calling you and telling you about it.

Jyothi, kids and Venu's parents - As much as I can I share your loss, I know that your grief is immense and unbounded. I've prayers in my heart. May all of us have the strength to bear this unbearable grief.

It is hard to believe that I'm writing this. Rest in peace, my brother Venu. 

Venu and I go back 12+ years through our official channels  - he has so many friends in our community based on down to earth nature  and selfless mindset - we will miss him - our deepest condolences to his entire family and friends - we will pray to the Almighty for the family’s mental strength during this period 

I am deeply shocked and saddened. I will miss Venu's infectious smile, energy and passion! He will be so missed. My sincerest condolences to the entire Challagolla family.

Venu was a very special person who touched the lives of several people at the University of Bridgeport since the beginning of spring 2019 semester. We have known him to be a very hard working, humble, and an intelligent professional with a great sense of community who was passionate about education. Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow and he will be missed greatly. We wish his beloved wife, his lovely children, family and loved ones much needed comfort in this difficult time. Please accept our deepest condolences. On behalf of the Department of Technology Management – Elif Kongar.

I met Venu mama after a long time four years back when I was doing my MBA in New Delhi to watch the FIFA World Cup and talk to him about my career and life aspirations. I was one of the few who was not looking to cross over to the US at that point of time but that one night changed my life. He can be so passionate and inspiring when he talks about his  work or how analytics and data science is going to change the world. I ended up studying in New York and enthusiastically kept in touch with him. 

I learned so much from our numerous charged conversations and worked with him for a short period. He was the best teacher I ever had and he shared later that the perspectives I used to provide due to my MBA exposure made him explore the option to do an MBA in a really good school. I was not surprised when he told me he got into Harvard Business school. I was also lucky to spend a lot of quality time when he came to my wedding. 

I will always treasure my memories with him and his kind persona along with burning desire to be a better human by constantly learning and evolving.

May his soul rest in peace....Venu mamu will be surely missed!!

Very sorry to hear that Venu is no more. I had the pleasure of working with him at Dell...He had an huge impact on the team, motivating and building the capability and energy in the team. I remember him as an easy going, good friend.. May his soul rest in peace. Deep condolences to his family!!

I'm one of his childhood friends. I have known him since the age of 13. We went to the same school, later same Engg College. I along with many of our school friends have unforgettable fun filled memories of Venu. We used to go to his house to watch cartoon movies that his Dad brought from Dubai. Aunty used to cook wonderful lunch for all our friends while we watched Tom and Jerry, Pink Panther etc. We shared the same bench in 9th grade and he also used to graciously share the dirt from his playing in the ground even before the classes would begin. He and I prepared for the 10th grade exams, together, a big deal in Indian education system. He used to come to our house and scare me with all his preparedness for the exams. We studied until midnight. While I was worried about catching up, he used to breeze through the various topics. From fights during cricket matches, volleyball games to being the most brave student to pass back comments on the teachers, Venu was the life of our group. The jovial nature he brings in people is not a skill that is easily found. The very fact that he was well known in the junior and senior circles in the Engg college is a testimony to that. There are countless memories that I could share. 

I along with our school friends are going to dearly miss him. His absence in our lives is something akin to a vaccum that cannot be filled. I myself am not able to come to terms with the present reality so I can imagine what Jyothy and kids are going through, not to mention his parents. Our prayers are filled with Venu's remembrance and memories. Our thoughts are filled with his family and the tough times they are facing. 

I wish the best in the worst time Aunty Uncle Jyothy and the kids are going through. He stays in our hearts. I cannot forget the way he calls me - Arey Bhaskar ga. 

Arey Venu, hope to meet you again.

I feel blessed to have interacted with Venu when we worked together in Austin at Dell Data Warehouse. He was a friend and always brightened every room that he ever set foot in. He will forever be missed!

I went to college with Venu for engineering.  He always made  everyone around him special and  happy. He is funny, witty and charming. Miss you venu and my condolences to the family

I am his Pinni, missing him with heavy heart and wet eyes. 

I convey my heartfelt condolences to each one of his family. 

Whenever he comes to Hyderabad, he used to visit us. He enjoys food .He likes rice with Dal curry(muddapappu)+avakaya +pickle with ghee. 

chicken 65- is my special item.

Sunnivundalu, double egged omelette with onion +ghee  -nayanamma's special items.

Right from childhood,he is a knowledge seeker. He loves driving of vehicles. His visits r lightning and words r pretty thunders. Even in his boyhood he had friends up-to age group of 70years.

S. Prabhavathamma, 

Pinni, Hyderabad, TS

I am a fellow student at the University of Bridgeport.  

Venu and I were taking an Advanced Project Management class together.  We had similar lives.  We both have wonder wives and three spectacular children.  

We spoke of the children mostly.  I have two boys and a daughter, as did he.  His love for them was that of a proud and loving father.  We shared stories of the kid's love of video games....oy...how much they loved those games.  

I wish I had more time to know Venu...our team project was submitted yesterday with his name on it as he was an integral part of developing our work. 

I am honored to have known such a wonderful person and I am sad to have known him for only a short time in my life.

I wish his children peace and his wife all the prayers and love from someone who saw Venu as a caring man with the love of family.

Joe