A LONG-TIME Bahrain resident has passed away, leaving behind cherished memories that reflect his devotion to family and work.
Indian expatriate Manayil Chandrasenan died at the age of 73 in his hometown in Kerala, following long-standing cardiac issues.
He is survived by his wife Nona Binthan Senan and children Beena, Teena, Shyam and Shaina, who carry forward his legacy as a devoted husband and father, as well as a respected member of the Bahrain Police.
Mr Chandrasenan dedicated 45 years of service from 1978 until his voluntary retirement in 2023. He served primarily in the Traffic Department and was briefly posted to the Telecommunications Directorate shortly before retiring. Throughout his tenure, he earned widespread respect for his loyalty, professionalism and commitment.
After retirement, Mr Chandrasenan travelled frequently to India for routine medical care. A native of Brahmakulam near Guruvayoor, he had returned to Bahrain during Ramadan this year after one such visit, shortly before regional tensions began.
“He was already under treatment for cardiac issues and was due to go again but unfortunately, the war broke out,” daughter Beena Senan told the GDN.
“He suffered a cardiac arrest in April, which caused slight damage to his brain and was admitted in the hospital. Eventually, we managed to get the required clearances for him to travel back home,” she added.
Mr Chandrasenan was not in a position to walk at this point and had to be repatriated on a stretcher. Once he reached his hometown, he was immediately admitted to the hospital where he experienced a series of complications, eventually leading to his demise.
Despite their grief, Ms Senan said the family takes comfort in the fact that their father was able to visit Bahrain one final time.
“My father was a deeply self-disciplined, resilient and compassionate person – values he upheld throughout his life” Ms Senan, a Hoora resident said. She noted that her father never sought fame or recognition. However, she and her family wish to honour his legacy and selfless personality.
Mr Chandrasenan was known among his peers for his helpful nature. Throughout his life, he extended support to many through community service, financial assistance, medical help, official guidance, and personal support during difficult times. This kind demeanour was admired by many, which led him to forge deep bonds with people, including those he met through work. One such friendship was with Bahrain-based media professional and entrepreneur Sethuraj Kadakkal.
“I first met Senan in 2011. I had visited the Interior Ministry to provide clarification regarding a news report I had done. Since the report was in Malayalam, a team that included Senan – a Malayali officer – was assigned to verify the details,” the Starvision chairman recounted, highlighting that the meeting marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship.
“Senan was a man who quietly helped many ordinary people whenever needed. His greatest wish was to spend the rest of his life in Bahrain. He always spoke with happiness and pride about seeing both Bahraini and expatriate youth entering the field of sports, because at heart, he himself was a passionate sportsman,” he added.
Apart from his professional achievements, Mr Chandrasenan was an accomplished athlete and sportsman. Representing Calicut University in Kerala, he excelled in middle-distance running and held the university’s 1,500-metre record for nearly two decades – a testament to his endurance and determination. Football was another passion, and his talent earned him recognition while playing in Gujarat, eventually leading to selection at the national level.
“After retirement, he remained active and fondly collected newspaper clippings from his college and athletic days. We were deeply moved to see so many of his batchmates come to pay their last respects,” Ms Senan, a pharmaceutical professional, added.
Ms Senan and her siblings were raised in Bahrain, where they laid the foundation for their careers after studying at the Indian School Bahrain.
Her twin sister Teena is based in the UK, while Shyam works at the Interior Ministry and Shaina is a media professional with a leading local radio station.
“His values, resilience and spirit continue to live on through us and in the lives of all those he touched,” she added.
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