Abhimanyu kaul 1983- 1990
The year must have been 1984-85. I was a student at the high school then. We always looked up to our seniors, for everything. They were truly our role models in every sense. One early morning as the bell for the suprabatham rang and as music was played over the PA, I made my way to the wash basins to brush my teeth. Stood besides me were Ruchir and Rajkumar Jain who were also getting ready for the morning prayers. I put my tooth brush under the running water and left the tap open as I began brushing, as was my habit. A few seconds later, Ruchir politely leaned over and closed the tap. There was nothing said. But the message was conveyed.
Both Ruchir and Rajkumar Jain would only open the tap when they required to use the water and no more. It was a stark example for me on conserving any resource. Till date I endeavor to follow that lesson learnt via their exemplary behavior. Salute to such a divine soul.
Govindvelankar Velankar
Ruchir Desai – Swami’s Choice & our pride
A human being par excellence. He was a master in commerce subjects, known for simplicity, humble to the core and was true to his name – ‘Ruchir’, which means ‘Beautiful’. He was our lecturer in Brindavan since 1986.
He had achieved a great moderation of intellect and heart. Ruchir Sir, was laconic (Meethabhashi) and disciplined.
He was epistemic of, “Think twice before you speak or act”.
We lost a great devotee of Swami, a knowledgeable, wise, brother.
The article by Sudhir is well written & sheds light on his persona in the form of reminiscences of the entire student community who know him from close quarters. I personally thank brother Sudhir Joshi & Hari Krishnan who dedicated his gold medal to Ruchir Sir. Let us pray to Swami to bless his mother to be able face the situation with courage.
Gita declares that, “We are unborn, ancient and Sempiternal.”
Shri Ruchir Desai contributed immensely in Swami’s “Man making and character-building Mission”. His dedication, commitment and renunciation for the great cause will be ever remembered.
Ravikanth Jagarlapudi, 1993-98, Prasanthi Nilayam
What started as prayers for your well being around 4pm yesterday, turned to heartfelt condolences post your physical demise and today I felt one with every student and teacher who were expressing their love and gratitude for the way you taught, lived and loved Bhagawan.
While I never had an opportunity to attend your classes, I could quickly connect with the feelings expressed by your students. My heart feels heavy and tears well up in spite of not interacting with you in the past.
You have lived the way Bhagawan wanted everyone of us to live. You taught your students to uphold Swami’s teachings and your glorious exit from this earth is a testimony to the life you lived. You have inspired generations of students and your legacy will continue to be a lighthouse showing us the way back to Bhagawan.
Your life stories will regale the next generations of students, children and grandchildren. We have read stories of Swami Vivekananda but you have lived, loved and led a life like him.
Thank you for Living, Loving and Leading us unto Him,
Jai Sairam
Subash CV
‘Who will cry when you die’ says Robin Sharma.
How many hearts weep when you die is a proof of your legacy.
Today hundreds of hearts cry for a departed soul, Sri Ruchir Desai. One of the brightest students, he ‘rejected’ his admission to IIM, to serve in the ashram. His Master knew, and asked him to teach.
He went on to touch the lives of students for over 3 decades, contributed to some of the best books and research in his area. He even ran a store for the students and staff. And most importantly, inspired students at a ‘Being’ level, by just demonstrating and not telling!
Among all the jobs, teaching is the highest. Above even healthcare.
In the end, only 3 things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go.
Blessed are the souls like Ruchir sir who dedicated his life to serve his Guru – teaching, mentoring, guiding, inspiring.
Nithilan 2006-2009, Brindavan
It was in my final year of B.Sc, 2009 in Brindavan. Ruchir sir was taking the awareness class for us that semester. As was usual, during the last class of the last day we get to ask sir any question. Lessons, messages, or experiences with Swami, etc. One of the brothers asked: “Sir, you have been teaching so many years, same subject, referring to the same books, year after year. Don’t you get bored?”
There was a hush, some giggles could also be heard. Sir, smiled at the brother, and in his unique charming way replied: “I don’t teach subject, I teach students.”
It took a moment for us to understand the depth of his words. And the whole class was clapping. Those few words still remain etched in my mind. He spoke very few words, but he chose such words that would drive home the essence of what he wanted to convey. Thank you Sir, may your soul rest in the abode of Swami.
Gautam, B.Com 2010-13, Brindavan
It was in our third year B.Com accounts class.
Ruchir sir entered the class with test papers in hand. We could sense that most of us didn’t do well in the test.
He distributed the papers and by Swamis grace I got a decent score.
He then said, “For some, the exam has problems (questions), but for most exam itself is a problem.”
The whole class was silent except for me. I laughed out loud not sensing sir’s mood.
“Gautam, out!”, He said in his typical style.
I went out of the class with head bent and angry within that sir had punished me, even though I scored well in the test.
Later I met with sir and tried to explain my side of the story. He just listened and walked away.
It took me few days to realize that many of my classmates hadn’t scored well and were feeling bad. Me laughing that day made them feel worse.
Only after I realized this and apologized did Ruchir sir allow me back into the class.
This is just one of many memories that flash when I think of Ruchir sir.
He is tough but the life lessons he taught patiently made me more sensitive and sensible.
Kundan Raj Rai
B.Com – 1994
I am completely overwhelmed by the thought that he is no longer with us.
I wasn’t great in accountancy during college days 1991-1994. In simple words, I was poor. Yet years later, after I graduated, I taught accountancy to students of secondary level. I owe it all to the extra time Ruchir Sir took to coach me.
In 2014, I went to Brindavan ashram when in Bangalore for my father’s treatment. The day also happened to be the first day for new UG boys to join the hostel. Sir was busy in the co-operative stores, and though I received a glance, I was not able to meet him on that day, or after that.
And just few days ago, when I learnt of his health and that of several of hostel students and staff. I messaged him on Whatsapp enquiring about his health.
He replied ” Kundan Raj, I am feeling better now with Bhagawan’s grace”, and went to ask me ” how are you and your family doing?”
I replied “we are all doing good and are safe and secured.”
He gave me a thumbs up…..
That short conversation after 25 years was to be my first and the last conversation with Ruchir Sir after leaving SSSIHL.
May Bhagawan give him eternal peace and place besides him. Sai Ram.
Ruchir Sir – a father, guide and philosopher
Sai Krishna, 2018-2021
Personally, for me sir was like a parent always ready to console, correct and help at any time.
Many times, when I had missed calling my parents, sir would send word for me and give me a fine blasting and make me call them. Since I was a science student, initially, I did not understand why sir would go to each shelf at the store every day and arrange or rather rearrange everything. When I asked him, he would explain how he was applying the concepts of marketing to better attract customers. That was how he endeavored to apply what he taught in his classes.
Once, I was sick and couldn’t go to stores for a few days. And on one of those evenings, I was suddenly awoken to see sir seated by my bedside. Sir had come to enquire about my condition, whether I had consulted the doctor and if I needed anything. The following morning as I was going to the hospital, sir stopped me asked if I had breakfast and then immediately but some juice bottles in my hand and asked me to take them along.
Many a times I would turn up at his door to ask him doubts and he would patiently answer them, sometimes suggesting where I can get more information about the topic.
Truly my life in Brindavan was enriched by Ruchir sir. These memories will guide me through out my life.
Aashrit Maheish
B.Com (Hons.) 2015-2018
Everyone has multiple teachers, lecturers and professors throughout their academic journey. Few, however, can have an impact on you as Ruchir Sir did on countless students across decades.
A finance wizard, a master of accounting and nothing short of a demi-god at Investments, Ruchir sir’s teaching style would ensure that even the slowest of students understood the concepts clearly. He would even spend time in the hostel with students individually to further explain a topic again if needed.
However, it was his personality outside class that every Brindavan student vividly remembers and cherishes. A fun-loving person treating students as his equal and engaging with them in fun filled banter, imparting life lessons, offering valuable career guidance, never missing a chance to share some lovely stories of Swami from his interactions, and most importantly, caring for every single student in the hostel as his own.
I remember a conversation I had with him where I told him I wanted to pursue Hospitality Management but was skeptical about ‘wasting’ a year and would rather do a general MBA instead. He chided me and told me in his inimitable financial lingo that in the fear of short term losses of wasting a year, I am forgoing all the long term gains of actually following my passion and making my dream a reality. He further even spoke to my father and played a major role in convincing him to let me follow my dream.
Sir, I may not have been able to meet you, talk to you and share a bar of dark chocolate with you recently, but every time I take a step forward in my profession and look back at how I got there, I know I will see you standing there with a big smile and your typical ‘I-told-you-so’ expression.
It is a hard loss indeed but looks like Swami needed his trusted gate-keeper to keep the place neat in heaven just as you did in Sai Sruti before every Kodai trip for many many years.
Thank you so much for all the memories Sir. I will truly miss you. ️
Shreenath
2006-2009, Brindavan
With all humility I would like to dedicate the following write up in the loving memory of a person whom we call a Teacher, in the truest sense of the word!
From being a flop in accountancy to someone who does reasonably well – if a metamorphosis was evident, it was only due to the undying efforts of my beloved Sir that helped me sail on. He was also instrumental in helping me hone my oratory skills for our Annual Sports Meet commentary (He would jovially refer to my voice as a “Smoker’s Voice!”). If not for him, I would not have dreamt of this!
A mere “THANK YOU” will not suffice for the sacrifices made and lessons taught. Prostrations to you dear Sir. Prostrations to your Blessed Mother. And Prostrations to our Lord! Jai Sai Ram!
Anand V
Words cannot express the extent to which I will miss Ruchir Sir. He was someone who constantly amazed me. Every time I interacted with him, I learnt something new and, even more, I learnt something new about him. His achievements can easily put anyone like me to shame. He did all that with so much dedication, devotion and love for Swami that I can only pray and yearn to follow in his footsteps, even if I know I could never match what he has done.
He is a man of action and the volume of work he has done is just unimaginable, one that I hope will keep reminding me of my own duties and responsibilities. There is so much to emulate in him and he will continue to inspire me and amaze me.
We will miss his love, affection, kindness, perfection, devotion, dedication, focus and that great smile!
Oh what a man! Humbled and eternally grateful to the Lord for having allowed me to know someone like him. If not for him, I would not be what I am today. He shaped us and will continue to do so.
Siva Sai Ramana Kumar, Challa,
1980-1992 Prasanthi Nilayam
I had the pleasure of meeting Ruchir for the last time in March 2020 when I visited the Whitefield campus to deliver a lecture during one of the moral classes. Little did I realize that it would be my last opportunity to see him. I was meeting him after 2 decades of leaving SSSIHL. He was one year senior to me and I had the opportunity to see him regularly for over 12 years during my stay in Parthi. What struck me most was that his personality, demeanor, calmness in communication and discipline in undertaking any endeavor did not change from the very first time I saw him as a student. He and many of my contemporaries during my stay in Parthi who served Swami and the institutions remind me of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) and a passage from her. She is a much-loved Catholic saint and mystic from Avila, Spain, who followed both the way of action and the way of contemplation.
Let nothing upset you;
Let nothing frighten you.
Everything is changing;
God alone is changeless.
Patience attains the goal.
Who has God lacks nothing;
God alone fills every need.
By Smt Jayalakshmi – Mother of S Anand (2014 Brindavan)
In 2011 when my son S. Anand got admission in B.Com in Swami’s college I was not very keen about enrolling him as I had some doubts as to how the Institute would function when Swami was not “Physically around”. However, as my son was very keen I took him to Brindavan for the admissions. The first person I met there was Mr. Ruchir sir, coming out from the Book store. His polite manners and kind words immediately allayed my fears and I came back rest assured knowing that my son is amongst loving people.
During the academic year, when my son had broken his arm and was feeling very low, Ruchir sir in his own way kept my son very cheerful and supported. The five years that my son spent there; sir helped celebrate every one of his birthdays in a grand manner. I will forever be grateful to him for his kindness.
Loving Pranams to the noble soul