Mayank Gaur
2005-08 Brindavan, 2008-10 Prasanthi Nilayam

As a science student, I did not get a chance to study the technical subjects under Ruchir Sir. However, he played a big part in shaping my personality and taught me practical lessons of life as part of the Stores self-reliance group of Brindavan hostel.

‘Stores boys’, as we proudly called ourselves, was an elite group and I was so excited when I got through. It was in stores, I got a chance to learn from Ruchir Sir to have an eye for detail, meticulous planning, astute negotiations, calculator like number crunching – there was nothing Sir couldn’t do. But his utmost focus was student’s welfare. I was in-charge of the cosmetics section, and I recall him asking me which deodorant do boys like to use the most. He would stock ‘sports branded’ products during the Sports Meet as that appealed to boys during the sports season. I learnt my real-life marketing lessons during that tenure.

I was also fortunate to be part of his Grama Seva group on several occasions. In fact, I’ve fervently prayed to Swami that I get assigned to his group. Impeccable planning and execution with complete focus on Seva were Sir’s hallmarks. His group would finish its work the earliest, have the maximum amount of fun and generally be the happiest.
Can’t believe you have left Sir. I can proudly say that I try to not just emulate what you have taught, but rather blatantly copy the way you spoke, interacted and acted. You’ve left an indelible mark on my personality. Will miss you forever.

Your ‘cosmetics section in-charge’ and life time fan