Ashwin R.
2012-2015, Brindavan
“Life is too long to always be serious. At the same time, life is too short to keep postponing. Laugh a lot. Laugh at others. Laugh with others. And most importantly, laugh at yourself.”
As I pen this piece, I know you will not read it physically. And no, I will not console myself saying you are going to read from wherever you are. As I write this to you, I know every other student of yours is sharing beautiful experiences they have had with you, describing how large a part you were in their lives in many ways. Deep within me, a sense of despair prevails – because I want you to read these stories and know how much you are loved.
I recall my first interaction with you. Here was someone who knew nothing about my past, nothing about me and nothing about what my thoughts were. Yet you sat beside me for forty- five minutes, (and mind you- he was then the Head of the Commerce department) to explain the path of life, art of building careers and most importantly, the gift called life and beyond.
Today, every single opportunity I get to help shape others career, I always remember how you always were there to guide mine – even beyond the college days.
Almost every student of yours has experienced being asked to stand outside the class for not being on time. But that has made me what I am today. Lessons on punctuality, lessons on priorities are true lessons of life that I learnt from you. Today, I live on the subject you taught me in the VI semester. Not that I am a reputed investor in the markets. But my profession and my understanding of investments goes right down to my basics you taught in our final year. And who can forget the parallels you always draw between life and investment.
A man inspires others not by his words but through his actions. Two gold medals later, all you wanted was to be a humble instrument in the mission of His Master, giving up the opportunity to be an a highly reputed Business School.
Yes, we did sometimes witness you anger-but it was to always to mould us into a better version of ourselves.
Above all, your love for Swami is simply unfathomable. While the world will go on without you breathing, there is a huge void that will never be filled – Be it in the college, in the Sai fraternity our in our lives. Because, you are just irreplaceable.
When at a short notice of 10 minutes, more than 500 of your students join to pay your final respects, it shows what you meant to each of them.
You will be missed forever. Forever, is not a mere word -It is a deep feeling I just cannot express. I hope every tear that I hold back as I write this helps me console myself.
But be rest assured, you are back to where you belong – with Him. And keep blessing us as always.
If I ever happen to live a life that touches other people, that makes them happy and helps build careers in commerce, it will always be because you were one that shaped my life.
