Arnel Ramdath
1991-1995, B.Com Brindavan
These past few weeks… a certain sadness has enveloped my life. The sudden passing of Ruchir Sir has brought back some wonderful memories. It’s mind boggling that 25 years later, rarely communicating with him during that time, one’s heart feels so heavy! Swami chose the best of His students to teach His students, and Ruchir Sir was definitely a special jewel in the crown of Bhagawan’s faculty.
When I first joined Brindavan campus in 1991, admittedly, I was unable to digest being away from Swami for months at a time. This was too new, and too difficult. Our lecturers went about with their duties without any dereliction or distractions – especially Ruchir Sir. He always had a pleasant smile, with his bouncy gait and enunciated syllables. He would just look into the air and magically calculate figures – figures I couldn’t calculate with a calculator in hand! Pure genius! And to my young mind his intellect and abilities seemed more otherworldly than human. But time would tell that my perception was wrong.
After my third year, I began to see things differently. I had failed Accounting. Bhagawan, out of His divine abundance of compassion, allowed me to stay in the Brindavan hostel despite not being a ‘current’ student. After enjoying this newfound life of privilege for a month or so, one evening, Ruchir Sir accosted me and enquired if I was studying to retake the exam. My answer was a resounding “Yes Sir!” Of course, he didn’t take my word for it. He knew better than that and instructed me to come to his room EVERY night. In a flash, down came crashing my free life – at least that’s what I felt in that immature, irresponsible, carefree moment. In retrospect, I realize what a blessing it was, but most importantly, how selfless he was. Imagine, after opening stores in the morning for devotees, rushing to college for classes, rushing back to the hostel for evening darshan, then opening stores in the evening for students, he would then have dinner, and then sit with me for another class. Added to this was that I had to be in Trayee Brindavan by a certain time for night duty, so he knew he couldn’t be late. What dedication… what commitment to Swami and His students. Not once did Ruchir Sir make me feel like a burden. He wanted me to understand what I didn’t understand previously, and do well in my final exam. My eyes tear up as I recall his level of service to Swami’s students. I know I would never have succeeded without his timely intervention. While he fulfilled his duties towards the current undergraduate students, he was equally concerned about this one student who wasn’t in college anymore.
One day, Ruchir Sir asked me to help in the stores in the mornings since students were in classes. This was rather surprising to me. Being a proven, unaccomplished accountancy student, I wondered what amazing calculations I would come up with that would send the stores in despair! But Ruchir Sir had probably looked up into the air, calculated the damage I would have done, and figured it was nothing he couldn’t handle. During that period, Swami had graciously blessed me with the opportunity to wait at the Trayee gateway each morning, and summon me for any outstanding work. So by helping in the stores, one would have conflicted with the other. Ruchir Sir, not wanting to obstruct any chances from Swami, simply suggested that I could assist in the stores until Swami finished interviews. From the next morning I found myself assisting in the stores. Sir was ever so attentive, that a couple of times, I didn’t realize Swami had finished interviews, and Sir himself would push me to leave immediately.
He truly went all out for Every Last One of us, and was one unique person, teacher, and brother to all of us. He encapsulated All for One, One for All. Thank you so much Sir, for your selflessness, your inspiration, your kindness, and your guidance. You’ve left an indelible impression on our hearts.
Sai Ram
