Kedar Illal
2003-2006, Brindavan

I was a student at Brindavan from 2003-2006. Unlike many of my batch mates, I was not a very bright student when it came to studies. However, I had confidence in the subject of Accounting because I always scored well in it prior to my BCom. Owing to my confidence, I never felt the need to practice Accounting after the classes. Needless to say, I paid a price for my overconfidence in my third semester when Ruchir sir taught us Accounting.

I wrote the 3rd semester Accounts paper on my birthday and I came out of the examination hall knowing that it was not going to be a happy birthday that year. Ruchir sir always had a twist or two in the question paper. I failed miserably in that paper. In hindsight I am glad that I failed, because I got to work with Ruchir sir on my studies. Ruchir sir asked me and two of my friends to meet with him after dinner on the day the examination results were announced. We went to his room. After a stern reprimand he asked us to prepare on the subject and meet with him everyday and update him on our progress. This exercise not only got me to practice more Accounting but also taught me two very important things in life: There’s nothing like a known terrain, so always be prepared; Not everyone who chides you dislikes you.

It took me less than a week to realise why Ruchir sir was upset. He saw my failure as his own. We receive this kind of care and concern only from our parents. In the days to come I went on to learn my elective paper, ‘Investment Analysis’ under his guidance. I loved the subject very much, thanks to the way he would explain the topics. He was an expert on the subject and the classes were exhilarating. I thoroughly enjoyed all his classes on this subject even if they were post lunch sessions. I maintained detailed notes of the class and he appreciated my notes in front of the whole class. Due to certain administrative reasons, what was an elective paper became mandatory for all the students. My notes suddenly became very popular and were in great demand. Most of my classmates photocopied my notes owing to the feedback from Ruchir sir. I still have that notebook in its original form, intact with the binding paper on it. It is a cherished possession and I treasure the memory.

In my third year I was assigned to room C8, just beside Ruchir sir’s room in the Brindavan hostel. Even though I continued to be playful and mischievous, there was a sense of awe living adjacent to Ruchir sir. He made sure I did extremely well on my coursework and scored an A grade. More importantly, in his own way he got his ‘A grade’ with my grades. I owe my career’s most successful building block to that one elective paper on Investment Analysis as it gave me a tremendous amount of clarity to be a corporate trainer and shape a career for myself. All of this was possible because of the special attention from Ruchir sir. I envy some of my classmates who were with him in managing the Stores and other activities. I met with Ruchir sir in 2019 on the occasion of the Brindavan Golden jubilee celebrations. He expressed happiness knowing I was doing well for myself. I bent down to touch his feet, he gently stepped away and said we were all Swami’s instruments, and we should seek Swami’s blessings.

Owing to the many visits to his room, we jokingly called it his Den; I have a clear picture of two things in the room. There was a message on his cupboard that read, “It’s your Attitude, not your Aptitude, that determines your Altitude.” There were two stacks of business magazines below his bed. One was a pile of magazines he had completed reading and the other was a pile he was yet to read. During the past few weeks there were continuous prayers for his recovery. Whenever I thought of him during those prayers, I recollected his room and the two stacks of business magazines. In my mind’s eye they now appeared to be a pile of good deeds he had accumulated and a pile of noble projects he wanted to complete. The pile of good deeds had taken enormous proportions. So enormous that all our collective prayers were not enough to stop him from merging with his divine master. I am confident Ruchir sir has gone on to attain something higher which we are unable to decipher with our limited understanding.

Ruchir sir, we will miss you dearly. Life will never be the same without your guiding presence.