Memory of Prof Anil Kumar takes me back to my very first conversation with Bhagawan. The year was 2000-01, I was studying in Class XII at Bhagawan’s Higher Secondary School.

Each afternoon was a festival of joy as Swami used to spend hours speaking to students & staff with most of conversations being driven by Anil Kumar Sir.  Swami would be seated where today His Throne is placed at Sai Kulwant Hall with Anil kumar Sir at His lotus feet on the step below.  That day I was seated in the first row but away from Swami & Sir and hence wasn’t able to hear their conversation.

Apparently, Sir was praising the devotion boys had for Swami as all boys were trained to reply, “We come from you, Swami” whenever Swami posed the common question “Where do you come from”.

To test Sir’s hypothesis that ALL students would give such reply, Swami turned to me and asked the ethereal question which can be interpreted either as a sweet ice breaker or a deep reminder of man’s eternal quest. “WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?” asked Swami to me

Given my low spiritual quotient & not having context of their conversation, I stuck to simply replying ” Swami, Bombay”

Swami looked at Anil Kumar Sir who gave back his typical sheepish, humorous look of embarrassment. That look made Swami break into a peal of laughter. Swami & everyone had a good laugh at Sir’s & my cost.

Decades passed since then & I never had chance to have long conversations with Sir. But he would always give you such a warm smile filled with recognition & love.

The world will miss Sir’s energetic talks & laughter which was inspired by divinity. I hope I can always have a smiling face as a tribute to this blessed messenger, friend & devotee of Bhagawan.

Dinesh Talreja, MBA 2006, Prashanti Nilayam