Monday, May 03, 2010

Gone with the wind

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains!

-- Kahlil Gibran

Few people make a profound impact in your life, and to lose them is akin to losing life itself. 

This is about a man who lettered to me compassion, excellence, language, wit and nuances of life itself! As a renowned educationist whose standards often surpassed excellence, he was a visionary whose courage to embrace change remains unparalleled. His steadfastness and commitment to educate many generations and liberate them by bringing into their lives a new light has often been remarked as commendable and has been appreciated in multitudes. 

So when the news was broken to me that he passed away, my grief, although unexpressed, knew no bounds! But soon, I found comfort in Rajaji's words in his rendition of the Mahabharata, which I have recounted here before, that "It is not true wisdom to be impatient with Death or to grieve immoderately for those who die. There is no reason to pity those who pass away. We may have reason indeed to grieve for those who remain."

But what strikes me most is how he left us, like how Kenny Rogers rightly sang in the Gambler that "the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep." 

Footnotes:

My beloved Uncle, scion of our family, guide, philosopher and friend left us at this time, and will be missed forever! He, who showed us direction and light, earnestly and selflessly, will be celebrated for all time to come! He continues to live on, in our hearts and minds and will do so for time immemorial and has thus attained immortality! 

29 comments:

  1. I am sorry to hear that, but I am sure about one thing he will be remembered...
    we need to take inspiration from him, and make sure that we live in such a way that we will also be remembered

    god bless

    Shahid

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  2. sad indeed....his guidance and inspiratin will remain with you forever........

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  3. We all have to leave one day or the other; some will be remembered more than others!

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  4. I'm so so so sorry to read it from your uncle :(((
    Take care ...............

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  6. Sorry for the loss...but sure you would be glad to have known such a wonderful person..learnings from whom shall stay with you.

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  7. commiserations..
    indeed his wisdon shall guide you through the life..
    Be well.

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  8. Shahid

    Thanks for your condolences and kind words!

    I'm sure he will play a very positive role in my life, even though not present in form!

    Rakesh

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  9. Lakshmi

    Thanks for your comforting words!

    Rakesh

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  10. Peter

    Indeed, that is perhaps the ultimate truth!

    Rakesh

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  11. Anya

    Thanks very much for your condolences!

    Rakesh

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  12. Ajeya

    Thanks very much!

    Indeed, he will remain my mentor and guide for all time to come!

    Rakesh

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  13. Aria

    Thanks very much for your kind words! Deeply appreciate it!

    Rakesh

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  14. I am sad to hear this. But his spirit, inspiration and wisdom will always guide you and you will never miss him.

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  15. Rakesh
    As usual, your style of posting as usual makes it an interesting read. And, yes, inspiration is what we have to draw from someone of this kind. Kudos.

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  16. Really sorry to read this. Certain things are just not in our hands. May his soul rest in peace.

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  17. My heartfelt condolences. As your rightly pointed out from the great epic, it is not wise to grieve immoderately.
    But needless to say, a loss as this will always come with agony and pain. May God give you the strength to march over and carry forward all the teachings of your uncle.

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  18. That is really sad. Fellow blogger Peter is right "As We all have to leave one day or the other; some will be remembered more than others!

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  19. thanks for making us remember him on this auspicious day.he was not only good poet but also good social reformer,revolutionary and a great patriot

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  20. Sleeping Beauty

    Indeed, Tagore was a wonderful person..... rather many wonderful people in one person!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  21. Rajesh

    Thanks very much! Your words are very comforting indeed!

    Rakesh

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  22. Vibu

    Thanks very much! And yes, inspiration is what we must draw from such people!

    Rakesh

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  23. Vimmuuu

    Thanks pal! Certain things, as you said, are truly not in our hands!

    Rakesh

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  24. Issam

    Many thanks mate!

    Such a loss surely evokes a great deal of emotion, which time, I pray, will eventually heal!

    Rakesh

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  25. Deepak

    Right, we all have to pass away one day! The comfor lies in the cherishing of many wonderful memories and the legacy that shall remain forever!

    Rakesh

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