The Last Lunch

I am now in a new city, totally stranger and alone. I certainly do not know anyone except for few co-workers. I have left behind so many things, people and moments. But, all of them together form me. It's a Saturday, where I can sit and contemplate, in retrospect or in future. Past few weeks have been totally hectic and exciting. Traveling all across the country on a train and bus, to slow down the pace of life and observe. Meeting strangers, making new friends and meeting old friends. Life has been good a little tough though with lots to learn. My past 6 years after I left BHU have been so so incredibly hard on me that one point of time I felt I need to give up. But, then there was something which I call Hope.. it kept me. Suddenly, I feel like writing about that one Man who is the only one who was supportive throughout for 5 years. Yes, that's my adviser. Dr Bakshi. In a sense he was my employer, but nothing less than a father figure. He himself has done a lot, tried to change the whole system (failed and learnt). But what is life to have never tried ? I learn from him and I ponder how he manages to infuse so much enthusiasm to everyone he meets. So, before I was setting out from Columbus (where I did my PhD and stayed for 5 years) he called for a farwell lunch. We went out as a group. Had fun, talked so much, work, research and in general life. And Dr Bakshi's awesome Son - Harshal !. He never preaches or anything, he just observes and act very patiently and with compassion with you. He is a true leader. Not manager because he believes in leading and not managing everything you do ! (From him I learnt, we need to be Leaders and Not managers... if you lead well results follow !). In the final Farewell he said - "Life is always made up of Positives and Negatives and If you focus on Positive for even 60 % of your lifetime you have lived your life well. And That is all That matters". His words will be with me always. He has inspired, guided and taught me a lot. Mixed with determination and grit to take Life by its horns and keep moving. Nothing is ever going to stop me, because I had met this Father figure, who was not preachy but a leader by his action.

So, whererver you are ! Keep Living and Keep Inspiring ! You never know how many lives you touch.


Live, Love, Laugh and Inspire ... !

Shweta