This gentleman has been my friend for many a moon. Pushing half a century almost. I had found out some time back, thru a common friend, about some of the serious health issues he has been fighting. Himself being a doctor ,who alleviates pain for kids on a daily basis, it struck me as a bit unfair that he would have to go thru his severe health crisis.

There are stories about how when admitted to the hospital for surgery, he would go around and talk to the other patients and raise their morale level. It was like he was born to serve human beings, one way or the other.

It is with a modicum of justice from fate and a lot of discipline on his side that most of his battle is behind him. Although he will have to live with a few conditions for the rest of his life.

Now, for most of us those conditions would be emotionally, physically and mentally devastating. Not for this gentleman.

I had been wanting to see him face to face for some time. My first India trip after these many days gave me that opportunity.

That one hour that I spent with him showed to me the ultimate living proof of the aphorism – “In life, pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional!”

Thank you Sudipta for being that shining beacon that you have always been ever since I met you on that fateful morning of Jan 10, 1977 for the first time.