Of Anshu...

I know this is probably too late to write something...anything. But, I cannot really do something about it. Please do not take it as eulogy because it is not.

You probably knew Anshu Gupta , or you probably didn't ...but now you won't.

Let me begin. I knew Anshu from class 10th but we became good friends from class 11th when he came to my class. Bright,Cheerful,Crazy like the rest of us, I immediately took a liking to him. to say the least, he was an excellent right-winger,amazing batsman and bowler, supreme maths god, and an honest person and a rare friend. He had one dream he wanted to be in IIT thats all he ever wanted.

I remember asking him once "kya yaar, agar iit mei nahin hua to?" he replied " agley saal try karunga" "aur phir agar phir sey nahin hua?" he replied" Doosri baar mein to koi bhi nikaal lega, yaar!!"

I still remember the day when he first fainted...on the football field. I used to brag proudly that it was I who had tackled him just before that... The words keep coming back to haunt me and I am at a loss to explain how ashamed I feel about myself.

I remember the time we all went to Campion school for our Brilliant Tests and the football matches during the lunch time. I remember the fights and the discussions regarding football and practically everything. I remember his most oft-repeated line "Meoanna??", the tunes of "Roobaroo"the Rang Dey Basanti song(his favorite),I remeber the celebration when we all found out we were all going to be in Kgp. I keep remembereing and the memories keep coming...they are rich in detail and almost make us forget the loss.

Anshu collapsed on the cricket fields in his NSS camp. I remember the day as never before now. The frantic phone calls from friends , the running to B.C.Roy and trying to get things done,watching him being carried inside, talking to his father...; and then hearing the news from the OT.
Have you ever have had a cracker explode too near your ear?? The whole inside of your brain goes numb and there is a strange silence among the chaos. Like armageddon all around you. Like a spear that has been thrust so fast that the pain is still to come. Like ice and fire.

I know my pain is nothing as compared to what his family and relatives may have felt. Maybe I had not even felt a fraction of there suffering. I know this... that was the day I lost a very good friend. A friend I would have had for life. A friend I would have gladly been there for.

Often, in times of despair, the thought occurs...could I have done something to save him...I ask and I ask...but there is no answer. Could he have done something to save himself...again there is Silence.

May the Almighty give Peace to his soul.
May the Almighty give peace and Solace to his family.
May the Almighty give me and my friends strength to bear this incredible loss.
Amen