Wednesday, May 28, 2008

for SHAYAAN

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
( from Alfred Tennyson's "Crossing The Bar" )


On 24 May, lost my former-student, Shayaan Chowdhury in a car-accident. Shayaan had been so full of life that I find it hard to believe he has left this world. Parents and teachers hope to leave behind something for the younger generation, and so, when a student dies, a teacher is left with soul-searching questions. I find that Shayaan has left behind a legacy for me: appreciation of life and spontaneously reaching out to others.

The gift of life can be taken back from a person at any point of time.
So, what does a person do?
Shayaan has taught me: reach out, reach out and reach out to others with happiness and love.

The roles reversed; in life I had taught Shayaan; in death he has taught me.......

Shayaan, wherever you may be right now, please read the feelings behind these words and know that I love you very much.

6 comments:

Mahreen said...

very touching, and the feelings behind the writing are so raw and transparent, it does 'reach out' to anyone who reads it.

Shilpan said...

I'm sorry to hear about the loss. years ago, my brother died at age 16. I was seven years old then. I remember that a person who was considered a street gangster cried and mourn to everyone's surprise. Later we found out that before he died, my brother at a young age of 16 requested this gangster to rethink about his life and do things for common good for the humanity. My brother made a difference in this world and I'll always be proud of him.

KParthasarathi said...

@gmail.com"reach out and reach out to others with happiness and love" What a splendid message.You must abe more than a teacher- a mentor,a guide and a friend to your wards.

vidya said...

i wrote something, which i considered it as crap even though it came from inside.. but u have put in ur heart there.. its visible from ur words..gr8.. keep on writing, and let it be an inspiration for everyone..

Whirlwind said...

A beautiful and poignant piece indeed. Its remarkable as how a persons death can teach one lifes greatest lesson and that which isnt truly imbibed when the person was alive. My grandads sudden bereavement taught me not to take anything for granted and thats been the biggest chapter he has ever taught me in comparison to the ones he used to during his existence.

Ayesha Parveen said...

Swetha,
Thank you for your kind comment.sad to hear about your grandfather's passing away. indeed, nothing can be taken for granted in this world.