A mournful heart brings forth an elegy to our beloved Professor Arya, whose mortal life has come to an end. But we will forever rejoice and be thankful to God for the blessing his days on this earth have been. Education plays a vital role in every person’s life. And a key part of it not only lies in the accumulation of knowledge in various subjects but also the life truths of great men and women that have traversed this sojourn on earth. Ancient, medieval and modern greats: of war and peace, arts and science and everything that man’s mind has been able to get a grasp of. And as one grows from child to man or woman, we do come across some great people who leave that indelible mark on you; People par excellence in their field, people who inspire you with their vision and people of noble word and deed. Friends, ladies and gentlemen, our dear departed, Professor Arya was a perfect example of that.
The BIM phase was akin to days in a mother’s womb, growing tissues of tenacity, and muscles of mettle and limbs of learning. And there were quite a few ‘moments of truth’ encountered by each one of us. Events, Electives, Encounters, Exams, etc., But there is one common. Truly, it is our tryst with Prof. Arya. The first director of BIM, the pillar of BIM over the years, a finance professor of the highest order, a disciplinarian who is revered, a teacher whose youthful exuberance and energy puts to shame all the sleepyheads hardly one third his age and that love so pure that can make time stop still when you heard your phone ring, picked the call and heard his voice say Happy Birthday. We miss you sir, miss you so much.
Had I been a Wordsworth or a Shakespeare I would have written an Ode. But I stand here as one among the hundreds of blessed young people in this rich land … yes rich land who have received the wealth of top notch education and pristine values; a student of Prof. Arya. And hence I offer what I can. A Prayer of Thanksgiving to God and that of comfort and solace to the bereaved. May his soul rest in peace. God bless you.