In older age, memories may not go back to child hood. I remember Anil and I became closer during college years. Especially engineering college. He was lecturer and I was student. I used to get guidance from him and used to speak with number of his colleagues. At that time he was planning to immigrate to US. During 1971, it was not easy to for Indians to immigrate to US. Though his friends started the initiative, they backed out. I provided encouragement to my ability. After he immigrated, I noticed how his friends/colleagues in college were not as friendly. Due to expensive mail and long time for to reach letters, our communication reduced. But I was proud of him that he decided to stay in US even though none of his friends joined him at that time. He knew that I always had his back and I was strong for that. He did not indicate to others how he was pulling on in US. But I heard from him the difficulties he went through during his first return visit to Pune in 1978. He encouraged me to visit US and then decide whether I want to immigrate or return. With his encouragement I decided to quit my job and seek visa to US.

After coming to US, I picked up good habits from him such as working on the car and handyman tasks in his house and technical reading. I enjoyed my stay of about 2 years in his house. Even after I got married and moved to New Jersey we were close. Our technical/political/cultural reading was similar. We used to discuss on same subjects. Around this time Anil’s attention and time towards me started reducing compared to other friend circle. Then I moved to different southern and western states before returning to Philadelphia. After returning to Philadelphia, I realized that our past closeness is not there and he needed more space for his friend circle at that time. At one time I decided to give him all the space he needed. I felt bad when I took that decision and that we did not try to improve on that. I was always proud of him for some good habits that I picked from him and his encouragement to me to consider coming to US.

I felt really sorry when I heard after few years that he had developed Parkinson’s disease. Since we had drifted apart, we did not know about each other’s family more. My daughters were born away from Philadelphia. They did not get to know their uncle who was known to be great with kids. But I knew that he has his friend circle to depend on for help if he needed.

I feel sad that we never got to discuss about our drifting apart but it is part of life. My good habits will always remind me of him.

I wish him well in his new world.