Dear Friends we are deeply saddened to share this news of the tragic and untimely demise of Rajesh Sekhar (IIM-L)(89-91) in the late night of Sunday, 19th Nov 2006.
The end came without a warning and too quickly. The doctors have said that it was a sudden heart failure. He was 39.
He leaves behind his wife,Vasanthi (89-91 from IIM C) and daughter Sanjana.
The family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support of friends and colleagues. We understand many of you would like to share your feelings and havent been able to make it personally to pay your homage. We would like you to use this blog to celebrate Rajeshs life and his association with you and joining his friends and colleagues in praying for his soul and giving strength to his family to bear this tragic loss.
Pls add your comments here and share this link with others who have known Rajesh.
23 comments:
It was shocking for all of us at Relinace Treasury. We just can't forget his ever smiling (particularly with his thick mustache) face even though we parted ways 8 years back.
this is sundar here. the room-mate for those 2 years between june of 89 & march of 91.
odd couple we made. he was the quintessential polished south delhi wallah, although the roots were somewhere in kerala & had folks in bangalore for some time prior. i was the typical, rough on the edges tamilian, though i had spent most of my growing years in delhi & jammu.
he wouldn't hit the sack till 2 am & wake up j-i-t for class, often upon considerable prodding. i couldn't keep my eyes open beyond 11 & closed beyond 6.
yet, we got along. it wasn't a close warm relationship early on, we'd even had a semi-drunken, on-the-streets brawl early in the morning after one of those parties, bickered over time spent in the loo & the consequent shortage of water; but we made the adjustments that sharing a room for the first time force people to make. the fact that we had different body clocks helped.
i learnt a lot from sheks, even in his mid 20's; lessons that stand me still in good stead. the studied casual appearance belied a competitive interior. he'd perfected the art of keeping his emotions, particularly anger, in check, something i still struggle with.
i'd caught up with him maybe a dozen times since we left campus, a couple of times at his parents' place in kormangala, bangalore, a couple of times in delhi, a few in bombay when he was with reliance and so on. each time i think we were getting to know each other better..
the one regret i have is that i didn't get to know sheks better than i did. we'd have made better chums after i had out-grown &/or shed my inhibitions & been more comfortable with who i am.
never got to meet the family, but the heart goes out to them. i've a 9 year old daughter myself & can somehow connect with the angst of that kid, just like i would with that of my own.
i'll have to muster the steel to go and meet his parents next week.
give me strength, sheks!
Thanks for putting this blog together. A great way for Rajesh's friends from around the world to share their memories and send our wishes of comfort to Sanjana and Vasanthi.
I'm writing from Minnesota where I had the pleasure of working with Vasanthi. Over the course of the years they were here I had many interactions with Rajesh. He was a wonderfully gracious host. I remember a very sweet and loving husband and father. You could always see the special relationship he had with Vasanthi and Sanjana.
May God grant Vasanthi and Sanjana the strength and courage to get thru this very difficult time.
We are all blessed for having known Rajesh, his memory will live on in all of us.
With love,
Marie, Ron, Ari, Morgan and Michelle
Rajesh Sekhar (Sekhs) was my classmate for those two wonderful years at IIM Lucknow (89-91) and without doubt, the coolest and calmest individual that I had ever met in my educational life. He was a veritable ocean of tranquility amidst a rather chaotic and brutally competitive class.
Never ever was he loud or boastful and rarely ever did I see him lose his temper and even, on those occasions he recovered his ground very quickly. Yet, those that mistook his serene demeanor for complacency got what they fully deserved, like I did on the first few occasions that I competed with him at “Just-A-Minute” sessions. Rest assured, I learnt the lesson quickly – he could give you an absolute walloping and that too with a wonderful smile on face and often, with a cigarette close to him LL
And of course, he had a fantastic sense of humor and a brilliant way of telling a story!!
Yes, Sheks, we are definitely going to miss you – the coolest one of the all !!
Our prayers are with his wife, child and family at this very sad and difficult time in their lives.
Thanks and kind regards
Sriraman, Spring (89-91)
Sydney, Australia
Rajesh Sekhar (Sekhs) was my classmate for those two wonderful years at IIM Lucknow (89-91) and without doubt, the coolest and calmest individual that I had ever met in my educational life. He was a veritable ocean of tranquility amidst a rather chaotic and brutally competitive class.
Never ever was he loud or boastful and rarely ever did I see him lose his temper and even, on those occasions he recovered his ground very quickly. Yet, those that mistook his serene demeanor for complacency got what they fully deserved, like I did on the first few occasions that I competed with him at “Just-A-Minute” sessions. Rest assured, I learnt the lesson quickly – he could give you an absolute walloping and that too with a wonderful smile on face and often, with a cigarette close to him LL
And of course, he had a fantastic sense of humor and a brilliant way of telling a story!!
Yes, Sheks, we are definitely going to miss you – the coolest one of the all !!
Our prayers are with his wife, child and family at this very sad and difficult time in their lives.
Thanks and kind regards
Sriraman, Spring (89-91)
Sydney, Australia
May God give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Regards
Sekhs was also my classmate at IIM Lucknow for those two years between 1989-91. The lingering memory of Sekhs that I had from the IIML days was his bushy moustache and the ever-present cigarette in his mouth - he always seemed to be cool, pensive and I still remember his laughter. About a decade and a half forward from that time, I met Sekhs again when he and his family moved to Connecticut. We met at an IIML alumni party in Edison, New Jersey and the first thing I remember Sekhs telling me was, "Brando - it has been such a long time and I am so glad to see you". The one thing I noticed was that his bushy moustache was gone but it was still the same Sekhs. We ended up talking a lot remembering our IIML days. It was so good to see him again and his wife, Vasanthi and daughter, Sanjana.
We met again a few months later at Sanjoy's place and spent a great time together with all our families. It has been such a terrible shock at this sudden loss - and I pray for his soul and I hope God gives his wife and daughter the strength that they need.
We are a small family, this IIML 1991 batch, and although most of us are geographically so far apart, there are a few of us in the area of CT/NY/NJ. We are planning to provide all the support and help that Vasanthi and Sanjana will need - I know Sekhs would want us to do this - it has been a long association with Sekhs ever since those IIML days. And although we will miss him dearly, our prayers and support will be with his wife, daughter and family in this difficult period.
With Love,
Kaushik (Brando).
It's too soon, it's unfair. We have lost a dear buddy.
I really can't pen the many memories that tumble over each other while writing this - actually, I did not think I had what it takes to put something here - but seeing the way some of us have come forth gives me courage.
The last I spoke to Sheks was only about 15 days ago. We spoke for a long time - discussing all topics that popped up - perhaps one of the thing I will miss most - being able to throw ideas and get great verbal duels going, in a way, most probably it's a trait present in all of us.
And as for memories - let me share something I will always remember. Our chess sessions in Lucknow. Sheks was the chess champ to beat, Loomba and I would typically take him on - and mostly get thrashed with a warning - "...watch it - two moves and you are mate ...". At times we would have the rest of the gang looking over our shoulders and it would turn into a team game - Sheks against "us". Even then, he would take us out - repeatedly.
It will take time for all of us to come to terms with him not being around. My prayers are with Vasanthi and Sanjana - may God give them strength to deal with this immensely difficult period of time.
Sheks, you are in a better place.. but, we miss you a lot..
Ani.
IIML 89-91
Well done for the blog! Rajesh would have been impressed and is probably smilling at us now.
Rajesh will be missed by us all. Great guy that was a joy to be with - always.
Vasanthi and Sanjana, we love you both and look forward to looking back with fond memories of times together with Rajesh.
Michelle & Charles
I graduated from IIML a decade after Sheks graduated..
Reading about him on this blog and in the egroups leaves me extremely sad that I never had the opportunity of meeting him. I sincerely pray to god to give his family and friends all the courage and strength to come to terms with this unbearable loss.
-Ramu
My father was a great man. Although his physical presence no longer walks across this earth, his spirit and his words will live forever, mostly in my heart. He taught me lessons which I will never forget, lessons that will help me forever. The three I remember the most are: "You can take the horse to the water but you can't make it drink.", "Assumptions are the mother of all mess-ups." and "Get what you want or you'll be forced to like what you get."
When he first told me this, I thought "yeah whatever." Now, as I grow up, I see that every word my father ever spoke was true, and I realize that God gave me a gift by giving me this father. He now watches over all who knew him and all who need him. He will always have a golden heart, wherever he is.
I would like to thank everyone who knew my dad for letting him have such a wonderful life.
Sanjana Sekhar
Although, I have only know Mr. Sekhar through the years that sanjana and I have been best friends, I know from what Sanjana told me that, he was a wonderful man. Since, this tragic loss, I've learned you should make every minute last an eternity. I give my deepest sympythy to the whole Sekhar Family.
From, Sammy (Sanjana's best friend)
My best friend, my husband, philosopher and guide - that was/is Rajesh to me. He taught me to trust my instinct, to understand life from other people's perspectives, to think out-of-the-box, to be serene in all kinds of circumstances, to care for others selflessly but subtly, to believe in myself, and so much, much more. To champion actively things that matter to you, to make your voice heard and not be silent for every mind's independent thought should be respected - this i learnt from him. Recognition never mattered to him for whatever he did -he believed that the reward was in the doing...another valuable lesson.
We walked together on life's journey for 12 short years - but I have known a lifetime's worth of the most intense love - that will sustain me now and forever. I thank God for Rajesh's love, his lessons and for his precious gift - Sanjana. I will always be his partner. May peace be with him, always.
I thank you all for all the caring and support you have shown - Sanjana and I are indeed fortunate to have family and friends like you.
Rajesh Uncle played with me and recorded how i played football.He bought me the football with which I became a good football player and scored Most goals!.He was a very creative person. Now i am stranded with nobody to play with.Now there is no person who doesn't scream at me.i will miss him a lot.
SUKRIT
Sanjana has been one of the greatest friends to me, and from her I know that Mr. Sekhar was kind and amazing man through and through. Everyone will miss Mr. Sekhar dearly, and I know that he was a great person surrounded by so many people who loved him and still do. Now I know through this tragic event that you should cherish every precious moment of time with everyone who cares for you. I give my deepest sympathy to the Sekhar family.
Love, Maya (Sanjana's best friend)
My sincerest condolences Vasanthi.
Rajesh...my first memories of interaction with him were on his wedding day in Bangalore.....in an instant my fiercely protective nature towards Vasu(Vasanthi)melted...for i saw before me a serene, grounded, wonderful person. Over the years i grew to know him much better as a super intelligent person, so humble, brutally frank about his opinions, passionate about his work and family. His humility, genius and alacrity to help people amazed me over and over. I only got the opportunity to see him as the most amazing father to Sanjana and a complete partner to Vasu in all respects.
Rajesh, you are forever with us in our hearts and souls, you have left behind memories that will last several lifetimes and we cherish those very, very fondly.
Rajesh.....this is really before the deadline.......my salaam!
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband and father. Raj was a good man. -CDG
I only had the pleasure of knowing Raj for a few short months, but he was an extremely hard working man who gave everything he had to the task at hand.
He was someone you could count on and always seemed happiest when talking about the time he spent with Vasanthi and Sanjana.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family as Raj will be missed.
Dan Murphy
I had the pleasure of knowing Rajesh as a senior, a good friend and above all, a nice person.
Weekends with Rajesh, Vasanthi and Sanju were great fun in Minneapolis. It was a group of 3 families (another L alumnus and her family n us n Sekhars) who would meet often. Our chat sessions would go on onto the night. Rajesh loved kids and the kids loved him!
He will be missed.
Krishna Gubili
Dear Vasanthi,
We were stunned to hear the tragic news about Rajesh. Please know we are thinking of you and Sanjana. We send all our love and deepest sympathy.
Angelique, Sue and Lucy
I have known Sheks since our days together at IIM,L. What struck you as soon as you met him was his wonderful smile that just lit up his eyes and warmed all around him. Then I knew him also for his dry humor and calm demeanor. We never saw him flustered. Later Bala and I got to spend time with him & Vasanthi & Sanjana in Bomaby. Those were great times - having lunch at Sheks' favorite buffet, watching Sanjana's performances or just spending New Years eve sitting around and watching the fireworks from their apartment in Bandra. We had fun. However what made Sheks extra special to us was the support he gave us in our time of need. He was always there when we needed, his comforting presence over the regular phone calls have helped us live through our pain - now what do we do Sheks?
I regret that I won't have another New Years eve with him, I regret we did not make it to Grand Canyon together.... but most of all I regret that I did not tell him how special he was/is.
Vasanthi/ Sanjana - We feel your pain, know that nothing can make this pain go away, please remember we are there with you and for you, always.
Sutapa
Rajesh was a rare commodity in today’s world…..a simple straight forward guy with honesty and humility being his greatest virtues. He was always there to help others and someone you could always turn to for advice. It was a privilege to have him as a friend and he will be sorely missed.
While Rajesh’s going is so untimely, memories of time spent with him will always be cherished.
Vasanthi / Sanjana : Our prayers are with you as you go through this very difficult period in your lives.
James Verghese
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