Here is the text of Ashish's remembrances from the Memorial:
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“Hey Shala.” is a voice that I look forward to hearing . It is also a voice that all the Sens have grown to love over the past six years.
“Shala” is an affectionate endearment in Bengali for brother in law. Our “Shala” is also special..
Like that eternal Beatles classic, “Sha la la la,” Shala – “you touch my heart ”- all our hearts. In many ways, “Shala” you continue to do so.
29th, September, the eve of my mother’s 77th birthday. We heard the news that you had moved on a few days earlier. My wife - Munira, my son - Mikhail, and myself were yet to find a present for Ma. As we trudged along Bangalore’s Mahatma Gandhi Road (on which you’ve walked several times), I despaired of finding the present of our choice. I can’t remember ‘exactly’ what I said at that point, but my son told me that I should stop being “fulish.” Exactly like you say: “fulish”.
I pointed this out to Mikhail .He pointed out that we should turn the corner. We did – in more ways than one. As we did , the magic happened. The elusive kaftan beckoned from a brightly lit shop window. It looked so good , we decided to get a couple.
Thank you for that special shared experience - and for making magic on Ma’s birthday.
“Shala”/ Eberth was also special because he gave us the privilege of crossing borders . We assumed the mantle of the Alarcons for a single day , when he married Asha - my sister . According to the Indian/Brahmo custom of marriage , the bride and groom are given away by members of their respective families. During the ceremony in Bangalore , that privilege came to Munira, Mikhail, my aunt and myself. We represented his family (Incidentally , he wore the Indian dhoti with aplomb). The rest is history –today, tomorrow, forever.
And so, importantly, you , “Shala” are also brother.
In the six years or so that we’ve connected - thank you , Shala, for so many shared experiences :
For giving Mikhail a sense of ‘ ”Ecquadorial fun”
For sharing New Year’s Eve 2004 at Ferns with Munira and myself ,
For the discussions which enabled us to cross borders – political , social , and familial.
For helping us to understand the wisdom of Ganesha and therefore Happiness.
There are so many more experiences,” Shala,” but in this delineated time/space , I want thank you for a very, very, special experience.
When we met at Fairview hospital in Minneapolis in July 2006, you mentioned that that you’d like to talk at length. (It was just before the stem cell transplant). I don’t know how much we talked , but thank you for giving me insights into many languages – spoken and unspoken .
Thank you for exemplifying courage and bravery under fire and demonstrating the power of now
Thank you for helping me to believe that past, present and future are all one.
and demonstrating that it is possible :
“To dream the impossible dream,
To right the un rightable wrong…..
To reach the unreachable star.
To follow that star …….
No matter how weary,
No matter how far. ”
Thank you God, for giving us Eberth.
Thank you, Eberth, for Being.
Salut.
Salaam.
Shakti.
Munira, Mikhail, Ashish