An Ode to my Loving friend — Anurag
Contributed by Vipin Mittal who is our school friend- Jaipur Xavier
It was the month of July and the year maybe 1994. Fed up of the Jaipur heat everyone was praying for the rains. One fine day it did start raining and after a few minutes I heard a bicycle bell — someone was calling me out. I went out I saw my friend Anurag on his bike, fully soaked in the rain. He wanted me to accompany him (without raincoats) with the sole objective of getting wet. And there we went , cycling on the streets of Jaipur, meeting friends on our way, enjoying the rains. As kids, playing in the rain is very common, but this was 24 year old Anurag ! This is what Anurag was — child like enthusiasm, full of life and positivity, enjoyed small things in life and in the process spread happiness and joy around. Well he enjoyed small things but aimed for the biggest and the best in life. Fiercely competitive — be it the friendly cricket matches on the school fields, debates, plays or academics. The fact that he conquered two of the world’s toughest competitive exams of our times viz JEE and Civil Services , eliminates the need to elaborate further about his caliber. But that’s not what he will be remembered for, at least I would always remember him as an outstanding human being with exceptional qualities.
While all my school mates were fortunate to have him in school I was a bit more fortunate as post school and IIT, he started living very close to my house in Civil Lines. My best memories of Anurag are of the days when both of us were preparing for the Civil Services Exam. He would never talk ill about anyone, never keep any harsh feelings for anyone, an embodiment of honesty, humility and level headedness, an obedient and caring child of equally noble parents. I recall how after every exam where he had to write an essay, he would narrate what he had written to his mother and seek her feedback. Something which he told me he had followed his entire school life. Civil Services was indeed a tough exam to crack but Anurag was tougher and eventually he came out with flying colors securing 80th rank. I remember him attributing his phenomenal success to “kismat “ and God’s grace. We were all bewildered by his choice of Service IPS as we wondered how this naïve guy will manage this tough job but hearing his accomplishments as an IPS officer, he proved us wrong.
With his posting in Assam our interactions reduced. However Anurag ensured that his tall stature did not weaken the friendship by not missing out on occasions like wedding, wishing on birthdays etc. It was always a joy and pleasure to meet him and therefore I never missed any opportunity of meeting him. When he was posted in Delhi in NIA , on my way back from a wedding on way to the airport I dropped by at his office. His cabin had a world map in front of him with some red dots here and there. This was again Anurag’s way of creating excitement and keeping people guessing about the meaning of red dots while he enjoyed and laughed making people believe that it is really some closely guarded secret. During this fun he asked me from where he could source an abridged easy version of the Holy Geeta to be gifted to his juniors in the police force during a training session being conducted by him — again depicting his unique thought process. We had lunch together and he offered me the best fried rice I had ever had. While getting into my car, I saw the box of sweets which I had got as a return gift from the wedding. I told Anurag that I don’t want to carry it and gave it to him. Anurag took that box from me with shining eyes like a child would cling on to a toy. Imagine being gifted something after being told that it was not a gift meant for you! While you may still reluctantly or grudgingly accept it but not the way Anurag did — this was simplicity unheard of and somehow I never forgot that incident. During our school silver jubilee reunion we saw him touching every single teachers feet — a gesture unheard of in this generation of ours. it was his way of expressing his gratitude towards them. This was in 2013.
Time flew by. Life was very hectic and meetings with him very rare till in 2019 came to know of his presence in Mumbai for a major surgery. He kept visiting Mumbai thereafter. While undergoing medical treatment he made the best of Mumbai weather and posted pictures of his enjoying the Mumbai rains on Juhu beach. The 24 year old was now turning 50 but was still the same despite a surgery! This time He had his rock solid support — his wife, Anuradha by his side. In Feb’20 he visited again and thinking that this was his last trip to Mumbai as he is fully cured now, I organized this get together of school friends and families at my house. The Mumbai group keeps meeting occasionally but thanks to Anurag this turned out to be the best party ever. He entertained us to the fullest and we loved every moment of his company. He surprised everyone by ordering flowers and after playing a “guess the flower name” game with the ladies , handed over one one flower to all the ladies in the party. This was his way of gifting them , a small one but packed with precious memories .
For one year we met on zoom calls once or twice and exchanged simple “how are you” text messages. His silence on the what’s app groups un-nerved me. Knowing Anurag, he was not someone to keep quiet on the groups. I met him last in Bangalore in Feb’21. It was in this meeting that first time in my life I had seen a different Anurag — worried and tired. He still did not reveal anything and I also did not probe him. But could make out that all is not well. He finished his food and as usual insisted on sharing the “chaas” with me. Lied down on the bed and we kept chatting for a good hour or so. He sought my advice about buying an apartment, talked a lot about his daughter’s career choice, about some book on mythology he had recently read etc.etc. Today when I look back at the turn of events, I feel so happy that I met him and even took some pictures with this hero who knew best to pose for pictures , though a bit low his pose was still picture perfect while I tried my level best to match his. He would correct everyone’s pose before the picture, but today there was no such correction suggested.
And now he is gone. Is he really ? It took the storm quite a while to overpower this brave man. By the time he got taken over he had already left an indelible mark on the people and world around him. He had already dug a deep mine, full of beautiful memories for friends and family. He had already set new benchmarks of serving society with honesty and integrity. An epitome of simplicity and human attributes he can never be forgotten. Therefore he is very much alive and continues to live forever in our hearts and memories. Dear Anurag, keep smiling , we are there and will always be there with you and your family.
