Some of My Memories of Late Prof. Shamnad Basheer

May 14 is the birth anniversary of late Prof. Shamnad Basheer. I don't think there was a bigger influence in my career than him. I was lucky to have watched him and worked with him up close at NUJS. Here are some memories:

1. My first memory is of him at a conference. He was a star speaker. He ripped apart a few foreign "experts". He didn't hold back. I was mesmerized.

2. Second memory: I had written him an email asking for advice on IPR careers. He called him to his chamber.

His office had a bicycle (never saw that in any other professor's room).

His room smelt of Bamboo and some cool incense (never smelt that in a professor's room either). He seemed quirky. He seemed someone we could aspire to be like.

3. Third memory: We went to Pelling in Sikkim for IDIA's first pilot project. I worked closely with him there. He was fun. He made deep connections with people in an instant. I have never ever seen anyone do that.

4. Fourth memory: As luck would have it, we were at Agamishala together. He had gotten very weak and being his ex-student I got him dinner. His last two pieces of advice still ring in my ear:

Him: So are you dating anyone?

Me: Yes, sir. But I start thinking logically and...

Him: Tanuj, YOU HAVE LOST IT! Love and logic don't mix. Love is one of the few forces which helps us transcend the limits of logic.

X

Me: Sir, how do you still have so much energy?

Him: Tanuj, I am not my body. I am not my body.