Eulogy for Ashish

Before I begin, I’d like to start with a verse in Urdu and a prelude:

کہاں تک سنوگے کہاں تک سنائیں

ہزاروں ہیں باتیں کہاں تک بتائیں

Kahaan tak sunno gay kahaan tak sunaey

Hazaroon hain batain kahaan tak bataey

For how far (how much) will you listen, for how far (how much) I’ll be able to tell.

For there are thousands of stories to be told, for how much I’ll be able to convey.

Ashish: A blessing, that’s what his name means, and what a pure blessing he remains to all of us to this day. Very few people possess a magnetic personality that can draw the whole world toward them. This happens only when one has a pure and strong moral character. Very few individuals in our lives have the ability to inspire, motivate, spread love and harmony, and touch our hearts and souls. We often think of legendary speakers and activists of the past and present, but recently, this inspiration came from an innocent, pure-hearted young man whom I had the privilege to call my nephew.

I met Ashish for the first time during the tail end of his life’s journey when he was extremely sick. He was a selfless being full of positive energy. The pain of losing a dear one never gets better, but we learn to live with the pain. And energy never dies, it just takes a different form, for we mortal beings cannot perceive it. Though he is no longer with us in this material world, Ashish lives on in our hearts and in the selfless works of every individual here, whose vision and efforts are seen by all of us today, manifesting themselves in various forms.

Now, I would like to share my homage to our beloved son, nephew, friend, and incredible human being — Ashish: a blessing to all, in the form of a letter. My dearest, kindest, sweetest, most gentle, and caring Ashish,

Our beautiful but short spiritual story of an aunt and a nephew began on an evening in September 2021 when I met your parents for the first time. Though not related by blood, an incredibly strong connection was felt. It was a bond that could only be created by God. I vividly remember that evening when I met your mom, who captivated my heart and unexpectedly shook me to my very core. She shared the journey of your illness thus far, and I could feel her anguish and helplessness, along with her unwavering assurance, filled with determination and conviction that her son would be alright. Only a mother can possess such steadfast faith.

That evening, you were in your room, and the door was closed. I offered your mom some prayers to recite, to keep her faith alive. I didn’t even see you, but I sensed a deep connection—an unexplainable bond of God’s mercy and love. When I returned home, I was deeply touched and couldn’t sleep the entire night. I kept thinking about the precious son of a precious mom who would do anything and everything to save her son’s life. That’s how mothers are. The next time I visited your home, I met you for the very first time. You were lying in bed–serene, calm, and composed. You were so pleasant to talk to, and despite your debilitating ailment, you had a cheerful demeanor. From that day onward, we became the best of friends. Isn’t it amazing how we spend our entire lives trying to connect with people around us, and then suddenly we meet total strangers and feel as if we have known each other for eternity? That’s exactly how I felt about you. It was a deep spiritual connection, unexplainable and beyond the material realms of this world. Every time we met, I sensed a strong soul residing within you—a soul at peace with everything and everyone around, even your ailment. I never heard you complain about your condition, not even once. You were extremely patient, enduring all the suffering, and never letting anyone feel the pain. Yet, you felt the pain of everyone near you, like your mom and dad, who relentlessly and selflessly did everything they could to help you live.

You were their brilliant star, and you will continue to shine bright in heaven. You used to say to me that you felt blessed that I came into your life and that you wished you had known me before your illness when you were healthy. In response, I used to say that you wouldn’t have even noticed my existence while you were busy building your life. Isn’t it strange that though we were neighbors, our paths never crossed until the days of your sickness? My dear, we come into each other’s lives exactly when God intends us to. It is my deepest wish that I had known you earlier, during your healthy days. We could have done so many fun things together. Your passion for the culinary arts and the recipe videos you sent me from chefs made me enjoy my daily cooking even more. Your love for music and your versatile interests and hobbies amazed me. You had a beautiful knack for carrying a conversation on any topic on Earth with such ease. It was effortless for you to engage with people of all ages.

I miss your cheerful smile and witty remarks. My dear nephew, I miss you calling me “Mausi.” Oh, the love you had, to give and spread! My dear Ashish, as they say, “People come and people go; it happens every day. Though goodbye is just a simple word, I find it hard to say.” So, I will say, till we meet again. There is a saying that goes like this: Life is like a grinding stone; it can crush you down or polish you up, depending upon the material you are made of. And you, my friend, were made of gold and steel. With a heart of gold and a mind and soul of steel, you managed to be strong, cheerful, and always giving selfless love and care to others. You are the king of hearts, and you will never be forgotten. Your legacy of love and compassion will live on, not only in the hearts of your loved ones but also through your work.

Today we have gathered here to bid you farewell and celebrate the beautiful soul that you were.

Your presence in our lives was a gift, and though your time with us was brief, the impact you

made is immeasurable. Your absence is deeply felt, but the memories we shared, the love we felt, and the lessons of fortitude, forbearance, patience, perseverance, endurance and courage at the face of adversity you taught us all, will forever remain etched in our hearts.

As we say goodbye, we find solace in knowing that you are now in a place of peace and

surrounded by loved ones who have gone before you. Your spirit will continue to guide and

inspire us, reminding us of the importance of kindness, resilience, and unwavering faith. Though

our hearts ache with grief, we find comfort in the knowledge that one day, we will be reunited.

Until then, we will cherish the moments we had, honor your legacy, and strive to live our lives

with the same grace and love that you exemplified.

Farewell, dear Ashish, my beloved nephew and friend. May your soul rest in eternal peace, and

may your light continue to shine brightly in our lives. You will be forever loved and deeply

missed. You will always live in our hearts.

Loads of love and prayers always,

Your Mausi