Death of Two Friends

Two deaths within the space of two weeks, death of two friends. 

Hundreds of thousands of lives are being lost on a daily basis due to the deadly virus. We are passing through very testing and uncertain times. I have personally lost two good friends.

The world is in the vice-like grip of Coronavirus pandemic. Everyday brings some hope of vanquishing the pandemic or some sort of defense mechanism but the pandemic pulls us back by several steps. For now, we are caught in the Deadly Coronavirus Maze. Only God knows when we will come out of it

One of the two friends who died, MS, was my friend for a long time, our friendship lasting almost for over 30 years. Couple of years ago he had a heart attack and survived it due to timely help of a neighbor who was a medical doctor. 

According to the information I received, MS had a severe breathing problem last week and was admitted to a private hospital. The hospital informed the family that MS tested positive for Covid19. By the next day the hospital declared him dead, of severe pneumonia infection. The appointed agencies cremated the body according to Covid19 protocols.

I was very shocked when I heard the news. Especially because MS was very particular about his health, he was a pure vegetarian. He was dedicated to the daily routine of Surya Namaskar and Pranayama. 

MS and I were colleagues working for the same organization for a few years. From then on we remained friends until the last few years. We both returned back to India after spending over thirty years in the Middle East. 

I was very upset with him a few years ago when I realized his inclination towards certain political and social ideology. It greatly surprised and pained me that of all the people in the world, he could be inclined in his thoughts and ideals with an outfit that had a bunch of very narrow minded, ill educated, megalomaniac and racist persons. These persons are constantly peddling toxic hatred and splitting society in the name of religion, pseudo hyper nationalism and over bloated ethnocentrism. 

I knew MS as an enlightened, evolved, soft spoken, fair and broadminded person. I remember one incidence that had happened while we were in the Middle East. One unfortunate evening, his wife went to the beach along with her friend and their children. It was almost dusk. The sun was setting and the shadows were spreading fast along the sandy beach. It was also time for the fishermen to return to shore with their day’s catch and it was quite usual for businessmen to collect the fish from the fishermen in their vans and trucks. 

Suddenly, MS’s wife saw an SUV coming towards them at a great speed. By the time she reacted, it was too late. She tried to get up, screaming and pushing her friend and the children to safety. Unfortunately, the front fender of the SUV caught her face. Her face was bloody and mangled.

The Arab who was driving the SUV did not run away from the scene. He picked up the injured lady, put her in his vehicle and took her to the hospital. The police asked MS if he intended to file a case against the Arab. MS replied that there was no need to file a case as it was an accident. Moreover, he was thankful to the Arab gentleman for bringing his wife to the hospital on time, without any delay. That was good enough for the police. 

The Arab was quite moved by the gesture of MS. If he had filed a case it could have meant jail time for manslaughter and even a hefty fine. After that, the Arab visited the hospital everyday until the lady was discharged from the hospital. The doctors who attended to the injuries, did an excellent job in restoring the lady’s face.

In short that was a brief testimony of MS’s character. He believed in fairness and the spirit of “live and let live”. The fact that such a person had fallen a victim to the deception of a bunch of vile characters, came as a big surprise for me. Since then I consciously kept a distance from him and almost lost touch with him. It is a painful reality of the times we are living in, when selfish, egoistic, ill educated, power hungry politicians are splitting communities, families and friends apart.

Another friend, VJ, died this morning. He was battling infection in his lungs for the past few months. I met him only three years ago but it feels like I knew him for a long time. It is quite ironic that just yesterday my friends and I met each other in a virtual meeting room. We belong to the same BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) community. The meeting was quite conspicuous by the absence of VJ. One of the members informed us that the condition of VJ was not good, that he was on a heavy dose of painkillers.

This morning we received the sad news that VJ had died. I think the shock was lessened because of the information we received yesterday. Yet, I can't help the feeling of a heavy heart. 

Although I have known VJ briefly for a couple of years, he was one of the best human beings, very humble, righteous and down to earth. He was such a family oriented person that he took the difficulties he had with his company as an opportunity to resign and accompany his daughter to few overseas educational engagements. He was quite upbeat about the trip and the places he visited and the people he had met. It is quite unbelievable that he is no more. 

Incidentally, both MS and VJ shared the same nature. Both were ever jovial, down to earth, cool minded, and full of wit and humour and both were in the field of Information Technology. They had a funny thing to say or recount a funny incidence, whatever the circumstances may be. 

I have lost two wonderful persons during this pandemic. May their souls rest in peace!