Ravi: Such a sunny name..Apt for a guy whom I came to know a few years back, Came across as whiff of fresh thought and ideas to do things in a different way. When I interviewed him (that’s the first time I met him) he came across as a person who was technically good and knows what he is doing.. but never could place him on his interest.
He had this unique way of saying things in a very disinterested and simple way as if explaining to a kid.
Finally decided to take him in and then started a journey of more than 10 years together which was fun-filled as well as fulfilling.
He was a curious mixture of intelligence and common sense observed everything, hardly anything escaped his attention. He was in charge of a team that was undergoing a transformation and the team never knew what hit them except that they all changed or those that did not want to change were skilfully moved. With his superior knowledge and ability to connect he stopped the internal squabbles and made the team stand out as one among the best.
He had this almost uncanny premonition of what will happen and so many times he would update me somethings and say I might need to know, Usually this will be needed in a meeting which was not supposed to discuss that subject. Still don’t know how he managed to get a whiff of what will be discussed where ? It was such a relief to know I will get the information I want and when it is needed.
On a personal front he was a gem to have for a conversation, He listened to everyone with the same interest and understanding, he could talk about biology chemistry and space technology with the same confidence and most of the time he could teach a bit of something to everyone he came across. If up for a debate he could out beat persons who were already adept in the field. If he respected someone rest assured that that someone had something that was very rare.
In the set of friends we used to call him Roogle ( Ravi +Google) as we did not have to refer google if he was around and as added benefit, we had his impressions and insight on a wide variety of subjects. He was teased and made fun of for his seemingly insatiable quest for knowledge. He hated the acronym but enjoyed it too for the recognition.
We used to tease him about his brand selection. Ravi was always conscious of what he wears or drives etc., it need not be a great brand but it should have some qualities and value he always looked for.. We used to tease that if he bought a brand (not so famous)) then we can be sure that is a brand that will come up in future as “The Brand”.
He was one sport who hated losing… had lot of fun competing, him losing in Cricket and swimming but there was one which he took seriously, In-fact so seriously that we stopped competing. We had a lunch meeting where two of them challenged that they can’t run 5 KM and whoever runs in a month’s time wins….Ravi took to running and I don’t think he never looked back since then.. kept on running and increasing his speed and distance by leaps and bounds… Went to Puducherry, Mumbai marathons and what have you… of course the shoe, sox, diet everything was as systematic as he always was. He was perfection personified in most of the things. There were only two places we found him not so structured … One was driving in Bangalore roads and second in our weekend parties… A man who was so particular that he would send back the whiskey if it was poured first and ice added next became a child blaming, sulking and challenging all after some time.
He was gentle but commanding, soft but firm and sensitive but tough about what he wanted… really a rare combination. He had his own set of friends and seemed to know all the gossip in town which he will inform those who need where needed.
His capacity for information collection was unparalleled, he could be talking about complex motor mechanics and switch to pups behaviour or bees in certain conditions and he will have the same authority and command over the subject in both. He would really test the knowledge of his friends and that would sometimes drive us crazy. But everyone who knew him understood why he did it and loved his banter.
Once when we were together I remember him advising that I was spending a lot of time building a team professionally and may be losing on personal family time..It stayed with me because in a world where everyone took things for granted here was one who worried about me.
We shared a great friend-mentor relationship over the time and would switch roles… and I always knew he would always be true and tell what is good for me as is.
He was so observant and seemed to know what everybody wanted and what is needed to get that. I have never seen a more sensitive guy who could sense the pulse of a team and the individuals…
It was hard to accept that something like COVID could affect you and take you away from all of us. You were so fit and careful as always.
Miss you Roogle
