Dearest Arunay,

We think of you today and everyday! You continue live forever in the hearts of all those whose lives you touched with your beautiful personality. Lots of love

Arunay,

You are always in our thoughts, the soccer community misses you.

Dear Arunay,

Miss you so much!

Patty

Arunay,
I miss you a lot. We went to the same school and I don't know if you remember but we hung out a lot at Basis at the lower school. I even had a crush on you. I remember before you left you had told me: "I'll see you when I get back ok?"
You never got back. But I can hear you everywhere. You gave me a hand knit and I still have it.
I miss you and I'll never forget you!

Even though you're no longer with us, we still celebrate your life and all the wonderful memories we shared. Happy birthday to my dear Arunay. You are deeply missed.
Love Mamta aunty, Siddharth uncle and Esha

Happy Birthday Darling…. You have been special since the day you were formed. Thinking of you. May you always dazzle and brighten the lives of those around you wherever you are.

We miss you, Arunay! You are always in our hearts!

You are always fondly remembered. Happy birthday Arunay.

Happy Birthday Arunay! We miss you and think of you always!! You live forever in the hearts of all those whose lives you touched with your beautiful personality. Lots of love and hugs

Arunay. We miss you. We remember you very fondly and always feel your presence in our lives and our perspectives. Be well where you are.

We miss you Arunay! Thinking of you today and everyday. Lots of love

Dear Arunay,
Messi won today. Were you watching with Maradona? Would you have been happier if it was Ronaldo? I know that's what my son was looking forward to. I am sure you are having a blast with Maradona on this one.

Happy Birthday to our dearest Arunay! We miss you!!

Happy birthday, Arunay. You are always with us in our thoughts, in our decisions, in our judgements, and in our actions. Your presence is as conspicuous as your absence. Go have fun wherever you are. Run around. Spread the love. And remember to come back for the cake!

Happy Birthday Arunay, you are always in the thoughts of everyone at the club.

My dear Arunay,
I am one of many mothers who adopted you in my heart. I remember the day I read your story in a news paper. Immediately I was overcome with emotions and I wept uncontrollably. I couldn't even begin to imagine what your parents were going through. The day mother ocean decided to take you and keep you all to herself, you became part of my life. Not a day goes by that I don't think and pray for you, your parents, and your loved ones. Maybe its because I am also a mother, or maybe I saw resemblances, or maybe the smile on your face that promised a lifetime of joy to your parents was stolen too quickly. Whatever maybe the reasons are, the emotions are running deep. Because of you I hold my kids longer and tighter. Because of you I don't take them for granted. Because of you I try to enjoy them every moment I have with them and I apologize whenever I fall short .
One year has gone by and I am very proud of your parents for what they are doing in your memory, helping others along the way. You might be gone before our eyes, gone with a purpose, yet not forgotten. Your story will go on. My wish is to start thinking of you with pure joy as your beautiful smile suggested. I wish that for everyone who knows you especially your parents. If my prayers are reaching God, you Arunay is surely listening, as you are now one with the eternal power. It is probably a totally different world from ours, but if you could give us a glimpse that you still exist and you are happier than we are, a little glimpse is all I ask for to alleviate this pain.
Love,
Linu

Arunay was the first baby in my life and perhaps many other “firsts” for me ..certainly the first one I held at merely 10 days old and boy... was I in love from that moment!!

He will remain the epitome of a perfect kid for me.. Right from the beginning I was amazed at how beautiful he was, how well behaved he was, how intelligent he was ... as a baby, as a toddler and then when he grew to become the only person I know who shared my husband’s love for periodic tables ! His beautiful eyes and gorgeous smile could melt anyone.

I still remember the exact moment on the morning of Jan 19th, when I heard about Kutu’s freak accident. Not a moment goes by when I don't wish it is all a nightmare that will go away upon waking up. I feel sad at what else he could have been, I feel anger at the unfairness of it all, I feel completely helpless about the permanence and cruelty of this.

But then I look at some of the beautiful pictures of his and I cannot help but smile. I smile at the beautiful memories he has given me, I feel grateful that I was a part of his first NYC trip, listened endlessly to “wheels on the bus” with him when he knew the exact moment to begin his “fake cries” so we wouldn’t change the track, went to his favorite pizza place with him, got the warmest hugs, the best kisses & hugs from him. I shall proudly hold the title of the one who taught him the art of negotiation - "A kiss for a kiss"! I am so glad my 6 year old had a chance to hang on Kutu bhaiyya’s shoulders and got to tickle him till he cried.

It is simply amazing how many lives he has managed to touch even in such a short period of time... people like us who luckily got to enjoy some of the best moments with him, some like my daughter who probably wouldn’t even have been born but for him and those who showed up in scores to find him. I am not the least bit surprised by the outpouring of love and support of the larger community for him.. knowing him he deserves every bit of that love and more ... I know he will continue to be loved, missed and celebrated forever. Love you Kutu .. now and forever.

My wife just shared the chronicle story with me and I was profoundly moved. A young child who had only learned to dream about beautiful things that were to come his way is snatched away just like that. It was not long ago that we ran into a mother in Pacifica, carrying flyers of her child also pulled in by the treacherous waves to be found upstream several days later. No amount of compassion and sympathy will bring him back or provide solace to the family that must be so distraught over this grievous and untimely loss which wil endure for a long time. Only time will heal these wounds, if at all. And Arunay, no doubt will breathe in our hearts forever.

We’ve known Arunay since he was 2 years old when he lived with his family in Maryland. He was our son Krish’s first good friend. We had so many playdates and gatherings and had a close connection with the family. After Arunay and his parents moved to California, we were able to connect with them in CA for a few years and it was as if they never left, meeting him for birthdays and festivals all the time. He was very friendly and caring also very mature for his age and had a very calm demeanor. We are so heartbroken and there hasn’t been a day where we have not thought about him. Our Family will miss you so much.

I do not know Arunay, but finding out about this story left me in shock. I could not understand why something like this had to happen to such a beautiful person and soul. His memory will always be honored and remembered by the people who loved him. As someone who is a high schooler, I am so grateful for this gift of life. I am at a loss of words, I truly do not know what to say. I don't think words can encapsulate the depth of our emotions and how much we all miss him. I hope that wherever you are, Arunay, you are at peace and are safe. Even though I don't know you, reading all these tributes and the amount of love that has come your way makes me realize you are one of a kind. Such a special, wonderful person. I can't wait till the people close to you can see you on the other side. You taught me so many things, like how to be grateful, and you impacted so many lives. You will always be remembered.
-Harshini

Sending love to this beautiful boy and sending peace to his family.

oh Happy Birthday Heavenly Birthday Arunay! because your birthday since last month.

he’ll never get to read this but, Dear arunay. i never really knew you. we were more like acquaintances who would see each other from time to time, i knew you for your smile and only your smile. the smile that could bring cheer into anyone. i remember when i used to see you working thru the cypress doors, you were always so happy. i know so many people love you, and frankly, i do too. i wish i could spend more time with you, get to know you better. i miss you, and i regret not getting to know you better. elementary school ended, everything was now just a distant memory. i saw a post, then another, of how “12 year old boy goes missing”, i clicked, and everything happened so fast i couldn’t breath. it hit like a ton of bricks. i cried and cried and realized the world wouldn’t get you back. i’m so sorry, i’m so sorry. - meher from cypress :,]

Arunay went to school with one of my really close friends and when everything happened, it her really hard, I don’t know Arunay but he seemed like the most awesome person to be around. I wish I could have know him. He will forever be missed by many.

Arunay will be missed forever. His life was short, but he left a lot of beautiful memories to his family, friends, and the whole community. Although I didn't get the chance to know Arunay in person, I know he was Siddant's big brother and Sharmishta's older son.

Arunay was a wonderful son. From talking with his mother, I know Arunay was very good at academics. He liked math and was great at making LEGO Robots. Arunay was a boy who always made his mom proud. Talking about Arunay always lit a smile on his mom's face. Arunay was a great friend. When Arunay was in Acacia classroom at MSF, Jadon remembers him as a very athletic and friendly boy. He always liked to play soccer with other kids in the playground, and he was also very polite to the other kids and teachers. Arunay is a fabulous brother. Carter and Siddant, Arunay's younger brother, became classmates and good friends. Siddant talked to Carter about Arunay, and how they played together at home. During the pandemic, Carter also saw Arunay check on Siddant during Siddant's zoom meetings. Arunay seems like a caring big brother that everybody would want to have.

Arunay will always be in our hearts, and may he be taken good care of. We all love you and miss you so much! ❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This wounded heart shall beat unhealed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words of hope ring loud before they are subdued by spaces still.
And the gush of endless action does not my emptiness fill.
I feel your warm, honest embrace, but my cavern walls are cold.
Prayers, chants and philosophy, promise much but they don’t hold.
Kindness, intent, courage, wisdom, reason, cannot me rescue
In my heart full of gratitude only helplessness rings true
My eyes are shut, I cannot sleep, neither dreams have I nor fears.
Let them be in the dark lest I drown an ocean with my tears.
Time distances, distracts and dulls, but the odds it heals are slim
This wounded heart shall beat unhealed, till that rendezvous with Him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tarun, Sharmistha and I go back a long time. Somewhere amidst the luscious green hills of India’s northeast, in the valley of the massive Brahmaputra, about 25 years ago, in the sprawling and chaotic city of Guwahati, our paths intersected. Tarun was my brilliant classmate in college and Sharmistha was our dear friend from a neighbouring college in the city. Tarun’s easy going, gentle and jovial nature paired beautifully with Sharmistha’s sincere, sensitive and endearing simplicity. Several years later when I learnt that they had decided to tie the knot it came as wonderful news. When Arunay was born in 2008 my wife, Kavita, and I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Tarun and Sharmistha were in Cleveland Ohio, and soon thereafter moved to Maryland, just a short 5-hour drive away from us. Many visits followed - birthdays, baby showers, winter breaks, and often for no particular reason.

Arunay was the first born among our physically and emotionally close group of friends during the late 2000s. I recall being struck by Arunay as I watched him grow - I had never seen a child with such emotional maturity, such kindness of heart and such an easy personality. Being around him was calming and uplifting. I loved asking him puzzles and brain teasers, sharing silly jokes and word puns, reading to him, painting with him, and engaging in any manner of physical activity - making and flying paper planes, playing soccer and cricket, and ice skating. What made him particularly endearing was the attitude with which he took these experiences in. He would listen attentively, he would ask his questions politely and respectfully, and always take it all in - be it the trick that cracks open a puzzle or a punch line to a joke - with the dawning of that big sunny smile on his countenance. Who knew that children could be such a joy!

Arunay was, in many ways, the child who gave me and my wife, Kavita, the confidence to start a family of our own. Our first born, Meera, 3 years younger to Arunay, connected with Arunay ‘baia’ (her ability to pronounce ‘bhaiyya’ - brother in Hindi - had not yet matured) instantly when we visited Tarun and Sharmistha in 2014. They had moved to California by then, and family responsibilities and physical distances had made our mutual visits less frequent. This made every opportunity to meet a celebration. I recall that during that visit, Tarun and Sharmistha had generously organized a surprise baby shower for us as we were expecting our second child that year. I also recall that Meera and Arunay had a blast together - doing somersaults on their king-sized mattress, playing in the dirt in their backyard, exploring all of Arunay’s toys, and generally having a whale of a time.

When I received the phone call in January, with news of the freak accident that took this kind and gentle child, the universe just stopped being. We all stepped into a different universe at that moment. Arunay lives in this new universe not in the body of one little child, but in a thousand hearts and minds, in a hundred thousand shared experiences, in a million fragments of memories, in a billion tears - each one reflecting back that incredible radiance, that impossible ease of being, that utterly disarming smile. Arunay will live on forever in this new universe.

We have fond memories of Arunay and family back when we all lived in Virginia/Maryland. Our kids were little, about the same age and we met every opportunity we had especially at kid's bday parties. I will never forget his big eyes and big smile, always inquisitive and such a fun kid to be around. He will always be remembered.
Pls accept condolences on behalf of our family. Our prayers for your family, may u find strength, peace and happiness.

Arunay was a good friend, always loved to play with me and Rivan, he was, undoubtedly, the best friend I ever had. He was always open to suggestions, loved to just hangout, I will always remember him, as my best friend - Dhruv Rajamani

I knew Arunay when he was a student in Acacia . I remember him coming in to play piano with his friend Or to borrow books in the library/ my office, and making endless rounds of the school building keeping his strips of paper afloat as Mr. Karl had taught him , always Excited , comparing notes and techniques with his friends. Later when his brother became became my student he would often come in at the end of the day to fetch him, and always loved wandering about his old classroom while waiting and I would often tell him he was welcome to come explore with the materials anytime he wanted. That always got me a smile that I will always remember. May the universe look after him ❤️

Selena and Arunay were classmates at BASIS. Arunay is a sweet and brave child. Words cannot express our sorrow for him. We will remember him forever. Please accept our condolences.

Arunay -

For five years I watched you grow and develop into an elite athlete. From an early age it was evident that you had soccer skills that far out-performed your classmates, but despite your God-given talents, I still saw you out on the grass every single lunch period practicing your skills, sometimes just by yourself. Your dedication and passion for the sport of soccer are inspiring even for me, someone who has dedicated their life to sports and fitness.

I also watched you grow socially into a kind and caring classmate. Though you wielded great power in the sports arena, you chose to use your gifts to help other students improve rather than boast. I cannot thank you enough for such a mature and compassionate attitude.

No disrespect meant to my other students, but I do not think there is a single kid who could match you on the soccer field. I hope that wherever you are now, you get to play against Maradona and the other greats so that you finally get the challenge you deserve.

Love and respect,

Coach Andy

I feel privileged to have watched Arunay grow from a spunky, playful schoolyard companion into a thoughtful, reflective boy as he transitioned from elementary school to middle school. From all my interactions with him, what stands out most to me is how dearly loved he was by his friends. That loyalty shows how much friendship means to us all as we journey on in life. Friends are our joy, strength and lifeline. Arunay was blessed to be a friend to so many.

I was close with Arunay when we were partnered for the Science Olympiad. I really appreciated being his friend and was lucky to have him in my life. He supported me when going to my new school at Basis Independent Fremont. He introduced me to some of my best friends there. Arunay was an amazing, intelligent kid with a great sense of humor. I will always remember him through his big impact on my life, his loving and cheerful character. We will miss him for sure. I give my support to Arunay's family for enduring such a hardship but as we all know, Arunay is not gone from us.

Arunay was a pleasure to have in 4th Grade Engineering Class. He was respectful and engaged during class. He created some very creative projects. I wish Arunay and his family love and peace. - Gene Huneycutt

Our hearts goes out to Arunay and his family. He will always be remembered and missed here at Basis Independent School. We wish Arunay and his family love and peace. 

I have never really interacted with Arunay, but I have trained with him many times. He was very friendly and kind, and was the best on the team. I will always remember him in my heart.

My name is Hiren. Arunay and I were both in Montessori School of Fremont. The first time I met Arunay was when I was in transition. The way we both met was when I was working on a material in the school called racks and tubes. I was alone and working on it when the teacher then came to me and brought Arunay. Arunay and I started doing this work and I kept on spilling all of the beads and so Arunay and I made up a song about how the beads were rolling and this was actually the first time I felt I had a friend in the class. When I went to 1st grade I was excited that I had gotten in the same class as Arunay. I remember in first grade we used to sit together and work on all sorts of materials. When I was in 2nd grade Arunay and I then started to come to each other's homes. I remember there I used to play tag with Arunay and catch a plush soccer ball. In 3rd grade Arunay and I spent almost all the time with each other in school. We used to play basketball and soccer outside, go trick or treating with each other and we even made a record by the end of the school year by finishing all the synonym and antonym boxes. In 4th grade Arunay had left the school but I still had fun times with him when I came over to his house and we still played with each other. In all I had many many memories with Arunay and I miss him very much and how much he had helped me over these years.

Siddharth, Mamta and Esha have sweet memories of Arunay as a toddler. Our daughter Esha and Arunay had many playdates and celebrated events like Holi, Hallowean etc. together. I have vivid memories of Esha and Arunay throwing colors at each other at the Hare Krishna temple during Holi (I'll upload the pics). We have fond memories of celebrating Aunay's third birthday in MD. Before COVID Sharmistha, Tarun, Arunay and Siddhanth visited MD and it was hard to recognize him as I still remembered him as a toddler before they moved to CA. The visit is itched in our memories forever.

Tvishi, Advik, Janani Aunty and Karthik Uncle would like to celebrate Arunay and the nice moments we spent together. Arunay was a friendly, disciplined kid and a great host as always. His welcoming eyes that was full of joy and happiness will always be remembered.