My association with Prakash began when Nihal was dating Shalini and he asked us to meet him and Geeta. We had a casual meeting in Detroit for introducing and getting to know each other. Then Prakash came to California and stayed with us for couple of days when wedding plans for Nihal and Shalini were going on. We began to develop a relationship to understand each other. I saw him as a secular educated Hindu but found it easy to relate and carry on a sensible conversation with him. Although there were many differences between us such as language, caste, religion, we were able to carry on conversations regarding the wedding without any contention or conflict. We did not see any distance between us. During our conversations he validated me and showed respect to me as a valuable person.

In the past eight years, we met several times celebrating Thanksgiving, Birthdays, wedding of Satyam and Pam. He enjoyed our South Indian food like Idlis, Vadai and Sambar. My wife’s Murkku was special to him, so we used to send him Murukku whenever we could. We enjoyed our times together sharing good food and wonderful family times. Last year when I was dealing with our house issues in Grand Rapids, he and Geeta came to see me and understand what was going on. Then one Saturday he felt he had to come and see me. It was a pleasant visit.  He came to the Church with me dressed in his suit and was happy to meet the members in this small village church. He also participated in the fellowship meal.

The best of our time together happened when he and Geeta came to Tamil Nadu last December. We picked them up at Cape Comerin and visited our native place, met many of our relatives and went to distinct temples including the Shiva temple in Rameshwaram. The trip ended with them staying with us at the ashram in Tanjore. He enjoyed the Ashram environment and activities immensely. He in fact told us that he wanted to come to the Ashram and stay for a month. The trip ended with a small feast of typical South Indian Masala Dosa Roast in Trichy before they took off to Ahmedabad.
 

Now when I reflect on these experiences it helps me to understand the inner person of Prakash.  It was very obvious that Prakash had transcended religions, caste and language barriers that normally divide human beings. He showed that building relationship with people was more important than anything else. That is why he was able accept his children marrying partners from other religions than his own. He was also able to freely come to the Christian church and fellowship with the people there. Next thing that comes to my mind about Prakash is the gift of presence he gave me when I was distressed about my house situation and felt alone. He drove all the way from Detroit just to be with me for a day. Giving the gift of presence is being with someone who is lonely and distressed.

We had booked an expensive hotel for Prakash and Geeta in Tanjore city when they came to visit the Ashram but they declined that and chose to stay in the Ashram. He preferred to experience the simple life at the Ashram. He wanted to identify himself with us and became one with the people in the ashram winning their hearts. In the past eight years of our relationship with each other we learned valuable lessons from him. These memories of Prakash will be etched in our memories forever.