Sandeep, We met almost to the day in 1989 in the elevator of 3 Greenway Plaza. me in my pretentious suit, and you in your, well, less said the better. If you had not started the conversation, I would have lost a lifelong friendship of 32 years, and counting and you are still with me.
To say that we were brothers from different mothers would be underselling. I recall when I went to the Hilton Hotel, Seoul about 15 or 16 years ago, checked in and took the elevator, got off on my floor turned left to go to my room, and I hear a loud desi voice "Annyeonghaseyo". that was you trying to make friends with a random person in the corridor. Totally random meeting, totally random time, random floor in a 20 story hotel, and we never knew we were even in the same city. Of course this happened again in Singapore. How can this be, if not for the fact that we have a cosmic link. Sorry sounds like a Bollywood movie, but hey I am in Mumbai, so Sandeep eat your Sandwizza and be quiet.
We started a cricket team together in 1989, you said BPatel, you captain and I will get the players. That was the start of Cavaliers Cricket Club (still going strong after 30 years). I wrote the weekly reports, and even today I am told that you were my favorite and I only praised you, well why not? You deserved it then and even more today.
You said BPatel, let's go bowling and we started Desi Rollers, with Naynesh/Anju, Manu, Bhavnabhabhi.
You supported our annual golf outings and today they are the envy of so many.
You got me started on trading stocks (can I have my money back please). Darn NUGT but hopefully SOL will make it even. You still have not taught me how to do covered calls.
We loved to gamble, but you still haven't taught me Craps.
You told me 10 years ago in Scotland, BPatel, just dance don't worry about others, and you created a monster. I can't help but get on stage no matter how bad I dance...luv it.
We still have unfinished business and need to play Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and so many more courses around the world.
You were always telling Bimal and myself, retire and do something different. But you can see from the above if you are not initiating, then I am not going to do.
Sandeep, Thank you for all you have done for me and I look to you for even more guidance as the years go on. Still need you my friend.
Stay blessed.
Manu and family, Neena, Veli, Lux, Trishna, Megna stay strong as Sandeep will never be far from you.
Jai Swaminarayan/ Jai Jinendra