It was on the afternoon of February 27 that Shridhar, my friend, a writer, lyricist, a family man and social activist breathed his last at his home in Gogol, Margão. To all of us, his friends and admirers, the news came like a bolt from the blue. Not that it was unexpected, because on a routine check-up, three months earlier, a tumour was found in his liver. Unfortunately, it was “hepatocellular carcinoma” (HCC), a worldwide prevalent hepatic disease and the third greatest cancer-related cause of death. Half of HCC patients, despite the recent molecular targeted drug, Sorafenib, do not live long. They become emaciated, lose interest in food and beverage intake, and eventually succumb. Despite his physician-relative, Dr Pravin Bhat having planned the best care right from the diagnosis, Shridhar was fully aware that his end was near, yet he put up a brave face till the very end. As we grieve the death of a close friend - a real diamond - we ask in vain, “Why did you have to go so soon “Bappuddu” (that’s how his son Harsh affectionately referred to him)? Didn’t you have promises to keep, and miles to go before the Reaper with the Scythe finally came to knock at your door?

As we seek answers about why Shridhar’s sojourn was so short, let’s remember to thank God that we had him for 53 years with us. I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a close friend. He fought a brave and strong battle, took each day in stride, never really complaining. He was a gem of a man, inside and out. He was a wonderful friend to me, supporting with his gentle and caring nature. One of his beliefs in life was the importance of being authentic with people, saying what needs to be said because he believed it’s good for the relationship and for the soul. Also, I always admired how he never judged or forced his opinions on anyone, but offered valuable and truthful advice that we will surely miss.

I remember so well when long ago I met him for the first time and he gave his passionate first “speech” before we formed the group Lok Shakti. Shridhar pointedly said, “The pogrom of Gujarat is just a taste of things to come. We must remain alert and united and never allow our communal harmony to go to pieces.”With a rare foreboding, he warned us that “Goa was on the throes of Hindutva ready to divide the state into fragments". “There can be no letup in the fight against communalism”, he averred, “Because. if Hindutva succeeds, fascism is bound to emerge.”

His beautiful spirit will live on through his loving wife Anju and his children, Harsh and Ashwini and all of us who recollect how much he loved us all. He did try with all his heart to stay for us, but God called him, and he had to go.

As tears well up in my eyes, I am reminded of the story of the tragic passing away of my darling own son Melvin who left us desolate at the tender age of 23. While we mused upon it, searching for answers, the poignant famous words brought some solace: “Who plucked this flower?” enquired the gardener; “I,” said the Master, and the gardener held his peace having nothing more to say. Our Lord and Master’s decision is always final. He owns the garden and He only knows His reason for plucking a flower from his garden. He knows every flower in His garden and every bud about to blossom. To suit His overall divine plan, He plucks flowers as He pleases. We all are flowers in the Master’s garden and, in another aspect, we are all sojourners here, as well, for this world is not our home. For some of us, our stay here is a long one, for others the stay is short, and for others very short. As we grope for answers, we receive none, to be reminded that God requires time and again a “most beautiful flower” to adorn his heavenly garden… Still, who knows the real answer? No one knows or will ever know except God himself. But one thing is true. God is faithful to us and will never leave us unattended.

Shridhar knew well that the purpose of life isn’t to safely arrive at death – it’s to live well, so that when death comes, you don’t even notice it. You just go from life to a greater life. As I remember the days we cried and laughed together, I am certain that Shridhar rests in peace knowing he did all that he could and that his children and wife will get on with his blessings through these hard days. When we love people, it’s comforting to know that they will always be with us in our hearts.

I’ll see you again, my friend, my guru, my diamond, my mentor, my own “bappuddu”. Goodbye for now!

(Dr. Francisco Colaço is a 

seniormost consulting 

physician).