Christmas Day, 2019. I remember this moment so clearly. I was calling out to Vinay, the photographer, to take a picture of the four of us and Vinay Sheel Oberoi indignantly said, “Since when do you not call me Mooli Uncle, what is this Vinay business?” Mooli Uncle. Father of one of my closest friends, my parents’ friend for more than four decades. Distinguished civil servant, brilliant photographer, and the kind of punster I can only aspire to be. If I had known that this was going to be the last time I would meet you, that three weeks later, you’d begin battling illnesses no one should have to battle, and that I would not even be able to leave my house to say goodbye to you in person, I’d have had another drink with you, cracked another dad joke. But if this had to be the last time, I am grateful it was such a lovely, happy, sunlit day. This is how I will remember you.
18 February 1957-11 April 2020