In name of the late, great Ayrton Senna - whom we've seen to be the very best amongst men. This is about, what I've known to be, the very best amongst men.
I am done with my time here at Johns Hopkins and outside of classes there are many things that I have learned and experienced in the past three years. This is somewhat of a short memoir of an exceptional experience in this institution following my graduation.
It is not of an end, this, but of a new beginning. Not of loss or of sorrow, but of a mature and subtle evolution of what have been beautiful relationships.
I have made much here at Hopkins, and at Baltimore, and it is now, at the very end, that I find purpose in recollecting the sweetest memories that will, I am sure, lay claim to many spectacular rendezvous in the future.
It is here that I made the very best of my friends. Whom I consider to be the very best amongst men. So much so to the point that it is them who give me faith in the goodness in and on people. Ganesh Swaminathan and Richard Fenrich - I could not have wished for better friends and brothers. In the toughest and roughest of times, at school, in life and everywhere else, I've seen these through with the unending support of these two. There has been much that I have at times put them through: silly things of roommates but also of more serious things. I apologize for those troubles. I want to let you both know that you will be missed dearly and that I expect you both to remain what you have been so far, for the very many illustrious years to come between us.
It is with the help of my most revered mentor, Prof. Asthagiri, that I am proud of who I am today. It is because of him that I have faith in a better tomorrow. It takes not greatness to just speak of things, but it takes greatness to invoke greatness amongst persons. It is this that has salvaged me from tough times, and has made me love myself and my future. Not forgetting, Prof. Drazer, who has trusted and supported a simple student to such great things. It would be impossible to forget these very significant, important and admirable individuals in my life.
The past three years of me is of Hopkins, and in it comes some of the best and most significant moments of my life. Through the Vredenburg Scholarship in Germany, I met a fantastic mentor in Heiko Zeibell, who went well beyond his call to ensure a safe and comfortable experience in Braunschweig.
It would be impossible to imagine my Hopkins experience without drawing attention to some of the amazing people I have met along the way. Alisa Spirina - After introducing herself as a friendly stranger in a train in Paris has, quite amazingly, become one of the closest amongst my friends. It is because of her that I expect great surprises everyday I wake up, for I never know what amazingness is in store for me tomorrow. It is impossible to describe her remarkable qualities in a short text, but I am most grateful for having met her and I hope we have many many more splendid times together.
There is need to call upon some of the very many memorable relationships that I've forged during this significant time. Of Sminu Bose - her brilliant capabilities to listen, rationalize and console, she draws no parallels. It is only a pity that time grew too short before we drew much more philosophical insights into the most interesting problems in our lives. Of Jiajun Chia - a close friend and confidant that I will always remember. Of Craig Schneider - a friend and a very patient and amazing mentor. It is difficult to think that I would've matured as much as what I have academically if not for his example and advice as a responsible teacher.
Of Sumedh Risbud and Raghavendra Devendra - two remarkable individuals who treated their students like peers, and showed such camraderie that even in their absence, I knew I could depend on their advice and companionship. Of Sean King, a wonderful friend and well meaning brother with whom I've spent many meaningful moments. Of MK Roney - one of the dearest and best women I've met at Hopkins. She's one such person I know I can depend on to make even the dullest of moments exciting, and to whom I've promised to be with for the most significant times of her life. Of Michelle Ploch - a person I can rely on to speak with deeply of nearly any subject at all. It is a pity that I could never join her to dance. Of Anand Patel and Anuj Gupta - two friendly fellow Indians who have wished me well in my endeavors in cricket.
It is in this text that I recall the companionship of some of the closest people that have emerged out of Hopkins. It has been a wonderful experience, and I've made many wonderful friends whom I will remember forever. I speak confidently of this because, these people have changed me, and I shall always remain a product of these meaningful meetings and conversations - forever.
I've only managed to speak of some of the people who have come out of this and I couldn't mention everyone. If you've read through all of this; thank you very much for being there for me and for all your prayers. I am eternally grateful for even the smallest of your gestures towards my success. It is with much pride and happiness that I write of these men, the best amongst the very best that I've seen; that they were with me, and I've lived amongst these giants. I can only be very grateful that now I am standing on their shoulders. Thank you very much everybody!
In deepest gratitude and love -
Yours truly,
Arvind
