In Memory of Nitu...

All great men should have some place where near and dear ones can visit and walk away with the feeling of having met the person.

I am very pleased today that such a place has been made. A statue of our beloved Dr. Nitu Mandke has been established at his dream project, the now Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

The bust was unveiled yesterday at the hands of Padmabhushan Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar in the presence of Shri Manohar Joshi.

Dr. Mashelkar, an eminent person who has dedicated his life to Research and development and nation building, is an advisor to many corporates and the winner of innumerable prestigious awards from around the world. He spearheaded the successful challenge to the US patent on the use of Turmeric for wound healing and also the patent on Basmati rice. Dr. Mashelkar and Nitu met on several occasions mainly during 20 minute flights between Mumbai and Pune and discussed various topics. (It has always amazed me how Nitu could talk to any person of any stature with equal ease and knew just what to talk about too.)

I felt it was befitting that Nitu's statue be unvield by such a great man. Dr. Mashelkar had wonderful things to say on the occasion. Coincidently he had also given a speech in the IMA building named after Dr. Nitu Mandke in Pune just the previous day.

Shri Manohar Joshi, the guest of honour, was extremely enthusiastic about honouring my invitation and made a remarkable speech that lightened the mood and my heavy heart.

The function was in the Dr. Nitu Mandke Convention Centre on July 27th 2009.

Any such function brings a great amount of bittersweet joy and I would like to thank all who came to share these emotions with me. As also I would like to thank all those who provide constant support to me throughout as I walk forward....

When in the Hospital, I can picture Nitu walk with pride in his flamboyant style and I am sure he is very proud of the facility, its quality and the level of service provided there.