"A VEGGIE SANDWICH AT BURGER KING?"

"A VEGGIE SANDWICH AT BURGER KING?"

I was hurt and self esteem was low...

...but in an instance, I felt the warm glow and was hooked!!!

I had barely managed to complete a Master's in quantitative economics from Tufts University in Boston. The academic torture that I experienced there made the winters in Boston seem very balmy. I found my way to the Annenberg School for Communication, USC to explore a second masters. My main draw to this institution is what I had read about a certain Everett Rogers. I made an appointment to see him around noon.

I walked in and was greeted with a warm smile. "Have you had lunch?". Before I could reply, I found myself almost running behind this man who was at least 30 years my senior. We entered a Burger King and he went on to order two 'veggie' burgers (aka skip the patty and add an extra layer of cheese to the tomatoes and lettuce). And then he turned his big eyes and just focussed on me. We spoke for about 30 minutes and I fell into a trance (like so many of his previous students had). His warmth and twinkle in the eye were mesmerising. 'Mowgli' had indeed met the benevolent 'Ka.'

I signed up for the program taking a loan to pay for the first semester. This was a huge risk, but Ev was worth it. Then two years of studying and working under him (as his TA) were absolutely memorable. He lifted me when I was down and helped me fly. Connecting me to the Center for Communication Programs at JHU for a summer internship opened my eyes to a career in International health communication that I pursued for over 20 years.

Having Ev and Arvind come to Bombay a decade later to see our program in HIV prevention communications was so memorable. He had not changed.

Thank you Arvind for posting about him. It's been a while since I have thought about him, but the words of this lovely song truly rung home and brought a tear to my eye.

https://vimeo.com/255092589

Today, I am a coach supporting stars shine (some who have temporarily lost lost their glitter). Ev was the most influential mentor in my life. I think he lives on in me (and undoubtedly in so many others who have been touched by him)......and this makes me both inspired and humble.....On this day dedicated to women, may the feminine virtues of wisdom, care and compassion that so epitomised him, make me a better man!


Comments

  1. Sridhar Rao ChagantiMarch 9, 2019 at 12:38 AM

    You were blessed to find an Ev in your life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 9, 2019 at 11:20 PM

    Lovely, Sanjay! Chance moments in life, people we meet, experiences, all make us who we are !

    ReplyDelete

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