Skip to main content

Sarathy Mama has taken the best seat to watch the Totality

In the brief but impactful time I had with you, Ananth Srinivasan, PhD, known to me as Sarathy Mama, I found myself deeply fond of him—a sentiment shared by anyone graced by your presence.

Each video call with you was a burst of joy, a testament to your warm and engaging nature.

Your eyes sparkled with enthusiasm when you spoke of your beloved birds, the mysteries of the cosmos, and the intricate details of your astrophotography and telescopes. I recall the times when you animatedly described the constellations or specifically about  - Thiruvathurai (a) Betelgeuse (and people's mind-shattering beliefs when it goes big bang!), your voice filled with wonder as if you were charting the skies for the very first time.

Your contributions to science, especially in the realms of Peptide Chemistry, and bountiful knowledge of FSHD and Cancer (Irrfan Khan case file) were profound. Yet, it was your hobbies that truly captured the essence of your curious spirit.

As the Totality approaches, I find comfort in imagining Sarathy mama with the best seat in the universe, observing the cosmic dance he so dearly loved. I am sure my favourite Chuchu Mama will join his favourite and fond Sarathy Anna in the seat next to him.
Here on Earth, I will honour your memory by witnessing the Totality and sharing your stories with Skanda and all who will listen.

Sarathy Mama, your journey continues amongst the stars you cherished. And as I look up to the space, I'll think of you and Chuchu mama, reunited and exploring the celestial wonders together. Until we meet again, you will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

Thank you for being who you are and pushing your limits despite FSHD.

Sarathy Mama and Chuchu, 2019

Bio at Stanford

Comments

Popular Posts

Post - 50!

I'll Do Anything for Love, by Meat Loaf - And I would do anything for love I'd run right into hell and back I would do anything for love I'll never lie to you and that's a fact But I'll never forget the way you feel right now-- Oh no--no way-- I would do anything for love But I won't do that I won't do that Anything for love I would do anything for love I would do anything for love But I won't do that I won't do that Some days it don't come easy Some days it don't come hard Some days it don't come at all and these are the days that never end Maybe I'm crazy But it's crazy and it's true I know you can save me No one else can save me but you As long as the planets are turning As long as the stars are burning As long as your dreams are comming true-- You better believe it!-- That I would to anything for love And I'll be there until the final act-- I would do anything for love! And I'll take a vow and seal a pact

Fancy Dress Competition alias 'Ethnic Day' for Software Engineers

Remember the time when we used to wear different costumes to the “Fancy Dress” competition conducted in our school/other’s? Golden times – Fun filled and totally mind-boggling! Guess, I was a born actor and may be talented as well, look at my profile, for the roles I’ve played – I once dressed up as Krishna and yes, there was a girl who dressed up as Radha and we both stood against a wall and stood and stood and it goes on…! Cute, she was. Childhood crushes – die-hard. (Have you ever watched a movie Little Rascals ? If not, do watch or place an order to me and I’ll pass across a copy by borrowing it from my friend – We had girl hater’s gang as well!) Next Ă  Played a role as an elephant in ‘Snow White and the seven Dwarves’ with my friend playing Wabbit. Talent Ă  Went around the girl (Snow White) ‘ Ynaaaaaaa… ’. RAW Talent! Then chance beckoned up on for, to play a role of ‘Hanuman’, and this time went around ‘Sai Baba’ like a champ (read it as chimp?!) – people actually said I toppe

Adieu – The ever devouring machine … My stomach!

Hunger struck, I fumbled and stumbled with a medium pan pizza, which had a double layered cheese. One may say, that happens, buddy! Had you known me you would have empathized in a different way... Rewind back … 20 odd yrs … I am eating a snack, my sister is eating a snack... 10 minutes later because of me watching her eat … I would end up eating both of ours. Few days later … I am eating an ice cream, my sister too is eating or about to eat an ice cream, 10 minutes later because of me watching her eat … I would end up eating both of ours. Few months later … I am eating a favourite meal, my sister is eating a not so favourite meal, but 10 minutes later I started to eat what she had, well after completing what was mine. So, you see, I was born to eat and enjoy food unfortunately (or fortunately for the animal kingdom) the only thing I always ate was clean vegetarian food. And my vegetarian occasionally had eggs in some other form – cakes or mayonnaise. I was known for what and how I eat.

Oh Gawd!

What are the odds of betting “God Exist!” against “There’s no God!” well there might be the other odds which says “God exists, but he does not have influence on our lives!” or wait, “He exists and we are the coins on his chess board!”? I always liked to debate on His existence. I liked the topic very much – GOD! And when I started to read about “The Blind Watchmaker” by Richard Dawkins, the stir started again! Anbe Sivam emphasizes on the concept of God in a different meaning. Now, there’s always the point when the atheist and the theist are cornered and on the similar question – Atheist: Can you prove the existence of God? Theist: Can you prove not His existence? It is the similar to the forward “Dialogue between the Prof and a student”. It is not necessary that if you cannot see it, it does not exist. Though the thought here is, we can always prove its existence, can’t we? Life started from where? It was not a just like that! It was not by chance, it was continuous evoluti

Yearly update to Stork - 2024

Each year, on or about Super Mar10 (Skanda's birthday), I write (on Facebook) a yearly update to Stork about Skanda's progress through his age. I will be blogging as well, from now on. You'll be able to read the previous issues here . Sunday, March 10, 2024, Stouffville, ON, Canada Dear Stork, I hope this letter finds you well. It's been a while since we last communicated. Our little Skanda has turned nine, the magical and highest single-digit number. I'm unsure if the warranty on this mortal coil has expired, or if that happens when the teenage years begin? We seem to have misplaced the paperwork, so any clarification would be appreciated. The past year has been quite a journey! Skanda's interest in Minecraft has grown manifold, watching YouTubers' play/narrate and occasionally joining himself on his Linux machine. He even takes notes while watching. I've introduced him to more games, such as Mini Metro and Mini Motorways. His fascination with trains

Chuchu's 2nd year of becoming stardust

 Dear Yama/Chitragupta - How have you all been? A year had passed since our last interaction . How is Chuchu doing? It has been two years since you he arrived at your place. I hope he has been well treated and he has treated you both well? Well, a lot have happened in the last one year. More leaders of nations have turned their tenure to a regime. More people have been killed - thanks to the war, environmental destruction (forest fire/drought/famine/floods/pollution), and diseases. You must have noticed the turnover - month-over-month on your end; if not please check with Chitragupta. Life has been difficult for many people - sustenance is no more an option. We as a generation are letting down the future. Well, that's not why this post is about. If Chuchu was around, I would have had fun poking him with politics back home. Shruthi has made - apparently - a favourtie of Chuchu called Bambai lakidi a.k.a Kalakala. I never knew that. It is Praneetha's favourite though. We are pla

Marriage Gossips and Others…

Marriage is always fun. Be it relative’s or friend’s or someone whom you had been acquainted and long forgotten his/her existence! What makes it very interesting? Marriage is interesting because… No! This is not a SST/ENG/EVS class. Gossips rule the whole party! She1: Aye! Paathiyaadi avavla? Evvalavu nagai potturukka! She2: Paathundu than irukken, ava husband-u Dubai-la velai seiaraanam! (Now the situation has changed. It is more like “Ava husband-u America-la Software-la velai seiranama…”) She1: Ye Archana inga vayen. Ennadi athu kathula? Puthu model-a? Archana: Amam maami! LKS-la puthusa oru model vanthuthu. Avar kitten ketten, ethu venumo vangikko appadinu sollittu avroda card koduthu-tu poittaru. (Archana leaves after that.) She1: Koduthu vechava. Hmmm! Yenoda athukkararum irukkara! Seriyana oru asamanjam! She2: Amam amam! She1: ?! She1: Atha vidungo! Avvala parungalen, eppadi dress pottundu vanthirukka-nu?! She2: Eva? She1: Athan, tight-a oru sattaiyum

Bad Kid

Episode 1 – It is late evening and you and your nephew (a 4 or 5 yr old kid) are on a crowded road. The kid is the most dreaded kid known ever, known for his adamancy! Let’s call the nephew as S. S spots a road side shop and the seller of it sells choppu saman – basically it is the stuff which is kind of a kitchen set for kids. As they approach the shop, S turns to his uncle S: Mama, I need it. Mama (knows about the kid, but still tries his luck): No, S. We can buy that later, we have already bought enough. Your mom would have already bought you this, and I think I have seen it as well. S: Yes, I do have one, but you see it is old, and the set here has many more that I do not have. Mama: No, S. Not today. Let’s leave. Sometime later. S: No, I need it. And I need it now. Mama: Sorry, not possible. S: Mummy! I need it, I need it, I need it! (Sits on the road next to the pavement where the shop has spread out) Mama: You can do whatever you want it, but the answer is “No

Penpencils

Yes, the topic says so. I thought I'll relax a bit and write about these amazing instruments after forgetting how to hold them and write on a paper. Today, I completed five long years (and some days) of working/existing in one company, right after college. While in college, I wasted less paper, but more notebooks – shabbily put marks on papers. Well, I am talking about the notes that were vomited out of my lecturer's mouth – yes, the same slimy thing. I knew how to write. Write fast - almost like shorthand language which the journalists prefer. I switched between pens (ballpoint pens and fountain pens and sometimes ball-less as well ;)) and sometimes fell in love with pencils. These switches happened after first year, until then I was still a school kid and wasn't unshackled from the rope around my neck to be disobedient. Not disobedient, but a little subtler. Five years! I tried in-between to write - with anything - but failed. I type, though. Got used to it! Not long bac