So who's Salik Shingati then ?

At the end of a 60 min lecture, when you ask a class of bored 20 year olds, 'Ok thats it for today. Does anyone have any questions? ' You expect general mayhem, people trying to unobtrusively leave or noisily make the motions of packing up. Right ? Right! But sometimes people surprise you by being a teeny weeny bit different.

In early 2004 when I asked this question to a class of 30 odd students, SEVERAL hands actually shot up. The first one was this earnest bespectacled child, who asked me some very interesting questions. And through the next few months, I could see at the start of every lecture, the hands itching to be held aloft. The faces itching to ASK! It was a novel experience for me, being questioned. And it was pleasant enough even when I didnt know the answer. It was a good few weeks before I realised the one who was leading the firing squad so to say. The bespectacled kid.

That was Salik Shingati. He was someone who didnt take anything at face value. As a student he intrigued me with his many interesting questions. In year 2 when everyone was thinking how do i get through this class, he was thinking what do i do after BDS? I heard the rumblings of the other staff, about his many questions. They wanted to avoid him, but Salik and be ignored?

He'd come up to me in practicals and say 'Ma'am have a small doubt' and I'd say 'Get a chair'. It was a given that if he asked me a question, it would last an hour - the discussion following it .... i mean.

He had wanted to know if we could make a tooth in the lab ? And 3 years on I figure it is indeed a strange coincidence that i landed up in King's College, where in Guy's hospital people are looking at answers to that same question!

Those discussions with him in the lab in between demonstrating and teaching were not at all a waste of time, neither his nor mine. His ideas were revolutionary, his views were refreshing and his thoughts were so different that they were sure to make a dent in the way dental research fared in the next few years, He was in my book, everything a student should be. (which i never was -- a good student i mean)

Earnest without being stiffling, focussed without being horrifyingly the teacher's pet, outgoing and extracurricularly inclined without being irresponsible. Well loved, easy to befriend and slated 'most likely to succeed'. But God does have a sick sense of humor...

In July 2004 he fell ill; seriously ill. One day he was suddenly in the ICU. We heard rumors of cerebral malaria, valve infection etc. To date I dont know exactly what happened, but our beloved Salik was in the ICU at AJ Hospital fighting for his life. It was hopeful at first. The way all his friends rallied around.... I have seen friends gathering to help. But this was beyond friendship.... this was for Salik. He wouldnt have said No if someone else was in that bed.

I didnt hear a single refusal for blood donation, or a single denial for any other help of any kind.

A few weeks later, 24/7 vigil nevertheless, Salik was no more. He is sorely missed, by all of us. Most by his family. But something stays on of all of us when we leave. It is the little bits of interaction, the small experiences that we leave behind in our loved ones hearts and minds-- it is this that makes us immortal. If that is true then Salik is one of the true Immortals. He has touched so many lives, and hearts in his very short, bright life!

He definitely made a difference in mine.

This morning on the way to work i was listening to this song and i thought of him

And one day we'll all sing along
Cause this is your song
We wrote it for you
It'll take all our lives
Just to help us get through
You were a friend
Walk with you to the end

Today the SALIK Blood Donation club, started by his classmates, is a lifeline to so many patients in need of blood. He has touched more lives after his death...