Anuj Mohan

Enlightening our hearts this Diwali

2009-10-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

A famous Sanskrit hymn goes:

Tamso Ma Jyothir Gamaya (Lead me from Darkness to Light)

Anuj lighting up the world with the Goodness of his heart and Diwali Candles. October 1993.

Anuj holding a Diwali Sparkle. October, 1988.

Reminiscence

2009-07-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you for being the angels who look upon us every second of the day.

Immortality

2009-06-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."
-Albert Pine

We miss you today. Just like we have for the last 1094.

April 9th: Remembering Anuj on his Birthday

2009-04-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

“This very moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grow.”

April 9th, 1976, a seed was born. 33 years later, as we look back at Anuj’s life, we can’t help but be inspired by this beautiful flower. The time we shared with him, the memories we treasure, and lessons we learnt are a testament to the role model that Anuj had become to many of us.

Inspiring and giving hope to people in need is what Anuj always dreamt of. This is the same vision that gave birth to the Anuj Mohan Scholarship Fund.

Last week, Mohan Family was able to do just that by kick starting two awards as part of the Scholarship Fund at his high school in Lucknow, India.

Two scholarships, each recognizing the recipients’ top of class standing for class 10 and 12 respectively would be awarded each year assisting them with future academic efforts.

The seed most certainly bloomed into a beautiful flower that spread happiness among us all. With him in our thoughts and mind every second of the day, we hope these scholarships would continue to breed great role models who will do their part in sowing the right seeds to happiness and in turn continue to keep Anuj’s legacy alive.

Letters of Friendship

2008-12-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

Friendship is like the breeze,
You can't hold it,
Smell it,
Taste it,
Or know when it's coming,
But you can always feel it,
And you'll always know it's there,
It may come and then go,
But you can know it'll always be back.

Time and again we come acorss friendships that Anuj made in his short life. Each one being special in its own special way and each one having its own touching memory of Anuj. Recently we came another such example. Peter, a childhood friend of Anuj's from Michighan reached out to us and shared some of his most memorable childhood recolletions of him and Anuj growing up together. In addition, he also sent the family, letters that Anuj wrote to him over two decades ago, after moving to India. Peter holding on these letters gave us another glimpse at the special friendship bonds that Anuj made with his peers, ones that continue to live on as he does in our hearts.

Anuj and Peter along with the rest of their little league baseball team. Anuj is second from left (standing) with Peter on his immediate left. Spring, 1983

Anuj's letter to Peter. May, 1985

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 1). August, 1987

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 2). August, 1987

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 3). August, 1987

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 4). August, 1987

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 1). May, 1987

Anuj's letter to Peter (Page 2). May, 1987

Diwali: Illuminating Our Hearts with Hope

2008-10-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

From very beginning, in every legend of Diwali that is recited to us, lies the significance of “Victory of Good over Evil”; and it is with each New Year that this festival of light marks, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope to illuminate our hearts and homes.

On this auspicious occasion of Deepawali, as the thoughts of Anuj continues to be in our hearts and minds, we are once again reminded of his good deeds and great life as it continues to project light on the right path, giving us hope and strength and leading us from darkness into light.

Anuj with Dad and Mom. Diwali, 1992.

Anuj with Dad, Mom and Kapil. Diwali, 1993.

A True Sportsman

2008-08-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sports were always an integral part of Anuj’s life. Be it playing cricket with his brothers in their back yard or watching the Olympics on TV, Anuj would not miss out on the opportunity of being a part of it one way or the other. We are often reminded of Anuj constantly repeating that "Sports is the the best thing to watch on TV now-a-days."

With the eyes of the world focused on the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, Anuj often comes to our minds. The interesting part of his passion for sports was the fact that his dedication for it would always intrigue others and sooner or later you would see a huge group watching and cheering a team on along with Anuj. Putting all of it in a sport analogy, Anuj was a true sportsman one who lived for sports, no matter what the game might be.

Friends Forever

2008-06-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

“GooD FriendS
Good Friends Are Hard To Find.
Good Friends Are Easy To Love.
Good Friends Are Presents That
Last Forever And That Feel
Like Gifts From Above

Good Friends Are One In A Million.
Good Friends Are Stories To Share.
Good Friends Know The Path To YourHappiness,
And They Walk With You
All The Way There.
Good Friends Are Lives Overlapping.
Good Friends Are Laughter And Tears.
Good Friends Are Emotions So Deep
That The Trust Just Keeps Growing
Over The Years.
Good Friends Are Hard To Find.
Good Friends Are Easy To Adore.
And You've Been Such A Good Friend To Me...That I Could Ask For Nothing More.

Thanks for Being Such a Wonderful Friend”

-Anonymous

Anuj touched each and every one of us in one way or the other. Nearly 20,000 people have visited this blog put together in Anuj’s memory. Each one of these 20,000 people and their personal accounts with Anuj are a constant reminder of who Anuj was, is and will be.

We miss you today. Just like we have for the last 729 days.

"Good Deeds" always live on

2008-03-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds."

- Buddha

Your deeds and teaching will always be the guiding light for each and everyone you touched. You were there when we cried, when we laughed, when we needed encouragement and when we just need a good friend. We miss you as always, but we also know that you will always be there for us.

Anuj and Dad together in Boston. Summer, 2005.

Guiding Light in the New Year

2008-01-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

Memories are one of the most important treasures we share with family and friends. One of the fondest New Years memories of Anuj for his parents was his call to them at the stroke of 12 in the year 2000, the year that marked the turn of the millennium. Anuj being ever thoughtful, made it a point, to wish them a Happy New Year from MIT while his parents were still in India, on this once in a lifetime moment.

With the onset of the New Year and the fireworks lighting up the skies as we bid adieu to 2007 and welcome 2008, we are reminded of how Anuj is a shining star in the sky. He has left behind a legacy that inspires us to live by his example everyday. In the year 2008, it is our resolution to make his dreams come true and in turn keep his memory alive for years to come.

Anuj with Mom and Dad at Pebble Beach. December 2003.

Lights of Hope

2007-11-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Diwali – “The festival of lights” is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. The day also marks the start of a new year. People all over the world celebrate the day by decorating their houses with beautiful candles and oil lamps, sharing sweets, lighting firecrackers. And they hope that the New Year brings joy and prosperity for them and their loved ones. Anuj was always full of energy, and particularly enthusiastic around this time of the year. Be it decorating the house by putting up lights or going to buy sweets for the occasion, Diwali seemed to put extra exuberance into him--an energy that had a contagious effect on everyone around him.

Anuj continues to live inside each and every one of us. He continues to inspire us with his positive energy and hope as we step into a New Year.

Anuj holding a Sparkle. Diwali, 1988.

Anuj with Dad and Kapil. Diwali, 1993.

Plaque in Anuj's Memory

2007-11-05T22:25:00.000-08:00

Recently the Wharton Entrepreneurship Club honored Anuj by dedicating a plaque in his memory. The plaque was placed in their program office in honor of the contributions he made while serving as president of the club. Last year the club dedicated the 2006-2007 academic year in recognition of Anuj's unique and inspiring leadership. These gestures are a reminder of the tremendous impact Anuj had in his one, short year as part of the Wharton Community. The plaque reads as follows:

"Anuj Mohan
President of the Entrepreneurship Club
A warm and kind colleague and friend who gave so much to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him
We will miss you greatly,
The Wharton Community"

The plaque in honor of Anuj's many contributions to the Wharton community

Another image of the plaque dedicated to Anuj.

Some of the students and faculty who were in attendance when the plaque was put up in the office.

Trick-or-Treat

2007-10-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

We all know it's Halloween when one sees jack-o-lanterns, kids trick-or-treating, costume parties and haunted houses. For Anuj, Halloween meant doing all this and just having fun with friends and family. From carving pumpkins with Mom and Dad a couple of years ago, to dressing up in Army Rangers and Cub Scout costumes with his brother Neal back in Michigan, Anuj always looked forward to trick-or-treating and spreading happiness all around. I remember distinctly, talking to Anuj of an instance while he was still at MIT, where he along with his friends bought lots of candy and carved pumpkins for the underprivileged kids from the neighborhood so they could have a fun filled Halloween.

Once again we were witness to Anuj’s giving and helping nature for the entire community.

Anuj dressed up as a cub scout in Michigan. Halloween, 1982.

Anuj getting ready to go trick-or-treating with his brother Neal. Halloween, 1982.

"Vijay Dashmi" (The Victory of Good over Evil)

2007-10-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Anuj used to always be enthusiastic about celebrating various Indian festivals. "Vijay Dashmi" (The Victory of Good over Evil) also known as Dussehra was one of his favorite ones.

The festival is the celebration of Lord Rama's victory over evil. It is also believed that a venture started on this auspicious day is bound to be successful.

Today as the world celebrates this auspicios day, we are reminded of the memories we shared with Anuj during the festivities. Below are just a few glimpses of Anuj celebrating "Vijay Dashmi" with the rest of the family.

October, 1993.

October, 1992.

"In 9/11 remembrance, a turning to good deeds"

2007-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Anuj from the very beginning was a giver. He always believed that everyone had something to offer and all he or she needed to do was to look inside to find that giving nature. He was always ready to extend his hand out to anyone and everyone. His involvement with the National Kidney Foundation and Rebuilding Together were just a couple of examples of Anuj giving back to the community.

It was this deep rooted desire of Anuj's that inspired us to start the Anuj Mohan Scholarship Fund. He taught us a lot about life and this is one simple way of keeping his legacy alive for years to come.

Everyday we are presented with numerous opportunities to perform a good deed. An article published today in memory of 9/11 highlights how more and more people use today as a day to perform a good deed by making donations in various forms and getting involved in the betterment of soceity.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0910/p01s03-ussc.html

By Alexandra Marks
Published: September 11, 2007

NEW YORK - On Sept. 11, Jacob Sundberg of San Antonio has pledged to make eye contact and smile at everyone he meets. Kaitlin Ulrich will bring goody baskets to the police and fire departments in and around Philadelphia. And 100 volunteers from New York – 9/11 firefighters and family members among them – are going to Groesbeck, Texas, to rebuild a house destroyed by a tornado last December.

This is a minute sampling of the hundreds of thousands of people who have pledged to memorialize those killed on 9/11 by doing something good for others.

The heroic acts of all those killed trying to save others that September morning has spawned a growing grass-roots movement. The goal is to ensure that future generations remember not just the horror of the attacks, but also the extraordinary outpouring of humanity during the days, weeks, and months that followed.

"It was the worst possible day imaginable, and in some ways, a remarkable day, too, in the way in which people responded," says David Paine, cofounder of myGoodDeed.org. "We need to rekindle the way we came together in the spirit of 9/11: It would be almost as much a tragedy to lose that lesson."

Sept. 11 has inspired dozens of philanthropic efforts – from groups dedicated to building memorials to foundations designed to improve education in the Middle East. But myGoodDeed has a more universal goal: to turn 9/11 into a day dedicated to doing good – from small, simple things like Lisa Scheive's pledge to help stranded turtles cross the road in Pompano Beach, Fla., to lifesaving efforts, such as John Feal's decision in New York to donate one of his kidneys to help a seriously ill 9/11 worker.

The idea has been endorsed by members of Congress, and at myGoodDeed's urging, President Bush for the first time this year included a call for volunteering in his annual 9/11 proclamation.
After major disasters, Americans have historically tapped a deep reserve of compassion and reached out to others. But in the months and years that follow, those compassionate and civic urges tend to recede. Studies at Harvard's Saguaro Seminar on Civic Engagement in America found that in as few as five months after 9/11, most Americans had gone back to their daily lives and were not more engaged as they said they'd hoped to be. Part of the goal of turning 9/11 into a national day of service is to remind Americans of the inherent joy of giving and to hopefully spur volunteering and charitable acts throughout the year.

"I don't know of any research that's been done on one day of service, but studies have shown that people who do volunteering in high school are more likely to volunteer throughout their lives," says Thomas Sander, executive director of the Saguaro Seminar.

The idea of turning 9/11 into a day of service, charity, and good deeds came from the family and friends of one man: Glenn Winuk, a volunteer fireman and lawyer who worked a block and a half from the World Trade Center. After he helped evacuate his Broadway law offices, he grabbed a medic's bag and ran toward the smoke pouring from the South Tower. That's where his remains were found after the towers fell. Mr. Paine and Glenn's brother Jay had been friends for years. They decided that turning 9/11 into a day of service was best way to memorialize Glenn.

"It completely reflects the way my brother lived his life, and it also specifically reflects how he died," says Mr. Winuk, myGoodDeed.org cofounder. "He laid his life on the line for other people that day."

In 2002, Paine and Winuk sent e-mails to friends and family and suggested they do a good deed, such as donate a day's pay on 9/11. Then the idea evolved, and they founded myGoodDeed.org. In 2004, 100,000 visited their website and pledged to do a good deed on 9/11. This year, those pledging number more than 250,000.

"A lot of people don't know what to do on 9/11," says Paine. "This hits people in their heart and their soul. It connects with something that's fundamental."

The Immortality of Love

2007-06-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Unable are the loved to die
For love is immortality

- Emily Dickinson

Father's Day

2007-06-17T22:12:00.001-07:00

Anuj's Father's Day card for Dad. June, 2000.

June, 1983.

April, 1994.

December, 1998.

A Year is a Relative Thing

2007-06-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

"...When a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past... All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist. ...It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever."
- Kurt Vonnegut

We miss you today. Just like we have for the last 364.

A Walk in Downtown San Jose

2007-06-03T22:38:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Mom, Kapil and Hema participated in the National Kidney Foundation of Northern California's annual walk to raise funds for the organization, which is dedicated to raising awareness about kidney disease.

Dad and Anuj were active in the Foundation for several years. They volunteered their time at area dialysis centers, helped plan the annual walk, and then cheerfully staffed registration and other tables on the big day of the walk. They enlisted the whole family to help out as well.

This year, the Foundation recognized Dad and Anuj in promotional materials about the walk and then announced their names before the walk began in the Arena Green, a park in the middle of downtown San Jose, and then snaked around Market street. The dark morning clouds gave way to sunbursts and then a clear blue sky by afternoon, reminding us that Dad and Anuj were with us.

In their names, we walked and--with heavy hearts--remembered all that they had done to better the National Kidney Foundation and the world around them.

Better and Happier with Anuj

2007-05-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

- Mother Theresa

We came across this quote today, and it instantly reminded us of Anuj. He embodied the spirit of Mother Theresa's words completely. His gentleness, regard for other people's perspectives, and easy-going manner ensured that every interaction with Anuj--from a casual conversation to a deep exchange--left us feeling better and happier.

Memorial Day Trip

2007-05-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

Three years ago during the Memorial Day weekend, Anuj decided to take Mom and Dad on a vacation to Boston. They couldn't have asked for a better guide to be with than Anuj on this trip. Having spent 5 years in Boston and being well versed at what the city has to offer, Anuj organised the trip beautifully by covering the entire city over a span of 6 days. Not only did he take them to all the major landmarks that this historic city has, but he took them on an personalised tour of his Alma mater - MIT and they to also got to witness a Boston Red Sox baseball game where they enjoyed the famous "Fenway Dogs". Below are a few photographs from the trip:

On the Longfellow bridge.

Fenway Park.

The new Computer Science building at MIT.

Park Street Station.

At the robotic lab at MIT.

Graduation

2007-05-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

On May 13, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business held its 251st commencement ceremony where the Class of 2007 was conferred. Anuj was also among the graduating class as he was awarded the Masters of Business Administration degree posthumously. Today the family received the actual diploma along with the graduation program honoring Anuj, which you can see below.

"We had an exceptional day for Graduation this year - by far the best weather in years. I heard several people mention that the spirit of Anuj helped keep the clouds away."

-Kristi Aiello (Director of Student Life, Graduate Division, Wharton School of Business)

Mother's Day

2007-05-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is the day when all the mothers of the world are honored for helping us become who we are today. Anuj would almost always be the first one to wish Mom a "Happy Mother's Day" be it in person or over the phone and in the customary fashion would always take her out to brunch on this special day in May. Throughout the years, he showed his appreciation for Mom by giving her gifts that she could cherish for the rest of her life. Adjacent is a beautiful charm picture that Anuj painted at school for Mother's Day '83.

Anuj on Mom's Lap. Summer 1977.

Anuj with Mom in Michighan. Summer, 1979.

Anuj along with Mom and Dad. Summer, 1986.

Anuj with Mom on his return from MIT. Summer, 1997.

Anuj with Mom in front of the MIT Dome. Summer 2004.

A Day of Rememberance

2007-05-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

May 6, 2007, marks a bitter sweet day for us. While the news of Anuj being honored with a posthumous (MBA) degree from Wharton is being appreciated as a great honor, it also reminds of us of the day one year ago when Anuj landed in the bay area after having completed his first year at business school. The memories of that day come rushing back; his loving smile, his joy and enthusiasm and his stories of friends and experiences from the past year all fill our hearts and eyes with tears.

Anuj and his friends at Wharton Business School. Fall, 2006.

Anuj along with his Cohort at Business School. Spring, 2006.

Rumi's Inspiration and Ours

2007-04-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

There has been much written and disputed about the life of the great 13th century mystical poet Rumi. But by all accounts, Rumi had a dear friend named Shams of Tabriz. Together, Shams and Rumi explored spiritual teachings, gave each other tremendous strength, and shared a bond that changed their lives.

When Shams died, Rumi was so overwhelmed with grief that he channeled all of his sorrow into what is said to be a period of intense thinking. Through this mourning came some of Rumi's most famous works of poetry, including Diwan-i Shamsa, a collection of 30,000 verses that he dedicated to Shams.

Though he passed away many moons before Rumi, Shams was immortalized through Rumi's poems of love and devotion. Following is an excerpt:

The death of such a master is no little thing.
He was not chaff which flew on the wind,
He was not water which froze in winter.
He was not a comb which was broken with a hair,
He was not a seed which the earth crushed.
He was a treasure of gold in this dust-pit,
For he valued the two worlds at a barley-corn.
The earthly frame he flung to the earth,
Soul and intellect he bore to heaven.
The pure elixir mingled with the wine-dregs
Came to the jar's surface, and the lees settled apart.

Anuj continues to inspire us as Shams did Rumi. Out of our grief we hope will emerge many opportunities for young people to find their paths in life through higher education. It will be our poem of love to our dear Anuj.