Saibal De, Nilima De 29th December 2024

Lots of fond memories with AmalKaku over the years our family has known him. He had this gift of maintaining unique relationships with my dad, my mum and myself separately as well as together. Always sociable and seeking to fulfil his intellectual curiosity, he would come and meet up with erudite friends and cousins arriving from India on visits and then take them home with him for more in-depth conversations. Despite his seniority he would be at complete ease with the younger generation and make the effort to keep in touch with friends he met through ourselves, and likewise they with him. Some of our treasured possessions include the lovely heartfelt compliments to my mum by email for her hospitality and warmth for simple acts such as taking him home-cooked food. He never took anything for granted and was always grateful for everything he received. When I was on my own in London he would unfailingly check in on me and often take me out for a meal, while being very self-conscious of the fact that he was not quite as well-placed to be the expert hostess that mum was, having been fortunate enough to have him over to our house in Calcutta as well as here over the years. I was privileged to listen to his well-researched lectures, attend his fundraising quizzes and enjoy seeing mum trying to do a little matchmaking on the side too, which however never really quite hit the mark! I am lucky to have known AmalKaku and learnt so much from him in knowledge, been inspired by his wisdom and humility, and reminded of the importance of maintaining relationships with regular diligent social contact.