About Nilesh Naik (Nilesh Dactarr)
If a group of friends of a person take a decision (Nirnai) to launch a website in his name, to keep his legacy alive after his untimely and sad demise, then that itself talks much about the person.
Even then, here I’ll make an honest attempt to put up few words about NiIesh whom we knew.
“Chal, chai peeke aate,” are probably the words I have heard most from my dear friend. Most of our wonderful conversations, debates and few healthy and unhealthy arguments cropped up while having tea.
But above everything, I would like to remember him as a person with helping hands irrespective how much he knew about the other person.
June 2011 is when I joined the organization where Nilesh was already working and I got an opportunity to work alongside him, in a different department. I had just moved to Mumbai and had already spent a decent amount, which I had carried, to settle down. And unfortunately, by end of that month I fell short by 8000 rupees. Back then, we were hardly 4-5 employees working for that start up. I just checked with Nilesh if he could lend me some money. We knew each other only for 2 weeks but he quickly transferred money to my account.
“Hope you’ll be able to manage,” I asked before taking the money from him.
“I am at room already and there’s hospital canteen. I have roommates if I need some money urgently, you just do not worry. Thu tera khayal rakh.”
That’s it, he trusted me and then on the friendship went stronger with each passing day.
My first conversation on politics with him did not go well as we had affinity towards different political parties. That was the day I understood very well that he had different thoughts on politics. But in the next few days on discussing various other topics, I realized that in almost every conversation, the points he brought into the conversation used to be of different perspectives altogether and none of us in the room would have thought of those.
With regards to work ethics, he had an unparalleled dedication, commitment and loyalty towards the organization he worked for. Even during breaks, our conversations used to be mostly on how to make the product better and how to improve our services.
While with friends and especially during trips, his presence assured in safety for all. He was not among those who only enjoyed the time out, but he always ensured every member in the trip was safe. He was someone who enjoyed pulling legs, but it used to be more fun to pull his legs though.
As a doctor, and being fondly called by us as “Nilesh Dactarr”, his way of doing social service without actually terming it as service, was by opening a free OPD service for the under privileged. And the important fact here is that he did by converting his own house into a free clinic. He never believed in charity and his views about charity, as already mentioned in another post, is something which prompted us to start the website, or precisely put, the decision (nirnai) to start the website.
Dear friend, your presence was always felt, and you had been with us, you are with us and you will be with us.
Though we still wonder why you left us so soon, we vow to keep your legacy alive for many more years to come.
