Bhanu Pande, my dear friend and classmate from St. Francis College, Lucknow, was a vibrant soul whose presence lingers in my heart. From our school days up to class 10, we shared countless moments, but it was in the last seven or eight years of his life that our friendship deepened through long, heartfelt phone conversations. His sharp wit, humorous quips, and self-deprecating charm brought joy to every call, making those exchanges unforgettable.
Bhanu’s life was a beautiful blend of dedication and resilience. After leaving his role at The Economic Times, he thrived as a freelancer in New Delhi, lending his intellect to projects for media houses and think tanks. Yet, his true north was his son, Tanmay, whom he cared for with unwavering love and patience as Tanmay navigated life with autism. Bhanu’s devotion to Tanmay and his wife, Mona—a gifted author, blogger, and content writer—shaped his world, reflecting a quiet strength that inspired those around him.
Our conversations often drifted to nostalgic memories of St. Francis, especially our beloved English and Maths teacher, Mr. Robinson, and his infamous cane. Back then, Bhanu’s dramatic overreactions to those disciplinary moments sent the class into fits of laughter, turning fleeting pain into shared hilarity. Forty years later, those stories became cherished memories, ones Bhanu and many classmates recounted with warmth and fondness, a testament to the bonds forged in those school corridors.
We dreamed of escaping to the Kumaon hills, planning a trip that, sadly, never came to pass. Those unfulfilled plans, filled with laughter and promises of adventure, remain bittersweet. Bhanu’s sudden passing two years ago left an ache that persists. I miss his voice, his clever humor, and the light he brought to every moment. To Mona and Tanmay, now carving a new path near Hyderabad, know that Bhanu’s love and legacy endure in the memories we hold dear. Rest in peace, my friend—you are deeply missed.
