Archive for August, 2007:
I knew I could ALWAYS count on him
Akash was a real man. He was a true friend. His personality embodied loyalty, honor and respect. I met him randomly during college. Honestly, it was so natural I can’t even remember when it was exactly. All I know is that he was like a brother to me from the start. He was one of the few people on Earth I could trust with a secret. He would always seem concerned with what was going on in my life, regardless of what trials and pressures he was facing. Above all, what I respect most of my memories of Akash is the fact that he was willing to give of himself to help his friends. He was selfless. Unlike many of my friends, family and acquaintances, he would voluntarily give of himself if he thought someone was truly in need. Even though I never took him up on any offers, I always knew he was genuine about helping out. It felt good to have a friend like Akash, because in life there aren’t many people to count on. I knew I could ALWAYS count on him. For that, he will be missed sincerely.
Aubrey Flynn
His charisma and willpower to become the greatest
I had heard of Akash many times before but hadn’t met him until the day before the FSU SigRho interest group would go present to become recognized as a fraternity on campus. Going into the presentation in front of 100 people was scary, especially knowing that many fraternities and sororities got turned down in the past years in this council. We did our presentation as confident as we could, and now it was time for questions. Akash would be the best to answer the questions, as he was the southeast regional chair and knew the most about the fraternity. People gave us very direct and intimidating questions, yet Akash was so calm and cool to answer right back with such a positive attitude. I felt so confident that we would be accepted, and it was all due to Akash’s confidence at the presentation. I now knew why he was such a respected brother, known nationally by brothers for his charisma and willpower to become the greatest. I was heartbroken later on when I heard the news about him, but after recovering I am so proud to call him my brother, and to look up to him for courage and wisdom. I know he is watching over us, and very proud of our achievements at FSU. Here’s to one of the greatest brothers of Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc., Founding Father Pinata.
Fraternally,
Hemal Patel
The day he mentioned Sigma Beta Rho
I meet Akash during the spring of ’01. During that semester, we shared classes, but above all else we shared views about life, goals, dreams and a great friendship. What stood out the most about Akash was his confidence, charisma and courage. Akash was a dreamer and visionary. At the time, he was someone in search of a purpose, like so many of us. He was very interested in Greek life, but his nature was not that of a follower. Akash was a leader at heart. He aspired to become a founder of a brotherhood that would showcase his cultural background and that of others, while holding the principles that were close to him. The day he mentioned Sigma Beta Rho is when I knew Akash had found his calling. He became so focused and determined to make his dream a reality. It is not an easy task to establish a fraternity on campus, while handling hard engineering course, but to Akash ‘sky was the limit’. What made him different was the courage he possessed to follow what was true to his heart and the fire to keep going no matter the difficulties or struggles that laid ahead. I saw a side of him that was truly impressive and that became an inspiration. He transitioned from a visionary to a true leader right before my eyes, and what was even more impressive was that he still held a sense of humbleness and gratitude for many that helped him along the way. He shared his accomplishment with everyone and always kept unity in mind. This quality made him unique and charming to all that knew him. Never could I have possibly imagined the impact his actions took on so many people after that spring semester. Akash is an example of how anything we believe in can come true no matter the obstacles. As a friend he taught us that what’s more important in life is not how far you get, but how many people you touch and inspire along the way.
Carolina Sarmiento
Continue on your legacy and work
For the first time ever, I have received the opportunity to write a statement for someone quite dear to me and it saddens me that the person I am writing about is you. It has been months since your passing and it is now that I have learned to stand up firmly and move onwards to continue on your legacy and work towards the goal you had set. I cannot even begin to tell you how each day passes so quietly and impatiently awaiting for a call back from you. For the hours that we spoke, for the days of waiting patiently, to that day in August, nothing else had made sense expect the following:
Life, so swift and abrupt, takes such a toll of emotions that it is these times that makes us realize the importance of the people around us. For all that you have said, it is this that makes me who I am today. It is unbearable to live without your physical being around all of us, but it is your fond memories that make the dream of seeing you again reality. Consistency and the will power to never give up is what I have learned from you. Today and forever I can proudly say that Akash Kuruvilla, is my brother.
May your soul rest in peace.
In fraternal love,
Maulin Parikh
One of my favorite memories
I knew Akash for a brief three years, and it is a relationship that I will treasure throughout eternity because it is one of the best things that has ever been bestowed upon me. The impact that he made on me during that time was phenomenal, and he is irreplaceable. I know that I will never meet another person like him.
One of my favorite memories of Akash was created when we first met. We had just co-chaired an unprecedented event together and then went out to lunch at East-West Bistro in downtown Athens, Georgia the following day. During our outdoor lunch, he saw our waitress collecting half-empty water pitchers from the neighboring tables. She then poured the pitchers out onto a tree. I noticed that Akash was watching and assumed he was just checking her out, but then he turned to me and said, “You know she has to be a good person.” When I asked why, he said it was because she could have poured the pitchers out anywhere, but she chose to water the tree. It amazed me that he could see something good in a person that he barely knew.
Akash always searched for the good in people, and his heart was so powerful that I and many others couldn’t help but be influenced to do the same. It didn’t matter to him if you were a lifelong friend or a waitress that he knew only in passing. He treated you with the respect that every human deserves, and he had a gift of detecting goodness in everyone. I once told him that he was “so cool,” and he questioned my remark, asking what it meant; if it meant that you had money or you wore the right clothes or had a lot of friends. And if that was all “cool” meant, then he didn’t want to be cool because it was way more important to have a good heart. Akash had a great heart that he put into everything he did and shared with everyone he encountered. I’m so lucky and blessed to have been one of those people.
The greatest thing that Akash ever said to me was that he wanted God to give him some angels so that he could do God’s work on earth. Despite my grief, I find some comfort in knowing that he not only got those angels, but he also got to become one. It’s always been Akash’s nature to take that extra step, and now that humble man that was a dear friend to many is now a guardian angel and legend to all of us.
Today although he has passed, I still possess the memories and life lessons that he graciously gave me during the times we shared together. With the memory of Akash forever in my heart, I am encouraged and eternally inspired to keep his dream alive and to be the best person that I can possibly be.
Melissa Montenegro
He has become an angel
I had the great privilege and honor of knowing Akash for over six years. He was not only my boyfriend, but also my best friend. Akash was such a wonderful individual who left an impact on every person that he ever met. It didn’t matter whether you knew him for a few minutes or years, he had a way of leaving a lasting impression. His charisma and beautiful smile lit up a room. He was very ambitious and motivated; nothing was impossible for him and everything was worth a try. He was a great leader with many dreams and goals. He was always looking for causes to get involved with and different ways to get others motivated as well. If anyone called on him for help, he would do whatever he could, in a heartbeat, without any hesitation. He was a loving son, brother, friend, and boyfriend, always unselfish and willing to sacrifice himself in order to help others.
I’m grateful to have shared my life with him for over six years because now that he is gone, I have a lifetime of memories that I will always hold close to my heart. Soon after we began dating Akash took me to Jacksonville to meet his parents and sister. They welcomed me into their home during that first visit, and embraced me as part of their family. He was terrified when he met my family for the first time, since I have 5 brothers, but he did it anyway. He had me teach him Spanish so he could talk to my parents and immediately won them over.
Throughout the course of the years we shared many good times together, and some not so good, but those only brought us closer together. We had no secrets between us and we knew each other better than anyone else. Akash was always doing little things to make me happy. When I couldn’t sleep at night, he would stay up on the phone with me until I fell asleep. After a silly argument, he sent me flowers for a week straight to tell me he was sorry and loved me. He watched Armageddon with me so many times, that he came to call it “our movie”. Each time I would cry at the end and he would always say, “Don’t cry baby girl, I’m here” and then he’d hug me like he would never let go. He learned the theme song by Aerosmith and surprised me for my birthday by serenading me. We would spend hours playing Risk together or I’d watch him play video games; no matter what it was we always enjoyed each other’s company. Whenever I was feeling down or upset, he knew exactly what to say to make me feel better.
Now that Akash has left us, we have to hold on to our memories and remember him as the great guy he was. He has become an angel, and I know that he watches over us every day. It’s not easy, but we must live our lives, remembering everything that he taught us through his example. He was a great role model with a contagious laugh. Instead of tears, keep a smile on your face, just like he always did. He may be gone, but will never be forgotten. His friends and family will keep him alive always.
Monica Raya
I’ll never forget the day
Akash once promised that his hand would always be mine to hold – and I still believe him. Very few people on this earth are invincible until the end of time. In a mere 26 years, Akash was able leave irreplaceable memories and deeds that will engrain his existence for all of time.
I’ll never forget the day I looked up, and to my surprise saw Akash’s face. Our first five minute conversation left me in awe with his name and laugh chiming in my head. Fours years later, I remember him as not only my first love but as someone who touched my soul. Setting my eyes on Akash helped me let go of my past and introduced me to the second phase in my life – being an adult. Nothing but perfection was acceptable for Akash. His standard of life pushed me to my limits and taught me that settling or second best doesn’t exist – which changed the character of my life forever. His ideal vision of me was always being savvy in a business suit. He provided me the confidence by recounting the first day he saw me; he said he just had an eye for these things – he believed in me.
Akash was always fond of his name. One day he asked me what mine meant in hindi and followed to tell me that his meant the ‘Sky’. He was a firm believer that a name had a lot to do with your character as a person. Nothing is more unforgettable, more memorable, or bigger than the sky. Akash was driving one day and said to me “you’ll realize one day – Before me there were many, after me there will be none, I am the one”. After his passing I realize that he is the one and can never be replaced. Just like the sky is ever lasting and invincible so are Akash’s memories. Akash was right, his hand will always be mine to hold – I’ll look up at the ‘sky’ for his guidance and love; our memories are frozen until the end of time.