By Rajen Harshe

Professor of Political Science and PhD supervisor of Upamanyu's mum

I knew Apu as a baby boy with long ears and rather serious facial expression. In those days his mother Sumona was doing her doctoral thesis under my supervision. I treated Sumona like my own daughter and Apu like my grandson.
Most number of the times when Sumona came to my place; my children enjoyed playing with Apu.  He was, for his age, a thoughtful boy. Once he said his mother is younger than his father by a year and that she will always remain so!
I remember we celebrated Shantha Sinha's Padma award in my house. Shantha's grandchild Ajoy was only a few months old. It was now that Apu's turn to become a Dada really came up. He almost behaved like one and enjoyed playing with Ajoy. 
Sumona completed her doctorate and she went over to stay in the IIT quarters in New Delhi with her husband Ranjan.  I visited all of them and had a delicious dinner once.
Apu, by then, was a school going grown up boy. Once again, he struck me with his unusual mind. I think our common passion was cricket and Apu knew a lot about the game. Meeting him was always refreshing. He did not stay too long in this world but gave immense joy to all of us. Let us all celebrate his 30th birthday in the same spirit. Share our love, joy and care for him and each other so that we truly remember him.