Jaydeep Biswas (Westcottian Classmate):
Saibal Baroi. A very dear friend. A lot of us called him by his nick name, Buban. Two characteristics defined Saibal - he was ever smiling and ever helpful. From a young age, he was always willing to lend his hand to help others, at the cost of his own time and work. I saw this growing up in Ranchi. He never much cared for his own well being. Though he was stylish when time came. Liked to dress up. Cooked amazing meals for friends. Loved good music. He joined social work as a professional but his social work was in his everyday life. He wanted to help everyone in distress. Above all he was a decent human being. Never the one to bicker and back bite. He was a friend’s friend. A royal friend. Always available to anyone who called. Night or day. He was as good as they come. A good Man.

Samit Basu Mallik (Fellow Westcottian):
I had never ever expected to write a memoir of a school friend who was a year junior to me at Bishop Westcott Boy’s School, Namkum, Ranchi. Saibal was a long lost friend from the school days, whom I have probably met only a couple of times in our adult life. But the news of his passing away came as a shattering blow. A real bolt from the blue that completely ravaged me! The pain was particularly excruciating when I later learnt from other friends that he had spent his last couple of months in a locality that is so close to my residence in Kolkata.

With Saibal no more in our midst, in terms of mundane existence, the faint memories that I have of him from the school life are very precious. I remember Saibal being a shy and introverted lad who stood behind the front liners but always wore a charming smile on his face. He exuded a beaming radiance that was infectious. I shall forever remember his smiling face filled with spirit and humour and miss his association, as we could have soon met up and chatted endlessly over coffee; the quintessential Bengali adda which he loved. I am sure his family will have everlasting memories of the wonderful years they spent together.

Thanks to Facebook, I could keep track of his exceptional career in the social development sector combined with glimpses of his personal life. It also became the platform where we wished each other occasionally on our common birthdays. His professional contribution has changed the lives of many living on the margins in India. It is a great loss for the sphere as a true, dedicated, and professionally trained pro-development warrior was snatched away by nemesis so brutally, so untimely and so unexpectedly. But Shakespeare had reminded us of this, ages ago: “As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport”. Hence we have no other option than to acquiesce to this finality.

His friends, colleagues and family were truly fortunate to have such a person in their lives. I sincerely believe he has already embarked on another journey which shall be equally eventful and glorious as it was on this earth. His mortal remains may have perished but his immortal spirit shall enshroud us and continue to inspire us in the days to come. Saibal has left behind a legacy which we ought to celebrate and enrich. It is a legacy of selflessness, compassion, warmth, lasting friendships, decency, lending a hand for help and I could go on and on teary-eyed.

My family and I join in prayers for the departed soul and express our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. We feel so sorry for not being able to attend his last journey and be with his family amid such strange and unprecedented times due to the pandemic.

know nothing can comfort this heart-wrenching feeling but life must go on. Hope Saibal’s family, friends and relatives will find inner strength to sustain them and console others. I am reminded of T. S. Eliot’s famous lines to keep the faith:

People change and smile: but the agony abides. / Time the destroyer is time the preserver.

Anindita Pattanaik (Family Friend):
I knew Saibal (Buban) from 1999. I had heard so much about him from Jaydeep ( my husband) before our wedding and used to appreciate his helpfulness for others. I find it extremely difficult to write a tribute for him.

Buban was a very fine human being. Always ready to help others at any point of time. We had so much fun meeting him in Ranchi, Kolkata and CR Park, Delhi. He was always genuine and reassuring about his willingness to help. Buban was always lively and cheerful. He was particularly responsible towards children and was sensitive to their needs. For my children, Buban uncle would bring goodies with him and would go out to play with them always. He was so caring for our elders that he would go out of his way to make them feel special.

He lived his life happily. We as a family will stand with Purba and Ronan as they come to terms with their loss.

Miss you Buban

Sanjay Jain(Westcottian Schoolmate):
I left Ranchi in 1987, I remember Saibal as an unassuming guy and remember hanging out with him alongside Sunil Rudra and Ajay Sinha. Childhood friends always have a way to connect and I did speak to him a few times in recent years. Saibal will always be etched in my childhood memories, may his soul rest in peace and his family find the strength to bear his loss.

Bijit Roy (College Friend):
Saibal/ Buban was a friend like no other, going out to be there/ help/supportas very few would even possibly imagine. A testimony is my first day at XISS in 1996- when Saibal intervened while I was being pulled up (can’t say ragged) mentioning he knew me quite well and I was let off by the seniors. The reality was that we had just met a few minutes ago over a smoke. That’s how our friendship began, along with Saurabh, his brother, who was my batch mate. Our friendship grew over the years, especially after Saibal came to Delhi.

We had our Ranchi boys gang comprising Jaydeep, Aniruddha, Amrendra and others. We would meet or bump into Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) once in a while and Saibal would be there with his folks over a long chat/adda- discussing all under the blue sky. That place haunts me as so his memories…. the chai coming as soon as we greet… I think that was the unsaid communication with the tea shop. Saibal, so positive; even while he was leaving for Kolkata- excited being back to his old city and especially home… connected to his roots and friends most dear to him. Saibal invested a lot of his time in nurturing relationships even with youngsters. Many consulted him on a range issues… personally I found it very unusual and out of place, especially in a place like Delhi. This is what made Saibal special and dear to all, an extremely rare attribute. Will dearly miss you my friend and your warm big smile that you greeted us all with. That’s what I will remember you for. Rest in Peace.

Andrea Rodericks (Former Colleague):
I first met Saibal at CARE India, where he was leading the organisation's advocacy work. As we attempted to shape our strategy to focus on Adivasi and Dalit communities, Saibal proved to be an invaluable resource, bringing knowledge, networks, passion, and sincerity to this work. When I left the organisation, he was one among a few people I remained in touch with. We 'whatsapped' every now and then – not frequent, but nice, random messages and updates. I would sometimes tell him what I was working on and he would update me on program developments of which he was particularly proud. In the course of our various interactions, Saibal and my mother began interacting on Facebook... first just liking each other's posts, then commenting farily regularly. When I spoke with Saibal a few weeks before he passed, he asked me for my mother's telephone number so that they could some day have a proper chat with her.

I remember Saibal's message when Ronan got admission to St. Xavier's in Kolkata. He was brimming with pride and so happy. He wanted to do everything he could to support Ronan's transition to college. And like with everything else he did, this too he pursued with dedication, love, enthusiasm, and persistence. It is difficult to come to terms with his sudden loss. I send prayers and love to Sraboni, Ronan, others in Saibal's family, and to his close friends and colleagues.

Rest in peace dear Saibal! Thank you for your inspiration and friendship.

Shreela Baroi (Niece):
Jethu(Saibal Baroi) was the strongest pillar in our family. He was a source of positivity, motivation, affection and joy for everyone around him. His jovial face and his broad smile will always be etched in every person's mind who met him even once. He was a selfless and righteous gentleman who helped numerous people in his life. He dedicated his life for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of our society. His selflessness and willingness to help people around him inspired me immensely. He was indeed a true gem and an angel who was too good for this world. Honestly, I still can't fathom the fact that he is no more around us. Even now when I hear my father talking to someone on the phone, just for a fraction of a second, I think that it might be Jethu, but then reality hits me hard. I don't know if I will ever be able to accept this truth or not. Ronan and I are of the same age and I just wish my brother and my Jethima stay strong and get the best in their lives. Jethu will forever be amongst us, in our hearts, in our thoughts, in our memories, and in our selfless actions. I am proud to be his niece and I solemnly promise to carry forward his legacy of selflessness and righteousness.

We love you Jethu. We always will.

Sudipto Banerjee (Friend's brother):
'Bubanda', as I called him, was my elder brother's friend. Yet, Bubanda was both brother and friend to me. Having known him since my childhood, I have innumerable memories of him. Later when he shifted to Delhi (C.R.Park), like true Bengalis we had infinite adda sessions, which began reminiscing stories from Ranchi and stretched up to the future of the planet. Spending time with him was comforting and the age difference never existed. So many days have passed, yet his absence appears to be unreal and unbelievable. Since he always stood for friendship and helped others, if we could practice these values in our life, that would be the best way to remember Bubanda forever.

Saugata BANERJEE (Friend):
I knew 'Buban' (Saibal's nick name) from our days in Westcott. Though he was elder to me by a few years and I am actually his younger brother's friend but I was extremely close to him. He was an epitome of being "Social". Always ready to help others at any cost. We grew up together in the same colony and there are like zillions of nice memories - playing cards, carrom board, gully cricket, watching movies together on rented VCRs, organising Kali Pujo etc etc. Even when we started working we kept in touch and whenever I used to be in Delhi, we will try to meet up for dinner or at least speak on the phone. Buban was an extremely down to earth person and extremely sociable. When my parents used to stay in C.R.Park in Delhi, he used to regularly go visit them and enquire about their health and well being. In today's fast-paced world not many individuals have time for others but then Buban was always different. Its been a few months since he left us but I am still to reconcile to this fact. His absence will be felt forever.

Buban, wherever you are today, we all miss you and your memories and kind deeds will always be cherished.