Thomas D ( @tom3357 ) is one of those MSians whom I had interacted in my initial days on MS. As we know, good and long lasting relationships develop between like-minded people only, this relationship has taken shape since then and despite myself being hyper-active on the forum and Tom sir being comparatively very less active here (due to busyness and personal life problems), the bond got stronger with time. When I came to know that he's also at Hyderabad (like me), naturally a desire emerged in my heart to meet him in person. Since June 2010, I have met many MSians in person and therefore, it was natural for me to feel that when both of us live in the same city, why shouldn't we meet ? I discussed it with Tom sir over phone and many times, it was decided to meet as soon as possible. However everything happens only when its destined hour has arrived. So that hour arrived yesterday (07.04.2011) at around 11.30 a.m. when Tom sir took the pains to visit my residence at BHEL township, Lingampalli, coming all the way from Baalanagar using two different buses. He did not use own conveyance to cover that distance (of around 30 and odd kilometres) which was a correct decision because it was too hot in Hyderabad during the first half of the day (afternoon was cloudy with a bit of rainfall).
I had got a call from him in the morning clarifying that we could meet in the first half of the day. Though it's a working day for me, I decided not to let this opportunity slip from my hands and requested him to proceed for this place. I managed to be out of my office for some time during the day to meet him (the office and the residence both are in the BHEL township and the distance between them is barely two kilometres). It took Tom sir around two hours in reaching me from his place. However the wait ended and the long overdue meeting which we had been awaiting for more than one and a half years, finally took place.
Tom sir spent around one hour at my quarter. We talked on a number of issues. However, most of these issues were general and interestingly, we talked very less regarding MouthShut_Official. Since both of us are like-minded sensitive people with a humanitarian approach towards life, our talks touched different topics of common-interest including religion, the painful division of minds of the Indian masses and the humanity in general. The clock ticked fast and an hour seemed to have passed within a fillip. He did not opt for lunch and we took tea and snacks only. Finally, when I dropped him on the bus stand outside the BHEL township check post, I was able to understand the pains taken by him in meeting me. With a strong will only, such things become possible and Tom sir possesses a strong inner personality within his lean-built physique. With my hearty Easter wishes to him and others, I wish to meet him again in future and am glad that I met an humanity-soaked MSian whom I have always admired and adored.
